Financial Aid Counselor
Job Description
Nicholls State University adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal civil rights laws and regulations that are applicable to this agency. Therefore, no one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972); disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or age (Age Discrimination Act of 1975) in attaining educational goals and objectives and in the administration of personnel policies and procedures. Anyone with questions regarding this policy may contact Alison Hadaway, SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources at 985-448-4041 / alison.hadaway@nicholls.edu / P.O. Box 2105, Thibodaux, LA 70310. For anyone needing ADA Accommodations, please contact Brian Clausen, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at 985-448-4783 / brian.clausen@nicholls.edu
Position Details
Individually counsels prospective and enrolled students about financial aid by personal conference, phone, mail, or email.
Staffs the customer service center of the office to ensure quality service is provided in an effective and efficient manner. Provides support and guidance for student employees assisting in the customer service area of the office.
Provides support to financial aid staff in all areas of the office to ensure accurate dissemination of information to students and parents.
Completes the financial aid application by entering the correct figures through examination of complex and sensitive financial records including, but not limited to, federal tax return transcripts and schedules, income earned from work, pension/annuities, child support, social security benefits and other untaxed income provided by the student and/or parent.
Requires knowledge and understanding of the federal government rules and regulations.
Identifies and resolves discrepancies in self-reported information by the student against actual documentation and electronically submitting these corrections to the Department of Education.
Prepares the file for review by organizing the documents for accuracy and completeness. Ascertains that all required documentation submitted by the student is sufficient and adequate. Any discrepant or inconsistent information must be verified.
Evaluates college grade transcripts to determine Title IV eligibility based on institutional Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Makes sure that initial and continuation requirements for SAP Standards are met and maintained.
Performs complex calculations manually and independently to originate the financial aid package. These calculations are based on the cost of attendance less other aid received in order to determine the students’ remaining need for Title IV funds. Reviews student requests for increases in their financial aid package.
Analyzes loan data from the National Student Loan Data System to ensure that the student qualifies for certification of the requested loan amount based on annual and aggregate loan limit eligibility set by the federal government, Pell Grant overpayment or loan default status.
Oversees/maintains documentation for special programs (consortium agreements, study abroad, EMBA Program, etc.). Consults with Director to establish special budgets and to determine eligibility for Title IV aid.
Verifies class attendance by contacting instructors, if needed, to determine aid eligibility for students who have resigned or dropped classes.
Works closely with the Registrar in monitoring aid packages for financial aid recipients enrolled in previously passed repeated courses and accelerated courses.
Awards other special need based funding as received from the federal or state agency (example: Louisiana Go Grant, Completers Grant, etc.).
Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
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