Student Financial Planning Graduate Counselor - High Point University

High Point University’s Student Financial Planning Counselor provides services to current and prospective students and their families on all financial aid related matters including federal, state, private and institutional loans, grants, and scholarships. This position helps our students, and their families secure the necessary funding needed to finance their education from acceptance to graduation while adhering to all necessary federal, state and institutional regulations and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience and Training:

• Minimum two years of experience involving financial aid awarding or
• Bachelor’s degree in business, human service, or counseling

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies
• Knowledge of the various types of financial aid available
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial information in a wide variety of situations.
• Ability to exercise independent thought and judgment in difficult and/or complex situations with little to no supervision and under tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of integrated computer systems and web-based technology
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to appropriately handle highly sensitive, confidential family financial information. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Counsel students and parents on all financial aid matters
• Award federal, state, private and institutional loans, grants, and scholarships according to federal and state regulations and institutional policies
• Analyze each family situation, determine the financial aid options available and explains options to the family. 
• Manages application process from start to finish for his or her assigned group of students.
• Manage the financial aid process and interactions with designated population of prospective students and families to positively impact students’ decisions to attend the University.
• Examines all application materials for accuracy and completeness and performs federal verification according to federal regulations.
• Handles overall financial aid awarding functions including, but not limited to, import and evaluation of FAFSA information, packaging, loan certification and origination, federal verification and refund calculations. 
• Conducts research as necessary to respond to inquiries and resolve problems that may arise during the financial aid process.
• Determines award adjustments in appropriate situations and documents all such decisions in students’ files.
• Determines appropriate corrective actions independently within established guidelines and implements or refers for action as appropriate.
• Maintains positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating effectively with students, students’ parents, faculty, co-workers and managers.
• Timely completion of award packages, return calls and email correspondence.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Maximizes student enrollment and retention through effective financial planning and counseling while awarding financial aid in accordance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies.
• Staying current on federal, state and institutional regulations and policies

TERM:

• Full Time
• Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (some weekends for special events)

For more information about his position, please contact Sandra Norris, Senior Associate Director of Student Financial Planning at snorris@highpoint.edu