Financial Aid Counselor
Listed compensation
$37,791 - $45,357
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Title: Financial Aid Counselor
Position Summary
In adherence with institutional, state, and federal guidelines, the Financial Aid Counselor assists in the administration of student aid programs for a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students.
Essential Job Functions/Job Duties and Responsibilities
Analyzes student verification files for accuracy and makes corrections as necessary. Evaluates students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress. Awards students federal and/or state aid. Counsel students regarding file completion, repercussions of drops/withdrawals and SAP appeals.
Processes reports for 3rd party awards, unusual enrollment, small comp list, selective service list, etc. Certifies Voc Rehab funds on FAST (state system).
Coordinates and works FAFSA workshops and presentations. Stays abreast of current student aid programs and requirements through ongoing training and by attending conferences and seminars.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Two years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree related field, such as Accounting, Business or Counseling Prior experience in a financial service setting or in a higher education environment in a financial aid or student counseling role
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to communicate with a diverse group of students and parents regarding financial aid. Must be detail oriented and organized while maintaining high degree of accuracy. Knowledge of financial aid regulations. Ability to review, interpret, and make professional judgments on complex issues while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.
Open Until Filled: Yes
Rate of Pay: $37,791.00 - $45,357.00 depending on experience
Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application process. Official transcripts are required upon hire. Applicants may be subject to a background check.
Key Responsibilities
The Financial Aid Counselor administers student aid programs by analyzing verification files, evaluating Satisfactory Academic Progress, and awarding federal and/or state aid in compliance with institutional and federal guidelines. This role also involves counseling students on file completion and processing various financial aid reports.
Requirements
Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in any field and two years of relevant experience. Preferred qualifications suggest a degree in a related field like Accounting, Business, or Counseling, along with prior experience in financial services or higher education financial aid.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Financial Aid Counselor at Tennessee Board of Regents a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Counseling — ranked against 13,338 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc.
Financial Aid — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 42% have no call, 60% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$42k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $45k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Location & Logistics
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$42k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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