POSITION SUMMARY:
Financial Aid Counselors at Columbia College are responsible for packaging federal, state, and institutional aid, maintaining contact with students regarding missing or incomplete paperwork, verification, and assuring quality control of all files worked with. Counselors work with all grants, scholarships, and loan programs rather than working as a specialist in a specific skill set. Counselors report to the Director of Financial Aid.
 
DUTIES OF FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR:
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

1. Assists the Director and Assistant Director of Financial Aid in counseling students, and maintaining and securing files for individual students who apply for financial aid.
2. Assists in daily processing of financial aid applications and in the distribution of information to those who request it in the various administrative offices.
3. Packages aid for both prospective and returning students. Each counselor, for those students assigned, will award federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as federal and external loans.
4. Completes verification where necessary to finalize aid awards.
5. Makes financial awards in a timely and efficient manner so that students’ questions concerning financial aid, including phone inquiries, are answered promptly and accurately.
6. Creates within the financial aid office a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.
7. Participates in professional organizations and in personal professional development activities, attending appropriate meetings, workshops and seminars as approved and assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.
   

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• A Bachelor's degree and minimum two (2) years of experience in a higher education, financial aid environment are required.
• Direct Lending experience is not necessary, but PowerFaids experience preferred.
• Basic computer proficiency and operational knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Must have exemplary people skills to interact with students and parents.
  

Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties of the position at any time.

If interested in applying, provide application and resume´ with cover letter: Also, for Federal and State reporting purposes only, please complete the attached Affirmative Action form and send to Donna Quick, Director of Financial Aid at dquick@columbiasc.edu. 'Counselor- Job Application' should be used as the subject line in all submissions. Review of resumes will begin January 17, 2012.

EOE M/F/D/V

 

Application and Affirmative Action form