Financial Aid Counselor

Job Description:

DIVISION: Enrollment Management

DEPARTMENT: Office of Financial Aid

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Financial Aid

BASIC FUNCTION:  Advises and counsels students, parents and other interested parties regarding financial aid programs; Verifies student files in accordance with federal and institutional requirements; Processes financial aid appeals; Manages a project or set of projects directly related to the management of financial aid programs and collaboration with other offices on campus; Conducts on and off campus financial aid and financial literacy presentations; Participates in the growth and development of the department; Promotes safe and secure working conditions. Nights and weekends may be required during peak enrollment season and to support events being hosted by campus partners.

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS:  Exposure to highly confidential information

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Financial Aid Counselor will provide financial aid advising, participation in an extensive outreach program, financial aid data review, verification, awarding and adjusting awards of student financial aid files, and responsible for a specific student financial aid program/office function.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: financial aid advising, participating in an extensive outreach program, and financial aid data review.

Daily duties involve the following:

• Providing outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and/or receiving financial aid;

• Advising students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies, including debt management and financial planning;

• Counseling students and parents regarding financing an education at the university (heavy contact with students and families via e-mail, phone and in-person);

• Managing a student caseload and reviewing student applications for accuracy to determine financial need and award aid in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations;

• Calculating student award packages utilizing various software programs and federal, state and university resources, including gift aid and self-help; maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and the internal policies and procedures of the university, and monitoring and verifying information with required documents;

• Processing applications and corrections, need analysis, document tracking and evaluation of those documents; verifying accuracy of documents and consistency of financial aid data, federal tax transcripts, financial aid verification documents and student information, and generating award notifications or denying aid if ineligible; and

• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekends, and must be available for presentations and outreach events with little notice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with PowerFAIDS financial aid software;

• Possess a strong desire to provide the highest level of service to students and their families, have an energetic and positive approach to work, and be a team player;

• Candidates should possess strong communication skills;

• Knowledge of federal and state aid programs and regulations; and

• Spanish speaking a plus.

• Perform other duties as requested.

Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

Category:

Enrollment Management - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University 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.

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