Find & Apply For Financial Aid Counselor / Specialist Jobs in Winter Haven, Florida

Please label all uploaded documents with your full name (for example: Jane_Doe_Resume ). This helps ensure your materials are properly matched to your application. If you are a currently active Polk State College employee, please create an account using your polk.edu staff email address. Our HR system will not recognize you as an active employee. Description This role, under the Director of Student Financial Services, oversees and coordinates financial aid programs at Polk State College. Responsibilities include managing the awarding process, maintaining records, ensuring regulatory compliance, addressing student concerns, and managing program areas. The coordinator also collaborates with advisors to resolve issues, coordinates reporting, leads outreach initiatives, organizes orientations, and leads informational sessions. As the lead for designated programs, the coordinator works closely with managers and the director to ensure effective delivery and continuous improvement. Essential Functions/Duties Coordinates financial aid functions for Polk State College, ensuring efficient and compliant operations. Determines and certifies student eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid programs in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies. Reviews and processes financial aid applications, resolving exceptions including verification requirements, C-Codes, conflicting information, and comment codes identified on Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs). Verifies student enrollment status and enrollment changes in a timely manner to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations. Conducts audits of student financial aid files to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Collaborates with the Business Office to ensure the accurate disbursement, reconciliation, and adjustment of financial aid funds based on student eligibility. Processes and accurately calculates Return of Title IV (R2T4) funds for students who withdraw from the College in accordance with federal regulations, ensuring timely notifications, adjustments, and reporting. Reviews, monitors, and resolves Federal Pell Grant overpayments, including coordinating with students, Federal Student Aid, and internal departments to restore aid eligibility when appropriate. Manages and reconciles the Pell Multiple Reporting Record (MRR) process by reviewing concurrent enrollment data, resolving conflicting enrollment information, and ensuring compliance with federal Pell Grant regulations. Assists with the College's Cohort Default Rate (CDR) management efforts by conducting loan default prevention activities, counseling borrowers on repayment options, monitoring delinquency reports, and coordinating outreach to reduce student loan defaults. Monitors, reviews, and resolves issues identified through Banner, federal systems, and financial aid exception reports to ensure accurate processing, regulatory compliance, and timely disbursement of aid. Maintains complete and accurate student records and supporting documentation in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and audit record retention requirements. Designs and facilitates financial aid outreach initiatives, workshops, presentations, and informational sessions to educate prospective and current students, families, and the community regarding financial aid opportunities and processes. Serves as a liaison between students and the Business Office to resolve billing, payment, refund, and financial aid account concerns. Participates in professional development opportunities, conferences, and required training to remain current on Title IV regulations, federal and state financial aid programs, Banner processes, FAFSA, NSLDS, COD, and other regulatory guidance. Delivers exceptional customer service by responding to student, parent, faculty, and staff inquiries in a professional, courteous, and timely manner, generally within two (2) business days. Performs other job-related duties, administrative functions, and special projects as deemed appropriate by the Associate Vice President of Student Financial Services and/or the Director of Student Financial Services. Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, engaging effectively with internal and external stakeholders of the College. Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when consulting on complex issues to gain cooperation or approval for proposed actions. Collaborate with a wide range of individuals and organizations, including state and federal agencies, students, faculty, counselors, and staff. Coordinate with departments such as Academic Affairs, Student Services, and the Business Office to ensure cohesive support for institutional goals. Represent the College to the public by providing information and guidance on workshops, classes, and educational opportunities. Partner with faculty and staff to develop and implement strategies that address student needs and enhance their success. Design, update, and maintain forms, brochures, and related materials to support assigned responsibilities. Lead outreach sessions for students and parents, aiding with the completion of financial aid applications and promoting access to educational funding.

Typical Qualifications Required Skills:

Proven ability to build positive and effective relationships within both the campus and veteran communities. Strong organizational skills with a keen eye for detail and a high level of accuracy in task execution. Excellent verbal and written communication abilities. Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Proficient in general office operations and procedures. Demonstrated experience with computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. Strong interpersonal skills and a professional, approachable demeanor. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity. Capable of working independently on complex assignments, demonstrating initiative and sound decision-making within established guidelines. Familiarity with Federal Title IV programs as well as state and institutional financial aid regulations and procedures. Proficient in using standard office equipment, including personal computers, word processing and spreadsheet software, Teams/Zoom, multi-line phone systems, fax machines, and copiers. Working Conditions/Additional Information Must be available to work evening hours as demand dictates, at the start of each semester. Flexibility to occasionally work evenings, early mornings, and Saturdays to facilitate workshops or meet deadlines Must be able to work proficiently in a busy, multi-office work area. Must be flexible and able to adapt to change well. Must be able to work either on campus in Winter Haven or Lakeland. Salary and Benefits Information This position is level P13 . We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

Required Education:

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required.

Required Experience :

A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in an exempt role within academic, social, or student services is required.

Preferred Experience:

Previous experience in financial aid is preferred. Previous experience with Banner SAAS, Insights, and Degree Works is preferred. Supplemental Information Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered: a resume. an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed). Important Information If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship. To request Veteran's Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application. Polk State College is a drug-free workplace. Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis. Employment visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position. Applicants requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, J1, etc.) will not be considered. Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment. Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position. Equal Opportunity Statement Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about the College's equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact: Title IX Coordinator 3425 Winter Lake Road Lakeland, FL 33803 863.669.2903 compliance@polk.edu For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance We encourage applicants to provide feedback on their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu .