Financial Aid Counselor II

About the role

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor II to assist with the day to day responsibilities of the Need Analysis unit. The Need Analysis unit is responsible for evaluating prospective and current student eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, this unit reviews financial aid applications for both graduate and undergraduate students. This position reports to the Associate Director, Need Analysis. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in maintaining policies and procedures used in need analysis, verification, and professional judgement.
• Managing the training and evaluation process for new and existing staff.
• Assist in identifying changes to the Student Information System (SIS) based on federal and state requirements.
• Participate in testing system changes and updates by developing testing procedures and scenarios.
• Serve as a resource to staff for questions related to need analysis, and federal and institutional verification. Respond to Salesforce cases.
• Advising staff on complex student files and providing guidance on appropriate procedures.
• Conducts need analysis to determine student financial aid packaging options based on individual case circumstances. Reviews student applications for consistency and completeness, verifies accuracy of student and family reported information, and certifies applications. Make ISIR corrections as needed. Maintains accurate and thorough file documentation.
• Maintaining quality control on the review of nearly 20,000 applications for financial aid.
• Assist in developing and maintaining guidelines for professional judgement adjustments initiated by student appeals.

Required Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid processes and regulations.
• Must be able to think critically, problem solve, and understand complex verification issues.
• Professional demeanor, ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with students, parents, faculty, staff, and general public.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

• Please submit cover letter and resume as part of your application.
• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

The hourly range for this position is $28.00 - $32.85. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 2 years

Minimum Field of Expertise: Student financial aid counseling

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Additional information

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