Financial Aid Counselor, Scholarships

Job Title:

Financial Aid Counselor, Scholarships 

Physical Location:

 Kent Campus - Kent, OH 

Salary:

 $34,000 - $37,000

Basic Function:

To advise students and/or parents on financial aid options; to administer specific financial aid programs. Reports to Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid. The financial aid position is in the Scholarship Office. 

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

 

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Counsel students, parents, University departments, and outside agencies on the federal, state, and Institutional financial aid application process.

Conduct presentations to clarify federal, state, and University regulations regarding the financial aid process. 

Evaluate and determine appropriate action for invalid or incomplete student financial aid applications. 

Determine award packages; award aid; recalculate and adjust aid; delete federal, state, and/or Institutional aid. 

Maintain accurate and up-to-date reports, records, and procedures related to all daily tasks, programs, and job duties, ensuring consistency and efficiency in operations. 

Communicate effectively with students and collaborate with departments across Enrollment Management- including Admissions and Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center- regarding student accounts and scholarship-related inquiries.

Provide support to administrators and staff utilizing ScholarshipUniverse, assisting with navigation, troubleshooting, and best practices to optimize the student scholarship experience. 

Ensure all scholarship processes comply with federal, state, institutional, and donor regulations, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. 

Prepare and analyze detailed reports on scholarship awards, fund utilization, and related metrics to support data-driven-making and continuous program improvement. 

Oversee various financial aid programs (e.g. direct loans, minority benefits, scholarship coordination, grant processing, University scholarships, special circumstances, federal work study, etc.).

May supervise students and/or provide functional guidance of support staff or other employees who work on a project or assignment on a temporary or intermittent basis.

Serve on university committees.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; three months of experience in student financial aid, customer service, or a relevant field.

License/Certification:

None. 

Knowledge Of:

Personal computer applications

Experience in Banner and Scholarship Enterprise Platform (ex. ScholarshipUniverse)

Skill In:

Written, verbal and interpersonal communication
Providing excellent customer service while complying with confidentiality laws and university policies
Organization and time management
Attention to detail
Utilizing computer applications, i.e., Microsoft Office

Ability To:

Not applicable

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

None. 

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

None.

Working Schedule:

 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, with a remote (hybrid) options available. 

Additional Information:

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.