Financial Aid Counselor

About Us

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) is a state college within the University System of Georgia, serving more than 6,000 students across Northwest Georgia and surrounding communities. Founded in 1970 as Floyd Junior College, GHC offers associate and bachelors degrees across a broad range of academic disciplines, with flexible learning options available at five instructional locations and online. As a growing institution, GHC is committed to innovation, student success, and strengthening the communities it serves.

GHC is also committed to creating a workplace where employees can grow professionally and make a meaningful impact. Faculty and staff work collaboratively in a dynamic environment that values professional development, employee wellness, innovation, and continuous improvement. Employees have the opportunity to contribute to student achievement, community impact, and the future of higher education in the region.

Job Summary

This position supports the college¿s Financial Aid Office by reviewing, evaluating, and processing financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine student eligibility and administer financial aid awards in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines. The Financial Aid Counselor provides guidance and assistance to prospective and current students and their families regarding financial aid programs, application procedures, eligibility requirements, and educational funding options while ensuring accurate processing, effective service delivery, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Advising and Counseling

• Participates in the preparation and presentation of financial aid information at meetings, group discussions, workshops, and recruitment sessions.
• Counsels and answers questions, inquiries, or requests from students, parents, or guardians concerning financial aid programs, application procedures, financial planning, eligibility, and related matters.
• Provides individual and group counseling to students and parents regarding FAFSA completion, available financial aid options, budgeting, and debt management.
• Participates in annual trainings and professional development to remain informed of changes to financial aid programs, regulations, and procedures.

Application and Verification

• Reviews and analyzes student financial aid applications, financial data, and verification documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Evaluates student eligibility for scholarships, grants, and loan programs
• Manages financial aid application downloads, application tracking, and related processes through federal and state systems.
• Reviews and analyzes daily exception reports to identify and resolve application discrepancies, missing documentation, and other issues necessary to complete student files.
• Researches and resolves issues involving federal and state financial aid systems, including CPS, EDE, NSLDS, COD, and Surfer.

Awarding and Aid Administration

• Determines student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and loans, and packages awards accordingly.
• Manages federal and state financial aid programs and processes, including CFlags, private loans, consortium agreements, HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships, HERO Scholarship, Federal Work-Study, Return to Title IV (R2T4), Pell Grant and Federal Loans.
• Coordinates activities with the Advancement Office regarding the awarding and administration of institutional scholarships.
• Performs specialized duties related to annual departmental allocations for Campus-Based Programs
• Invoices and reconciles federal, state, and institutional scholarship and grant funds.

Compliance and Tracking

• Determines Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and notifies students regarding their financial aid eligibility.
• Monitors student loan delinquency and default status, notifies students of their status, and administers default prevention procedures.
• Reviews and audits completed work to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and procedures; recommends changes to improve workflow and productivity.
• Monitors financial aid records, resolves conflicting information, and tracks outstanding requirements to support regulatory compliance and accurate student records.

Other Duties

• Performs related duties.

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in finance, accounting, education, or a related field and 1 to 2 years of direct experience in a college or university financial aid office OR and equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of direct experience in a college or university financial aid office.

• Bilingual abilities are a plus

Proposed Salary

The hiring salary is $45,911.

Required Documents to Attach

This position requires you to attach a resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of federal, state and institutional policies and procedures related to student financial aid

• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite, Ellucian Banner Financial Aid Module, USG GA Modifications to Banner)

• High level of accuracy, analytical skills, and discretion handling confidential student data.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

Contact Information

For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources by email at jobs@highlands.edu

For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) is committed to fostering a culture grounded in integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect. As a member of the University System of Georgia, GHC embraces these core values while advancing its commitment to student success, access, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and service to the communities it serves.

Employees are expected to demonstrate these values through their work, interactions with students and colleagues, decision-making, and commitment to the mission and success of Georgia Highlands College.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Highlands College, as determined by Georgia Highlands College in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Highlands College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Accommodations

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or selection process.

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office of Human Resources at jobs@highlands.edu, or call 706-802-5483, as early as possible in the recruitment process to discuss their accommodation needs.

Clery Disclosure

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. A Campus Security Authority is an individual or group designated by the institution who has certain responsibilities for reporting allegations of Clery-reportable crimes of which they become aware.

Employees designated as CSAs are required to complete applicable Clery training and follow Georgia Highlands College procedures for reporting crimes and incidents covered by the Clery Act.