Job ID 12441 Location Case Main Campus Full/Part Time Full-Time Regular/Temporary Regular Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE Working under general supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor will administer financial aid for undergraduate and graduate programs of study in accordance with general plans. A financial aid counselor will serve as a financial aid advisor to the university and is instrumental in the recruitment of prospective students for all academic programs offered by Case Western Reserve University. This position interacts with parents, students, and university officials as a representative of the financial aid office, providing equal treatment, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Analyze and evaluate financial aid applications in order to determine financial need. This process involves reviewing approximately one-fourth of all student applications. In evaluating each aid application, the financial aid counselor will work under general supervision to: verify receipt and accuracy of all required documentation, i.e., federal income tax returns and/or tax transcripts, university financial aid application, FAFSA and CSS Profile. Determine applicant's cost of attendance for the individual program of study, which involves direct contact with key graduate and professional school personnel and knowledge of university tuition and fee schedules. Interpret federal, state, and university policies and regulations to ensure compliance and consistency in the equitable distribution of financial assistance. Responsible for needs assessment through the analysis and evaluation of individual financial circumstances and their ability to pay the student's cost of attendance at Case Western Reserve University. Exercise professional judgment on a daily basis when making decisions about family circumstances that do not fall within documented federal, state, or university policies. (37%) 2. Advise applicants and their families how best to utilize and leverage their funds to maximize resources, minimize educational debt, facilitate the student's attendance, and support students overall retention at the university. Explain, compare and contrast the terms and conditions of different financing programs available to the applicant and family. Serve as an advisor to the university community. Meet with and counsel students, parents, counselors and university personnel on a daily basis. (20%) 3. Assist with special projects, which may include coordinating gainful employment program disclosures, assisting in the student refund process and reconciliation of accounts. Administer training and manage student employees. Reconcile federal and private loans, external and internal loans, student employment, and/or state grant and scholarship programs. (20%) 4. Stay apprised and be knowledgeable about the various methods of refinancing student debt, including student and parent loans as well as other forms of credit, and counsel students about these methods. Act as an official representative to federal and state agencies, scholarship and foundation organizations, and financial aid professional organizations, i.e., OASFAA, NASFAA, and MASFAA. Initiate and maintain dialogue with other colleges and universities in order to remain current and obtain information about new developments within the financial aid industry in the area of responsibility (15%) 5. Instrumental in the recruitment of prospective students to Case Western Reserve University. Assist the office of Undergraduate Admission by providing financial aid presentations to prospective students and their families. These presentations focus on the cost of the university, application procedures, and scholarships and need-based programs available. Also, be a key speaker at the annual spring prospec