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Account/Position No.: 25520/200230 Level 5 Position Title: Counselor Department: Financial Aid
Expectations for All Employees East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values. An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values: PEOPLE come first, are
treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full
potential; Function of Position Responsible to the Director of Financial Aid for counseling students on their individual qualifications for financial aid; determining the outcome of students’ requests for changes in financial aid eligibility due to extenuating circumstances; deciding the outcome of student appeals, including satisfactory academic progress; determining the best method to resolve complex financial aid problems between students and the federal processor, lenders, and guarantee agencies; disseminating federal, state, and institutional financial aid information to students and the public; and performing other related duties as assigned. Essential Functions - Exercises independent judgment to counsel students on their individual qualification for federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid. - Advises students and parents in person, by letter and telephone on correct procedures to obtain loans, grants, scholarships, and work programs. - Uses professional judgment to determine the outcome of students’ requests for changes in financial aid eligibility due to extenuating circumstances. - Exercises independent judgment to determine the outcome of student appeals due to unsatisfactory academic progress. - Determines steps required for a student to regain good standing in satisfactory academic progress. - Oversees daily counter and phone counseling activity in rotation with other counselors to resolve student inquiries and difficulties. - Supervises graduate assistants and student workers. - Maintains current knowledge of federal, state and institutional requirements regarding financial aid. Secondary Functions - Presents workshops at high schools and other agencies. - Participates in campus sponsored programs including orientation and registration. - Serves as evening counselor during extended office hours and for evening and weekend programs. - Determines students’ eligibility and certifies affidavits for students to complete fee payment with the Bursar. - Advises students of SGA and short-term loan programs and assists with the application process. - Advises students participating in RODP, NSE, study abroad, and consortium programs on their particular financial aid eligibility. - Completes certifications for NURSE, childcare, TANF, student support services, scholarships, GRE, Praxis and other programs as needed. - Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge and Abilities - Knowledge of Title IV, federal, state and university regulations and policies governing financial aid. - Knowledge of financial aid software such as SIS Plus. - Ability to maintain confidential information which could affect the university’s financial aid and ethical standing, as in audit findings, repayments, or public perception. - Ability to exercise independent judgment in dealing with individual students. - Ability to discern and determine the validity of information provided by students. - Ability to correctly advise students with accurate information. - Ability to identify and deal with inappropriate behavior by students. - Ability to defuse potentially explosive situations in dealing with upset students. - Ability to communicate effectively. Supervision Given and Received Performs under general supervision. Determines own methods of performing assigned work. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree required; one to two years of financial aid experience or equivalent experience in a related field.
Date: March, 2008 |