College Counselor - Financial Aid Specialist

Great Expectations College Prep, LLC; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 152,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan with company match

Paid time off

Technology stipend

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Life insurance and LTD coverage

Regular professional development

Job summary

Great Expectations College Prep, LLC seeks a Financial Aid Specialist to guide families through FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional aid, helping optimize affordability and informed decisions about paying for college.

This part-time role supports multiple clients with growth opportunities into management, including workshops, timely submissions, and clear communication of complex financial concepts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a Top-50 institution required; background in finance, education, counseling, or related field preferred.
• Experience in financial aid counseling, college counseling, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of FAFSA, CSS Profile, and financial aid systems.
• Experience interpreting financial aid award letters and advising on affordability.

Responsibilities

• Guide families through the full financial aid process, including FAFSA and CSS Profile.
• Advise on EFC / SAI and affordability strategies.
• Identify relevant scholarship opportunities and manage timelines.
• Translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance for families.
• Partner with college counselors to align financial strategy with admissions strategy.
• Track deadlines and ensure timely submission of all financial aid materials.
• Maintain organized documentation across multiple clients.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a Top-50 institution

Tools

College counseling software

Spreadsheets

Data management tools

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a detail-oriented, strategic, and highly dynamic Financial Aid Specialist to support students and families through the complex financial side of the college admissions process. This role is responsible for demystifying financial aid, optimizing affordability strategies, and guiding families toward informed decisions about paying for college.

Pending client availability, it is expected that counselors have the capacity to work with a minimum of 5 students per graduating class. This is a part-time position with excellent opportunities for growth (including full-time management roles); hours depend on client load and the scope of client work we receive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Aid Strategy & Counseling

• Guide families through the full financial aid process, including FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional aid applications
• Help families understand Expected Family Contribution (EFC) / Student Aid Index (SAI) and how it impacts affordability
• Advise on need-based vs. merit-based aid strategies

Scholarship Planning

• Identify relevant scholarship opportunities aligned with student profiles
• Support students in developing competitive scholarship applications (essays, resumes, positioning)
• Create and manage scholarship timelines and submission strategies
• Educate families on realistic scholarship expectations and trade-offs

Education & Communication

• Translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance for families
• Lead workshops or webinars on financial aid and paying for college
• Proactively communicate updates, deadlines, and changes in financial aid policies

Process & Collaboration

• Partner with college counselors to align financial strategy with admissions strategy
• Track deadlines and ensure timely submission of all financial aid materials
• Maintain organized documentation and communication across multiple clients

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from a Top-50 institution required, background in finance, education, counseling, or related field preferred
• Experience in financial aid counseling, college counseling, or a related field
• Strong working knowledge of FAFSA, CSS Profile, and financial aid systems
• Experience interpreting financial aid award letters and advising on affordability
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with families
• Ability to explain complex financial concepts in a clear, accessible way
• Demonstrated poise navigating high-pressure, high-expectation client environments
• Proven success working with a range of student engagement levels, from self-driven over-achievers to those requiring strategic re-engagement and motivational scaffolding
• Proficiency in using college counseling software, spreadsheets, and data management tools
• Dedicated, quiet workspace with reliable internet access for virtual sessions

Compensation & Additional Details

• This is a part-time, hourly, non-exempt position with a rate of $90 to $110 per hour DOE
• Eligible employees can participate in certain benefits, including but not limited to:
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Technology stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance and LTD coverage
• Regular professional development courses
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and promotion

** NOTE: We are extremely dedicated to employee engagement and hiring for the long-term. To that end, our recruiting process includes two virtual meetings, an essay editing assignment, a personality assessment, and reference checks. **