Financial Aid Counselor – Customer Service

Hawai‘i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the ‘okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.

Description

Job Summary:

The Financial Aid Counselor-Customer Service position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Customer Service and Programs. This position will be the first point of contact for coordination with Athletics and University Relations in regards to awarding of their scholarship/grant programs. They will also be the lead person in facilitating the Federal Work Study program (FWS). In addition, should the need arise, the person in this position may be asked to work on special projects, and assist with counseling/advising students, parents, HPU staff, and external clients on financial aid programs and processing for Federal, state, and institutional aid sources. Strong organizational skills are necessary for this position as these programs will be running simultaneously throughout the year.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of relevant work and educational experience
• Two years of proven customer service experience
• Strong communications skills
• Proficiency with MS Office applications

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Hawai‘i Pacific University is designated as an Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian (ANNH) Serving Institution by the US Department of Education. As such, we strive for accurate displays of the Hawaiian language in all our institutional materials. This includes the appropriate use of diacritical marks such as the ‘okina and kahako. Unfortunately, at times external vendors and other third-party technology integrations do not support the use of these characters. Mahalo for your understanding.

Description

Job Summary:

The Financial Aid Counselor-Customer Service position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Customer Service and Programs. This position will be the first point of contact for coordination with Athletics and University Relations in regards to awarding of their scholarship/grant programs. They will also be the lead person in facilitating the Federal Work Study program (FWS). In addition, should the need arise, the person in this position may be asked to work on special projects, and assist with counseling/advising students, parents, HPU staff, and external clients on financial aid programs and processing for Federal, state, and institutional aid sources. Strong organizational skills are necessary for this position as these programs will be running simultaneously throughout the year.

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Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of relevant work and educational experience
• Two years of proven customer service experience
• Strong communications skills
• Proficiency with MS Office applications

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of awarding and disbursing Federal Title IV financial aid
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage time efficiently
• Very good organization and coordination skills
• Supervisory or office management experience
• Experience working in a university setting
• Familiarity with school ERP systems; preferably Ellucian Banner

Other Qualifications:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship and relocation allowance is not available for this position.
• Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU’s winter break, if necessary.
• This position may be considered an essential position with report to work obligations depending on the type of emergency, campus closure, or evacuation.
• Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Protection of Minors policy.
• Able to work all shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that utilize excellent time and stress management skills.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Scholarship Processing (20%) - Manage external scholarship checks (reconcile and deliver checks to Business Office). - Manage and maintain student accounts when necessary. - Coordinate scholarship management database for endowed and annual scholarships. - Process verifications for external scholarship organizations. - Assist with talent and other non-standard scholarship programs such as honors and competition awards. - Facilitate awarding of military program scholarships and waivers.

2. Federal Work Study (FWS) Program (20%) - Manage and coordinate the FWS program. - Solicit and allocate the amount of positions for each department with the input/assistance of Associate Director. - Recruit and solicit off-campus jobs for the FWS Program to meet minimum public service and tutor requirements to participate in the program. - Monthly reconciliation of the FWS program. - Administer/coordinate requests and revisions for FWS awards.

3. Athletics Liaison and Scholarship Processing (20%) - Primary point of contact for the athletic department in administering their awards. - Processing of all athletic awards in conjunction with financial aid packages. - Assist with preparing scholarship agreements and reporting for NCAA. - Administer/coordinate new requests and revisions for athletic awards.

4. Customer Service (15%) - Maintain and service all program constituents in a professional and friendly manner which includes our students, internal departments and external parties. - Coordinate program specific communications as relating to the above programs. - Counsel students and parents regarding Federal, state and institutional aid

5. Program reporting (10%) - Assist with preparing scholarship data reports for internal and external agencies. - Assist with any other reports and certifications relating to scholarship and the FWS program.

6. Financial Aid Processing (10%) - Assist team members with processing and awarding of aid - Participate in various outreach events in person or virtual - Maintain scholarship webpage (when developed). - Monitor scholarship information on financial aid webpages and work with Assoc. Director to make necessary changes.

7. Other Duties as Assigned (5%) - Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments. - Assists with seasonal peaks including working early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.

This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

_ Hawaii Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic _ _ information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawaii Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment. _

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