Usm.maine.edu



PROFESSIONAL POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title:FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR/Coordinator of Native American ProgramsDivision: Enrollment Management and Student AffairsDepartment: Student Financial Services Location: Gorham (with occasional work in Portland)Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 4:30; evenings and weekends as required Reports to: Assistant Director of Student Financial AidSTATEMENT OF THE JOB: The Financial Aid Counselor has responsibility for assisting in the determination of student eligibility for financial aid programs through review of applications and other pertinent data for further processing, analysis and packaging of awards. The position coordinates all Native American Waivers and Grants for USM students. This individual will work collaboratively with the University of Maine System Native American Waiver Coordinator and educational leaders from various Maine Indian tribes. The position will assist in the development of policies and procedures to assure that all new students interested in applying for financial aid are informed, advised, and supported in the process. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Assists in evaluation of financial aid applications through analysis of complex financial statements submitted by students and their parents, using federally approved methodology to determine the family’s ability to contribute to the financing of the student’s education. Under prescribed guidelines developed by the Student Financial Aid Office, the Counselor makes independent judgment adjustments to the contribution to more accurately reflect the family’s current financial situation.Counsels students and parents on financial matters relating to the financial aid process. Through this interaction, facilitates the identification of options for funding a higher education and makes appropriate recommendations for changes to office policy and procedures to improve student services.Revises student awards where warranted as a result of additional funds received from outside agencies and/or enrollment status changes. This includes the processing of academic suspensions and probations. Coordinates Native American Waivers and Grants for all USM students while serving as a liaison with the University of Maine System Native American Waiver Coordinator. All award decisions for USM students are made by this position while the role of the System Coordinator is to certify Native American tribal eligibility. Appeals for loss of aid eligibility are also managed by this position.Meets with every newly admitted Native American student to review and complete the Student agreement for Native American program eligibility.Works with Maine Native American Tribal Educational leaders to provide resolution and support for students with waiver and grant eligibility concerns.Establishes and manages the process of awarding all students admitted spring only.Coordinates the management of all National Student Loan Data System post screening with the U.S. Department of Education for all USM students. Monitor all USM students enrolled in modular courses dropped after the census date for credit hour adjustments and/or need for Return to Title IV aid adjustment.Manages awards for all USM financial aid recipients who are taking some or all of their courses at other campuses of the University of Maine System. This often requires working with staff of other University of Maine System Campuses.Assists in planning and conducting workshops for new/returning/potential students and their parents and/or spouses on the financial aid process and coaches them in completing the financial aid application. Communicates with students, parents and USM staff concerning the awarding of financial aid funds.Responds to in-person, telephone and email inquiries from students and parent’s relative to financial aid concerns.Determines student and parent eligibility for federal, state and private agency loans in accordance with applicable regulations.Reviews federal ISIR data to assure the accuracy of reported information.Participates in development and maintenance of office policy and procedures manual. Manual must be up-to date and available for review by internal, external and federal auditors.Additional duties as reasonably assigned.SPECIAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES*: Ability to drive a University vehicle and provide proof of a valid driver’s license.Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid driver’s license, and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance. Work on federally funded projects. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES: This position intimately affects the efficiency of the Student Financial Services Office. The individual must respond in a timely fashion to student and family needs. The individual also has the responsibility for complying with federal, state, and institutional policies related to the awarding of financial aid dollars totaling over $75 million.PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO JOB PERFORMANCE: Attends appropriate workshops/training seminars to enhance skills. Attends related credit/non-credit courses to enhance skills.INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:Internal: Other staff of the Office of Student Financial Services, students, faculty, Academic Administrators, Admissions staff and Office of Registration and Scheduling staffExternal: University of Maine System Chief Student Affairs Officer, Maine Native American Tribal Education Directors, Wabanaki Center Outreach and Student Development Coordinator.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:Experience with on-line data management.Excellent planning, organizational, interpersonal, problem solving, written and oral communications skills.Demonstrated ability to manage financial aid funds.Demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with federal regulations and guidelines.Demonstrated understanding of the management of a large database.Familiarity with computer systems.Excellent organizational, analytical, planning, consultative, interpersonal, problem solving, human relations, assessment, and interpersonal skills.Possess an attitude that fosters a respectful, non-threatening workplace environment.QUALIFICATIONS:Required:Associate degree.Two years’ experience (of which a least 1 year of work experience is in a financial aid setting) or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Strong organizational skills.Ability to understand and interpret complex policies.Ability to perform duties accurately under pressure.Excellent written, oral and customer service skills mandatory. License/Certifications:Ability to drive a University vehicle and provide proof of a valid driver’s license.Ability to provide own transportation (fully-insured vehicle), provide proof of a valid driver’s license, and compliance with Maine law regarding vehicle insurance. Preferred:Bachelor’s Degree*NOTE: All individuals who are recommended to fill and subsequently offered a position with special essential responsibilities as listed above, or other licensure or certification, shall have the following additional applicable background screening completed (in addition to regular and standard background screening) based on the responsibilities of the position: Credit history screening, and/or Sex offender registry screening, and/or Federal criminal history screening and/or License/certification verification. For Human Resources UseDate Approved:4/15/2010Date Revised:05/10/2017Job Family:19Salary Band:103Unit:UMPSACUPA code:413110Employee:Position #:00012652 ................
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