Financial Aid Coordinator – Counselor

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Financial Aid Coordinator – Counselor. The role involves providing direct student services, delivering high-quality customer service, ensuring compliance with financial aid regulations, and assisting in the development and implementation of office programs and outreach initiatives. Counselors guide students through complex financial aid processes, representing the office while managing aid exceeding $400 million.

Highlights

Provide thorough documentation of student contacts and deliver individualized financial aid counseling regarding application processes and eligibility requirements.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, institutional laws, regulations, and procedures to ensure compliant administration.

Assist with special circumstances and professional judgment reviews of student financial aid applications.

Participate in development and delivery of programs such as New Student Orientation and serve as liaison in designated student programs.

Engage in office outreach activities and support other administrative efforts as needed.

Coordinate with departments related to admissions, housing, academic advisement, and fees payment concerning financial aid responsibilities.

Requirements include a bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 2 years of related experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred experience includes prior work in a student financial aid office or similar higher education environment.

Compensation range spans $44,296 to $64,229 with an anticipated hiring salary of $45,133.

Reports to the Sr. Assistant Director of (Direct) Student Services within the Enrollment Management division's Financial Aid and Scholarships department.

Financial Aid Coordinator – Counselor Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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 July 2, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00354PO26
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/133942
Job Level	P2 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)	Financial Aid Coordinator – Counselor
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	Enrollment Management
Department	EM Financial Aid and Scholarships
State Pay Range	G07
USC Market Range	MRD - $44,296 $54,263 $64,229
Anticipated Hiring Range	$45,133
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, one hour for lunch. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Student Services

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.

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	This position will carry an internal title of Financial Aid Counselor; it is a part of the student services team that has the primary responsibility of direct to student services for the office. The highest quality of customer service and administrative compliance required by federal, state and other funding sources is of primary importance. While not expected to know the specific administration details of programs, Counselors are expected to maintain the level of administrative knowledge needed to guide and assist students in every aspect of and with the more complex technical levels of applying for through receipt of financial aid and scholarships. Financial Aid processed exceed $400 million. Counselors are empowered to represent every area of the office in their interactions and service to students. Counselors will assist in the development and implementation of specific office programs/initiatives. Counselors will take an active role in office and University outreach as needed. Financial Aid Counselors report to the Sr. Assistant Director of (Direct) Student Services.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 2 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	Prior experience in a student financial aid office or comparable higher education environment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Ability to learn and maintain knowledge of federal/state/institutional/office/other-related law, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices required for responsible and compliant administration. Demonstrates responsible discretion in providing service and maintaining professional relationships. Communicates effectively and professionally with a diverse service population. Possesses knowledge of general counseling skills, general enrollment management responsibilities, and public relations, along with a strong desire for ongoing professional and leadership development.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Provides thorough documentation of all action related or information sharing contacts with students.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Maintains a thorough and current working knowledge of federal, state, and other resources by reading professional publications, reviewing other forms of guidance, by participating in ongoing staff professional development and training, and by attending externally provided training opportunities needed to assure compliance in the successful completion of #’s 1 and 2.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Participates in the development and delivery of special programs that contribute to the University’s recruitment and retention of students such as New Student Orientation.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Provides professional oversight to students in designated programs that demand special attention and reports to the Director as appropriate.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Participates in and contributes to the administration of special circumstances/professional judgment reviews of student applications.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Provides thorough and accurate individualized counseling and advisement regarding available financial aid resources, application processes, eligibility requirements, awarding, and aid delivery. Assist with specific administrative responsibilities such as satisfactory academic progress review and application verification. Assists with the office’s responsibilities with areas associated with financial aid such as admissions, housing, academic advisement and scheduling, academic support opportunities, and fees payment.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Participates in student file review to assess application information accuracy and to assess particular situations and needs. Initiates follow-up to resolve inconsistencies and potentially inaccurate information. Performs or initiates all related procedural responsibilities. Initiates student award adjustments to assure compliant coordination of financial aid to every applicant.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Assists in office outreach activities and supports other office administrative efforts when needed.
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	05/19/2026
Job Close Date	07/02/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	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 July 2, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/206593
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job-related field and 2 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education and/or experience?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

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Original Job Description