Financial Aid Counselor - Omaha, United States - Methodist Health System

Description

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care - a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It's helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient's needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:
Location: Methodist College
Address: 720 N. 87th St. - Omaha, NE

Work Schedule: Full time, Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm, occasional evenings and weekends

The Financial Aid Counselor provides excellent customer service and guidance to financial aid applicants and their families throughout the financial aid application cycle; determines eligibility within the parameters of institutional, state and federal requirements; contributes to department and college goals and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities:
Essential Job Functions

1. Customer Service/Enrollment Support:

• Provide high quality customer service, counseling and advice to financial aid applicants and their families on financial aid eligibility and the application process, including in person, phone, email and video conferencing. Participate in student visit days, CARE Days, and other in person and virtual recruiting events.
• Must have thorough knowledge of types of financial aid available, costs, financing options, outside scholarships and general student eligibility criteria. Utilize conflict resolution skills, patience, tact and empathy in communicating information about processes and outcomes.

2. Program Operations/Compliance:

• Exercise independent, professional judgment in the management of all operational details of the financial aid process for a particular portion of the Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) student body.
  • Review and evaluate financial aid applications and supporting documentation, interpret tax forms and schedules, identify and resolve conflicting information.
  • Research and compile information from numerous institutional and federal databases to determine eligibility.
  • Determine amount/configuration of aid packages in compliance with institutional, state and federal regulations and policies.
  • Prepare and send notifications of financial aid offers.
  • Has authority to modify financial aid packages in response to new information or changes in eligibility.
  • Transmit award and disbursement information to other NMC departments, the State of Nebraska, the US Department of Education or other entities as appropriate.
  • Amidst frequent interruptions, complete work with a high degree of accuracy to ensure compliance and maintain data integrity.
  • Attention to detail is vital as errors in judgment or calculations could result in adverse consequences for the student and NMC.
  • Coordinate National Student Loan Data System for Students (NSLDS) transfer monitoring.
• Import Institutional Student Information Records (ISIR). Maintain detailed records that support actions and aid in annual audits and other reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

3. Professional & Community Development:

• Maintain thorough knowledge of alternative sources of student aid such as private scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans.
• Stay informed and up-to-date on state and federal regulations that govern the Title IV and Title VIII student aid programs through daily email updates, webinars, professional networking and attendance at state, regional or national conferences.
• Participate in college work groups and committees as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development, improvement and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively and collegially to foster good relationships with colleagues from other NMC departments including the business office, registrar, admissions, advising, marketing, faculty, administrators, and others.

4. Other duties as assigned.

Schedule:

Full time, Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm, occasional evenings and weekends

Job Description:
Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of skills, experience and education required.

Experience

• 1-2 years experience in college or university financial aid, student affairs, counseling, or related field required.
• Experience with PowerFAIDS financial aid system preferred.

License/Certifications

• N/A

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Proficiency with technology and ability to learn upgrades and new programs as needed. Systems and applications used in this position may include: PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar J1, EDconnect, Word, Excel, Common Origination & Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), FAFSA Partner Portal, ELM, Heartland ECSI, and Outlook. Must also be able to use various websites to research information: FSA Partner Connect, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
• Ability to interpret, understand and explain complex financial aid language and federal regulations, and to apply them appropriately in different situations.
• Understanding of relevant tax laws.
• Analytical and independent decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of Title IV and Title VIII Federal Student Aid Programs, need-analysis and packaging.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to interact professionally with coworkers and customers, particularly in conflict situations, attention to detail, accuracy, organization, flexibility, a commitment to customer service, ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaboration, the ability to multitask, meet deadlines and prioritize assignments.

Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

• Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

• Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Balancing
  • Climbing
  • Carrying
  • Crawling
  • Crouching
  • Distinguish colors
  • Kneeling
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/Pushing
  • Reaching
  • Standing
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
  • Walking
• Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Hearing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Speaking/talking
• Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Grasping
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Sitting

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF)
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.