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Account/Position No.:                        E25520/240330                                   Level  5

Position Title:                                      Counselor, Client Services

Department:                                        Office of 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;

RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;

DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;

EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;

EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and

COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the  Assistant Director of Client services 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

-        Counsels students in compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.

-        Maintains current knowledge of federal, state and institutional requirements, requiring regular reading and research.

-        Supervises four graduate assistants; indirectly supervises temporary and/or student staff members to ensure the accurate communication of financial aid information.

-        Determines student eligibility for financial aid; inconsistent decisions can result in a monetary liability.

-        Performs daily student counseling through appointments and walk-ins.

-        Performs daily rotation of telephone counseling duties with office schedule to phone receptionist; resolves student inquiries and difficulties.

-        Exercises professional judgment daily for students needing consideration of eligibility due to hardships.

-        Assists with other general outreach activities conducted through the Counseling Center.

Secondary Functions

-        Presents workshops at high schools and agencies.

-        Participates in campus-sponsored programs, including orientation, registration, and various departmental requests.

-        Reviews and decides appeals from students regarding the academic progress standard.

-        Certifies affidavits for students to complete fee payment with the Bursar.

-        Advises students of SGA and University short-term loan progress and assist with the application process.

-        Serves as evening financial aid counselor during extended office hours.

-        Assists students with the application and receipt of TSSAA and ETSU scholarship programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-        Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies governing financial aid.

-        Knowledge of financial aid software such as SIS and Banner.

-        Knowledge of supervisory skills.

-        Ability to communicate with all constituencies.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision. 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and one or two years of financial aid experience at an institution of higher education required or equivalent experience in a related field.

November 2007