Counselor, Financial Aid - Denver, United States - FortLewis

Description

Position Summary:

The Financial Aid Counselor serves as part of a team of Financial Aid Counselors that provide instruction and counseling to parents and students regarding student financial aid policies and procedures.

Financial aid counseling covers federal, state, institutional and private regulations and guidelines that govern the administration of financial aid.

The regulations are complex and constantly changing; therefore, there is substantial ambiguity that requires the counselor to utilize a broad array of reference and resource information to ensure accurate and in-depth information.

This position requires an understanding of a wide variety of information from multiple sources and offices to provide quality counseling and advising.

Job Description:

Managing work-study program, which includes: fund management, ensuring hourly pay and federal requirements related to work-study funds are met, the development, notification, and data entry of work-study contracts, tracking and updating of job descriptions, collaborating with Human Resource department and Payroll department on student employment, which includes trouble shooting time sheet issues with students and/or supervisors.

Collaborating with Controller's Office on a regular basis to balance all work-study program funds

Processes all merit scholarships and adjusts student aid as needed, including renewals and cancellations.

Assists Assistant Director as the financial aid liaison between Fort Lewis College and external scholarships partners, including but not limited to: Colorado Gear-Up, Daniels Fund, Gates, and Denver Scholarship Program.

Processes awards, completes reporting requirements, and attends

trainings/information

sessions as needed

Reviews National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) discrepancy report on a weekly basis

Assist with ensuring that information on the office website, forms, and printed publications, are accurate and updated and that federal regulations are being met

Updates paper financial aid forms as necessary for each aid year

Processes Dependent and Employee Tuition Reduction benefit forms

Manages Slate ticket software by routing tickets to appropriate counselor

Reviews National Clearinghouse error reports and submits corrections on NSLDS

Manages Federal Pell grant program, which includes originating and reporting Pell grant disbursements, monthly account balancing, Pell Lifetime Limit reports, and keeping abreast of all Pell processing procedures

Processes summer financial aid requests which requires calculating summer aid, producing and mailing summer award letters, and modifying awards as needed

Conducts transfer monitoring processes weekly

Manages virtual fax machine and routes/scans faxes to appropriate counselorr

Corresponds with prospective, new, and continuing students, and parents, as well as other department personnel about financial aid, via telephone, texting, email or in person

Provides direct financial aid counseling and instruction to current and prospective students and parents about all aspects of financial aid processes

Processes verification paperwork on students in caseload, which includes reviewing tax documents and other paperwork received to ensure that it meets Federal Aid and IRS requirements and resolving all conflicting information

Keeps current with U.S. Department of Education regulations to improve aid applications and methods of processing

Scans all processed paperwork into imaging software, as well as maintains organized records

Maintains desk procedural manuals, specifically related to job duties

Assists with on and off campus financial aid events, as needed

Represents themselves, the office, and the college in a positive and professional manner to all students, families, and personnel on and off campus

Attends in-person and/or on-line professional development opportunities as requested by Director

Maintains a broad working knowledge of all financial aid procedures to serve as backup processor to essential functions as needed

Process Tech rental requests

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities

Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.

Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Previous experience providing customer service to students and/or families
Previous experience interacting with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students and/or families

Must not be in default on a Federal Direct Loan or owe an overpayment on federal grant funds with the U.S.

Department of Education

Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in Higher Education, preferably in departments within Enrollment Management or Financial Aid
Experience with Banner and/or higher education software programs (i.e. ARGOS, AcademicWorks, Perceptive)
Knowledge of IRS tax regulations regarding individual federal tax returns
Experience working with scholarship programs and outside scholarship agencies
Compensation
T he salary range for this position is $19.71 per hour (Annualized 40,997),

plus a

comprehensive benefits package

.
Application Process

A complete application packet includes:
Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position.

Resume

Names and contact informationfor three current, professional references.

Application materials received by April 15, 2024, will receive full consideration.
The position will remain open until filled.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado's premier public undergraduate research institution.

With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC's academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals.

A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see.

Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
The Fort Lewis College is required by

the Clery Act

of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report.

The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989.

This report contains information about:
Fort Lewis College's alcohol and other drug policy
Sexual assault policy
Campus security policies
Campus/community resources
The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
Where to find registered sex offender information
Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
Reporting crimes

The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at:

Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at
Equal Opportunity

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.

Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons.

The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff.

The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See

Discrimination Questions?
Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone, Director of Compliance
192 Education Business Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301

Questions about Title IX sex

discrimination?
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Kate Suazo, Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
230 Skyhawk Station
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, Colorado 81301

Information about Fort Lewis College's alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Hard copies are available upon request.

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment.

To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone or email

at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation.

You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

About us

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education.

Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest.

We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning.

Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds.

Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere.

Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas.

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