Financial Aid Advisor & Default Prevention Specialist

Black River Technical College is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Financial Aid Advisor & Default Prevention Specialist.  This is a full-time, twelve-month position. The position will be located on the BRTC Pocahontas campus.

Position Description

The Financial Aid Advisor & Default Prevention Specialist reports to the Director of Financial Aid and works collaboratively with BRTC financial aid team as well as the Division of Student Affairs.
This position works heavily within a highly automated financial aid management system and will require a working knowledge of the overall operation of the Student Financial Aid Office. The primary goal of the Financial Aid Analyst is to advise and assist with securing financial resources necessary for students to acquire an education.  The individual will counsel with students and parents, in multiple capacities, regarding application processes for various types of student aid.  Additionally, the individual will also provide necessary counseling and support for student loan borrowers as an approach to prevention of student loan default.  Excellent customer service skills are essential.

The College is committed to a quality work environment and experience by providing the following benefits in addition to compensation:

• COLA and/or bonuses are provided whenever fiscally responsible
• Eight hours of sick leave monthly after fulfilling all work hours in a pay period
• Eight hours of vacation leave monthly after fulfilling all work hours in a pay period
• Vacation leave increases according to years of service schedule
• Eight hours per calendar year of education leave
• A portion of health insurance premium paid by BRTC
• $20,000 life insurance policy with premium paid by BRTC
• 14% minimum retirement contribution from BRTC each pay period
• 11 paid State Holidays per calendar year if employed full time during the date of those Holidays
• Tuition Waiver for Employee and dependents to BRTC

Specific Responsibilities

• Performs needs analysis to determine aid eligibility for students through required verification by the Federal Student Aid program and prepares award letters to be sent as notification.
• Assists the Admission Counselor with administering of the institutional scholarship program.
• Will administer the BRTC Foundation and Private Scholarship programs.
• Must acquire a good understanding of financial aid policies, both federally mandated and institutional, to ensure accurate application of knowledge to student situations.
• Moderate amount of public speaking about financial aid will be required for various campus events and high school Financial Aid Nights.
• Monitor the department’s webpage to ensure accurate and timely information is always available, as well as the updated materials on the MyBRTC student portal.
• Must possess a work ethic that encompasses a self-motivated attitude and willingness to work independently.  After-work hours may be necessary during seasonal times.

• Oversees and supervises the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals committee for the Pocahontas campus.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Financial Aid to manage the Federal Work-study Program.

• Conduct three-way calls with borrowers and lenders/servicers to resolve delinquent borrower accounts, as needed.  Handle telephone, mail, and in-person inquiries regarding loan repayment and repayment options.
• Assist the lenders and servicers to find missing borrowers through internal records and references and other appropriate means.
• Assist students in understanding and successfully managing loan obligations by educating them about repayment and the options available for deferment or forbearance.
• Advise management of pertinent issues and concerns relating to BRTC’s forecasted loan default rates via access to advanced software capabilities from Arkansas Student Loan Authority.
• Conduct face-to-face and phone interviews for Entrance and Exit Counseling of student borrowers who are dropping below required enrollment and/or graduating.
• Must possess a work ethic that encompasses a self-motivated attitude and willingness to work independently.  After-work hours may be necessary during seasonal times regarding the statuses of loans.
• Be responsible for the ingoing/outgoing mail for the Financial Aid Office and all purchase orders for the department.
• Other duties may become assigned in the future as the student loan industry changes regarding delinquencies and defaults.

 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. A degree in Business is preferred.
• 1-3 years of higher education experience is preferred (but not required)

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

To be considered for this position, applicants should send a cover letter, resume, copies of transcripts, State application and three references to:

BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Julie Edington, Executive Director of Human Resources

P.O. Box 468

Pocahontas, AR 72455

Telephone (870) 248-4000, Ext. 4032

BRTC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

BRTC is a Tobacco Free Campus