Job type Full Time Location Department Financial Aid Office Salary TBD Have a question? Financial Aid Counselor Accepting applications About this position

JOB TITLE

Financial Aid Counselor Position Description

LOCATION

Central, SC

CLASSIFICATION

Regular, full-time, Exempt

REPORTS TO

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Financial Aid Counselor administers federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs for prospective, current, and returning students. This position provides comprehensive financial aid counseling; determines and processes student eligibility for aid; administers scholarship programs; performs verification, awarding, and compliance functions; and maintains accurate student records within financial aid systems. The Financial Aid Counselor serves as a primary resource for students and families regarding educational financing options and collaborates closely with Admissions, Student Accounts, Academic Records, and other university offices to support student recruitment, retention, and success. The position ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations while delivering exceptional customer service and supporting the Financial Aid Office's effective, efficient operation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Utilize financial aid software to generate reports and communicate effectively with students and parents. Build positive relationships with new and continuing students to provide excellent customer service. Provides administrative and customer service support for Financial Aid Office operations, including responding to phone calls, emails, and student inquiries; maintaining accurate records; and delivering exceptional service to students and families. Demonstrates strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Process incoming mail, electronic communications, and financial aid documents daily. Update student records in PowerFAIDS as needed, create and maintain electronic student files, and ensure accurate document management and record retention in accordance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements. Review electronic ISIRs daily and update student information within PowerFAIDS to ensure accurate processing. Perform FAFSA verification according to federal regulations, identify and resolve conflicting information, request and track required documentation, and communicate with students regarding outstanding requirements. Generate and send appropriate notifications and correspondence to support timely financial aid processing. Perform regular PowerFAIDS audits and task reviews to ensure the accuracy of financial aid awarding, coding, and budget information, and resolve discrepancies as needed. Conduct proactive follow-up with students and families by phone and email during regular office hours and, when necessary, during evening hours, to support enrollment and financial aid processing. Provides comprehensive financial aid counseling to prospective and current students and their families. Advises students on institutional, federal, and state financial aid programs; explains eligibility requirements and application processes; and prepares individualized financial aid and cost estimates upon request. Collaborate with the Admissions Office to support student recruitment efforts by participating in campus events, presentations, workshops, and individual meetings with prospective students and families. Partner with the Student Accounts Office to evaluate students with outstanding balances for potential financial aid eligibility and provide guidance regarding available funding options. Review and update student information within Department of Education systems, including the FAFSA Partner Portal, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance with federal regulations. Conducts outreach campaigns to students with outstanding financial aid requirements and provides guidance to facilitate timely completion of the financial aid process. Serves as backup administrator for the Federal Work-Study Program, including: Determining and documenting student eligibility for participation. Completing E-Verify and related employment eligibility requirements. Awarding and adjusting Federal Work Study funding as appropriate. Maintaining Work Study eligibility and tracking records. Creating and maintaining electronic employment files for coordination with Payroll and Benefits. Preparing, distributing, collecting, and reviewing monthly timesheets. Calculating student earnings and monitoring award utilization. Generating and reviewing Work Study monitoring reports to ensure compliance with federal program requirements. Reconciling Work Study records between PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar regularly Administers all SWU scholarship programs, ensuring fiscal integrity and coordination of awards with federal, state, and institutional aid in accordance with applicable regulations and policies. Represents the Financial Aid Office at on-campus events, recruitment programs, and high school workshops. Provides financial aid information and guidance to prospective students, current students, families, faculty, staff, and guests. Maintain professional expertise by participating in financial aid training, seminars, conferences, webinars, and other professional development opportunities to remain current on federal, state, and institutional regulations and best practices. Performs additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director of Financial Aid. About our ideal candidate

QUALIFICATIONS A

bachelor's degree is required. Candidates should have 3 to 5 years of professional experience in a customer service, administrative, or higher education environment, demonstrating proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other business applications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in higher education is highly preferred, particularly in areas such as financial aid, enrollment management, student services, or related fields. Candidates must possess demonstrated knowledge of office administration and management practices. Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively are essential. Experience with PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar student information systems is preferred. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are required. Candidates should be able to communicate complex information clearly and professionally to students, families, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and discretion is essential when handling sensitive student and financial information. The ideal candidate will have the proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment. A strong commitment to customer service and student-centered support is crucial. SWU is dedicated to leveraging technology to support operational excellence and strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will be proficient in integrated database management systems and reporting tools, and comfortable using web-based, mobile, and desktop applications, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Our daily work schedule is from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays required for Preview Days and Future Warrior Days. Due to peak operational demands, we cannot accommodate vacation requests during July or August each year.

Mental Demands:

Confidentiality, Frequent Interruptions, Customer Interaction, Detailed Work, Mathematics, Reading, Reasoning, Stress Management, Verbal Communication, Written Communication. Requires comprehension of student financial aid forms, policies, and office procedures; strong organizational skills; ability to assimilate a large amount of detail.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Mission and Lifestyle Expectations. The University is a Christian liberal arts institution in the Wesleyan-Holiness theological tradition. Considering SWU's unapologetically Christ-centered mission, all employees are expected to embrace the university's Statement of Faith, respect its Wesleyan heritage, and adhere to its lifestyle expectations. Physical/Environmental Requirements Visual acuity is necessary to do editorial work, proofread, and manage documents and student files. Ability to sit for periods of time in an interior office environment. May require infrequent lifting of objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally items up to 20 pounds. May require the employee to infrequently work outside of the regular work schedule for special events. Pre-employment Screening. Employment is contingent on completing a background screening and credit check. About us Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Southern Wesleyan University to provide and maintain equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including but not limited to lactation), disability, genetic information, veteran-status, age, or any other classification protected by state, federal, or local law, unless a bona fide occupational qualification applies. The University reserves its right to operate as a church-related institution and to develop policies consistent with the religious tenets of its sponsoring denomination, The Wesleyan Church, and is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (Title VII, Section 702-703, United States Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended). University Mission Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. In addition to specific academic requirements, SWU provides quality undergraduate and graduate programs in a distinctively Christian environment that fosters the integration of faith, learning, and living. Candidates for employment must support the Christian mission of the university and give evidence of successful professional experience, mature faith, and consistent Christian lifestyle. To view the university's profile, visit About SWU . To learn more about The Wesleyan Church-it's history, beliefs, and position on current issues-visit wesleyan.org/about . Applicants for employment are encouraged to view the following links providing additional information about how our campus community lives out these beliefs and practices.

Statement of Purpose Doctrinal Statement Community Expectations University Core Values Christ Centered:

Purpose, Scholarship, Community, Transformation Purpose:

A specific calling for a unique role in our world.

Scholarship:

Academic excellence in an innovative faith-centered environment.

Community:

Belonging to a connected and compassionate body of learners.

Transformation:

Christ's redemptive work in individual and corporate life. We believe that every individual has a God given purpose, brought to fruition by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and the challenge of scholarship. As we participate in a consecrated community of learners we are continuously transformed into the image of Christ both individually and corporately.