University of South Carolina is hiring an FA Counselor- Grants/Scholar to support financial aid operations for the USC Aiken campus, focusing on grants and scholarships. Operating under the USC market title of Financial Aid Coordinator, the counselor helps students navigate funding options and award processing. The full-time, 12-month role sits within USC Aiken's Financial Aid office.
Highlights
Operates as Financial Aid Coordinator (market title), counseling students on grants and scholarship funding options.
Supports the Aiken campus Financial Aid office within USC's Student Administrative Services job family.
Works a 37.5-hour week on a 12-month schedule dedicated to financial aid counseling duties.
Falls within USC's State Pay Range G06, with an anticipated hiring range of $41,073 to $50,315.
Assists prospective and enrolled students with award packaging and financial aid eligibility questions.
Serves one of eight USC system institutions supporting more than 50,000 students statewide.
Requires applications by October 13, 2026, under USC's standard five-business-day posting policy.
Includes a full benefits package with health and life insurance, paid leave, and retirement programs.
In addition to completing the online application, please also upload your resume and a separate cover letter.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by October 13, 2026.
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Logo | Posting Number | STA00710PO26 Job Family | Student Administrative Services Job Function | Financial Aid USC Market Title | Financial Aid Coordinator Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133939 Job Level | P1 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) | FA Counselor- Grants/Scholar Campus | Aiken Work County | Aiken College/Division | USC Aiken College/Division Level Department | AIK Financial Aid State Pay Range | G06 USC Market Range | MRC - $41,073 $50,315 $59,556 Anticipated Hiring Range | $41,073 - $50,315 Location of Vacancy | Part/Full Time | Full Time Hours per Week | 37.5 Work Schedule | Basis | 12 months Job Search Category | Other Professional
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Veterans' Preference Statement | The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships (Financial Aid Specialist), Salary: $41,073 – $50,315 per year, USCA Financial Aid
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, the Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships is responsible for leadership in and the management of the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid’s administration of South Carolina Need Grant and Federal Grant programs. The Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships is directly responsible for ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional policy and procedures governing the receipt, processing, and application to student accounts of all grant programs. The Financial Aid Counselor – Grant/Scholarships serves as the point of contact in the Office of Financial Aid for students receiving grants and serves as backup for all scholarship programs. Additionally, the Financial Aid Counselor- Grant/Scholarships provides support in assisting and counseling students and parents regarding financial aid programs and processes. Assists in the review of financial aid applications for all student aid programs and ensures accuracy and completeness. Assists with other financial aid programs as needed. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: The ability to establish and maintain working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, and co-workers is essential. Ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Must possess excellent administrative, interpersonal, organizational, and communication abilities. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Preferred: Familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications. Financial aid experience and knowledge of Federal Title IV program regulations preferred. Application deadline: October 13, 2026. USCA is an Equal Opportunity Institution. We strive to cultivate an environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of all individuals. Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials | Preferred Qualifications | Familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications. Financial aid experience and knowledge of Federal Title IV program regulations preferred. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | The ability to establish and maintain working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, and co-workers is essential. Ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Must possess excellent administrative, interpersonal, organizational, and communication abilities.
Job Duties
Job Duty | Validates students’ eligibility for SC State Need-Based Grant (SNBG) in accordance with the SC Commission on Higher Educations (CHE) policies and regulations. Verifies accuracy of awards prior to submitting payment information to CHE. Review disbursement reports to ensure SNBG funds have been accurately and fully disbursed. Maintains accounting of end-of-the-year institutional payment summary for completeness. Reconciles SNBG funds for reporting by mid-September. Assists in determining over awards or over- payments and deciding steps necessary to rectify each situation. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 30Job Duty | Validates students’ eligibility for Pell Grants and SEOG. Verifies accuracy of awards prior to submitting payment information electronically to the U.S. Department of Education. Reviews disbursement reports to ensure Pell Grant funds have been accurately and fully disbursed. Maintains accounting of end- of-the-year institutional payment summary for completeness. Assists the Director with monthly reconciliation of Pell Grant and SEOG funds. Assists in determining over-awards or over-payments and deciding steps necessary to rectify each situation. Provides technical and accounting support for the Federal Pell Grant and SEOG Programs. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Counsel’s students and parents concerning all aid programs, debt management and budgeting. Assist in reviewing incoming financial aid applications for all programs in terms of accuracy and completeness; determines necessary supplemental information and requests same. Reviews and verifies incoming data as it relates to the student’s application. Adjusts applicant data and completes corrections if required. Adjusts computer fields and recalculates data to reflect applicant’s eligibility on anticipated or current enrollment status. Completes applications in thepreparation for automated award process or manually awards financial aidpackages in accordance with federal regulations and office awardingphilosophy. Monitors and resolves potential over-awards and adjusts awards ifnecessary. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 15Job Duty | Serves as backup for the Assistant Director in the administering and awarding of USC Aiken Academic Scholarships and SC State Scholarships. Assist in reconciliation of all scholarship funds. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 15Job Duty | Serves as a backup financial aid counselor when needed for walk-ins. Assists with handling incoming phone calls. Assists students and parents, answering questions and understanding financial aid programs. Determines if any necessary supplemental information is needed and informs student/parents of such. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 10Job Duty | Other duties as assigned. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 5
Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive | No Hazardous weather category | Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies | 1 Desired Start Date | Job Open Date | 09/23/2026 Job Close Date | 10/13/2026 Open Until Filled | No Special Instructions to Applicant | In addition to completing the online application, please also upload your resume and a separate cover letter.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by October 13, 2026. Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/213605 EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
Yes
No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
Optional Documents
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