The Student Financial Planning Graduate Counselor plays a vital role in empowering students to achieve their educational goals at High Point University. As a key member of the Student Financial Planning team, this individual helps students and families navigate the financial aid process with care, clarity, and integrity. By providing personalized guidance and administering financial assistance programs with accuracy and compassion, the Counselor directly supports the University’s mission to provide an extraordinary education and to meet enrollment and retention goals. This role blends service, strategy, and student advocacy, ensuring that every graduate student has the opportunity to pursue excellence at High Point University.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, human service, or counseling

Experience and Training:

• Minimum 2 years in student financial aid environment with direct experience involving Federal and state awarding 

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies 

• Must possess the ability to understand complex federal and state regulated programs as well as adhere to institutional strategic procedures

• The ability to work independently while being a part of a team that stresses accuracy, integrity, and efficiency is vital

• Knowledge of the various types of financial aid available 

• Ability to analyze and interpret financial information in a wide variety of situations

• Ability to exercise independent thought and judgment in difficult and/or complex situations with little to no supervision and under tight deadlines. 

• Knowledge of integrated computer systems and web-based technology 

• Effective oral and written communication skills 

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with internal and external customers

• Ability to appropriately handle highly sensitive, confidential family financial information

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Counsels’ students and parents on all financial aid matters 

• Awards federal, state, private and institutional loans, grants, and scholarships according to federal and state regulations and institutional policies 

• Analyzes each family situation, determine the financial aid options available and explains options to the family

• Manages the application process from start to finish for his or her assigned group of students

• Manages the financial aid process and interactions with designated population of prospective students and families to positively impact students’ decisions to attend the University

• Examines all application materials for accuracy and completeness and performs federal verification according to federal regulations

• Handles overall financial aid awarding functions including, but not limited to, import and evaluation of FAFSA information, packaging, loan certification and origination, federal verification and refund calculations

• Conducts research as necessary to respond to inquiries and resolve problems that may arise during the financial aid process

• Determines award adjustments in appropriate situations and documents all such decisions in students’ files

• Determines appropriate corrective actions independently within established guidelines and implements or refers for action as appropriate

• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating effectively with students, students’ parents, faculty, co-workers and managers. 

• Timely completion of award packages, return calls and email correspondence

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Maximizes student enrollment and retention through effective financial planning and counseling while awarding financial aid in accordance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies

• Stays current on federal, state and institutional regulations and policies 

TERM: 

• Full Time 

• Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (some weekends for special events) 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For more information about this position, kindly contact Sandra Norris, Director of Student Financial Planning at [email protected]