Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Colorado

Department Information

The Financial Aid Department is a comprehensive provider of financial aid and student employment services to prospective and current students. Financial Aid assures compliance with federal and state regulations for eligibility for financial aid and administration of financial aid programs.

CSU Pueblo is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship that elevates our people and our community, creates educational opportunities, fosters unique collaborations, and supports inclusion, access, and affordability as a gateway to the world.

Description of Job

The Financial Aid Counselor is the primary provider of customer service to students seeking financial aid at CSU Pueblo. This position is stationed in the Financial Aid front office. This position will answer inquiries from prospective and current students by telephone, walk-in visits, and e-mail. Private office space is available for meetings with sensitive subject matter or for projects requiring greater focus. This position will raise statewide and regional awareness of CSU Pueblo and financial aid through traditional workstation communication methods as well as attending school visits, and college fairs. The person in this position will work with current students to promote financial aid opportunities, including CSU Pueblo-specific funding, outside/private scholarships and resources including their application procedures. They will disseminate financial literacy information via live presentations and traditional workstation communication methods. Additionally, they will counsel students and parents on all aspects of financial aid. This position also informs students about electronic financial aid processes, including applying for financial aid and use of Personal Access to Web Services (PAWS).

Primary Duties
Counseling/Advising

• Advise current and prospective students and families on all aspects of financial aid. This position will advise students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs; educational costs; and financial management strategies including loans, financing options, and other financial aid related matters.
• Counseling includes application review, advocating for utilization of Personal Access to Web Services (PAWS), entering Banner system data updates, and troubleshooting issues and conflicting information.
• While counseling students, the Student Financial Services Counselor will be required to adhere to federal laws, regulations and policies concerning federal student aid.

• This position will process financial aid applications and corrections. This includes reviewing documents for accuracy, calculating and determining financial need and aid to be awarded, and generating award changes.

• Promote CSU Pueblo in schools located in Colorado, concentrating efforts in the southeastern region. This includes school visits, evening and/or weekend presentations, college fairs, and other appropriate appearances throughout Pueblo and the southern Colorado region.

• Increase current and prospective student awareness of Financial Aid policies and procedures, including the financial aid application process, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and their relationship to academic and enrollment policies and procedures. Position will deliver on-campus presentations and will coordinate efforts toward awareness of money management and financial literacy.

• Update and maintain Financial Aid website to ensure that information is current, accurate, and that links are working properly. Review financial aid/scholarship information on other CSU Pueblo web pages and coordinate updates and corrections with page owners as needed.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent)
• Experience working with Microsoft Office products
• Willing and able to travel as necessary to complete job duties
• Willing and able to work normal hours of operation and additional hours as business necessitates. Hours may include some evening and/or weekend hours.
• Experience engaging in tactful and effective customer service
• Experience with, or commitment to, working with a diverse workforce and serving diverse client groups

• Knowledge of financial aid, debt management.
• Knowledge of how to appropriately handle and maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive student and family financial information.
• Skills to identify problems and research for solutions and/or answers.
• Experience creating and delivering presentations.
• Experience working in higher education and/or financial aid
• Experience with credit counseling.

Supplemental Information

All interested candidates must apply through the on-line application system. No other format of application materials will be accepted.

Applicants must attach the following documents, in order to be considered for this position:

• 
  a letter of intent (cover letter)
• a current resume or CV
• unofficial or official transcripts showing required degree conferred

• Medical and prescription insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible benefit plan
• Basic term life insurance
• Voluntary term life and AD&D lnsurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Travel accident insurance
• Voluntary critical illness and accident insurance
• Annual and sick leave
• Retirement plans
• Employee and dependent tuition discounts
• State employee discounts via BenefitHub