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Human Resources

Financial Aid Counselor

June 18, 2025
Position Vacancy Announcements

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FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Range/Grade

Salary Range: $35,534 - $45,000

Grade: To be determined.

Reports to

Director

Date

June 11, 2025

Job Description

Summary/objective

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers all Federal Aid and Institutional

Financial Aid Programs, ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws, as

well as University policy. The Office provides students and parents with

comprehensive information on available aid; is responsible for reconciliation

and reporting for all students’ aids received by the University; and, works directly

with Federal and State officials and auditors in response to various comments

and inquiries.

Under general supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor assists in presenting

information about financial aid, scholarships, eligibility, and other financial aid

related topic to perspective and continuing students as well as giving updates

to departments on student issues. Coordinator review financial aid webpage

and work with ITC team members to update information regarding financial aid.

The Counselor also provides advice and guidance to students applying for

financial aid; determines eligibility for financial aid programs and ensures that

aid is available in a timely manner; make exceptions to Federal, State andV1 2 06/2025

University financial aid policies and procedures; and manage special programs

and activities.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Financial Aid Counseling

1. Counseling current and prospective students (and parents) regarding

financial aid availability and the application process. Counsel college

students, parents, high school students, and other prospective students on

Federal, State, Institutional and Third-party aid programs and how they

may interact with one another.

2. Ensures that students are informed about their eligibility for financial aid.

Maintains confidentiality of information exposed to in the course of

business regarding students, supervisors or other employees.

3. Contributes to student satisfaction through delivery of quality customer

service in all aspects of the administration of financial aid and student

employment services. This includes answering inquiries from parents,

faculty and staff on an array of financial aid policies and procedures.

Outreach Coordinator

1. Serve as staff expert on all financial aid related topics and maintain the

business process guides that outline the specific processes and

procedures. liaising with the Director of Financial Aid.

2. Act as primary representative of federal and state programs to

applicants, staff, on- and off-campus employers, and fiscal personnel.

3. Present financial aid information at FAFSA nights and create materials

needed.

4. Create infographics or materials needed to present virtually or in person

and update flyers reach term.

5. Monitoring the financial aid website and update page(s) with relevant

information to appropriate ITC team member

6. Keep up to date with federal updates from Department of Ed to ensure

website is current and compliant.

Administrative

7. Review financial aid applications for completeness and accuracy. Initiate

correspondence to applicants regarding incomplete files. Complete

federal verification of applications selected by the Federal Processor.

8. Process aid for a portion of the applicant pool and maintain related

records.V1 3 06/2025

9. Administer all financial aid programs including but not limited to the data

entry, packaging, and awarding of all Title IV, State, institutional funds to

include work-study and scholarships, and outside aid sources.

10. Electronic processing of Pell grant and loan data.

11. Analyze high amounts of detailed data and take corrective action under

tight time constraints.

12. Contribute to development of system solutions for recurring problems

13. Award and revise financial aid in accordance with federal, state, and

institutional regulations and guidelines.

14. Present at FAFSA nights at the university or high schools as needed

15. Maintain access to Banner, and other Financial Aid systems such as

Common Origination Disbursement system (COD), National Student Loan

Data System (NSLDS), FAA Access to CPS, and WSAC secure portal.

16. Must keep abreast of and maintain compliance with federal, state and

University guidelines regarding the financial aid programs and the

awarding of aid.

17. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Financial Aid Counselors use significant and broad professional judgment

and discretion in the awarding of available financial aid. Situations require

a thorough understanding of regulations as well as the personal issues

involved. Financial Aid Counselors explain, and sometimes defend,

professional judgment decisions made by other counselors.

• Counselors regularly deal with dissonance between a family's perceived

need and the help available to the student. Counselors are expected to

remain supportive, calm, and professional during these difficult

conversations.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of college students that

come from diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic and racial

backgrounds.

• Develop positive rapport with assigned financial aid personnel to develop

a sense of teamwork.

• Interpret, apply, and enforce federal, state, and institutional policies,

procedures, and regulations.

• Work independently on complex financial aid issues and processes

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships

with others.

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

• Cultivates positive relationships with UAT students and ensures the highest

level of customer service.V1 4 06/2025

• Ability to analyze processes, improve procedures, and generate

innovative solutions.

• Reconciliation compliance.

• Cash management.

Work environment

Office setting.

Physical demands

Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate

verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to

10 pounds.

Travel required

0%.

Required education and experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is required.

• Financial Aid experience and knowledge of SIS-Plus operating system.

• Experience managing Title IV program.

• NSLDS experience.

• Proficiency in the use of computers and office machines; proficiency in

Microsoft Office Suites.

• Must also possess interpersonal and analytical skills.

• Must possess experience working in a high-volume, fast-paced, time-

sensitive, service-oriented environment.

• Not in federal student loan default

Preferred education and experience

• Prior experience with the Ellucian BANNER system is highly desirable.

However, the ability to operate computer hardware, computer software,

and other appropriate office equipment is required.

Additional eligibility requirements

Not applicable.V1 5 06/2025

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Southern University at New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a

comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of

the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at

any time with or without notice.V1 6 06/2025

Signatures

This job description has been approved by:

Area Vice Chancellor

______________________________________ Date __________

HR Director__________________________________________ Date _______________

Employee signature below indicates the employee's understanding of the

requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee______________________________________ Date__________________

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act

of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern

University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an

individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability,

sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status,

membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal

laws.

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the

administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other

College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes

reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is

needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or

to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.