Financial Aid Counelor

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Fairfield University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to advise students and families on aid options, verify documentation, and manage a caseload for aid awards. You will support outreach initiatives and ensure compliance with federal and institutional requirements.

Responsibilities include data review, award calculations, and providing outstanding customer service, including evenings or weekends as needed for peak enrollment periods and campus events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with financial aid programs preferred.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial aid advising to students and families.
• Participate in extensive outreach programs.
• Review and verify financial aid data and applications.
• Award and adjust student aid in accordance with policies and regulations.
• Presentations and outreach events may be required.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Counseling

Team player

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Job description

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

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.

EEO Statement

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.

BENEFITS

Eligible employees may receive health, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefits, and other benefits according to institutional policy.

COMPANY CULTURE

Founded in 1942, Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic University rooted in one of the world's oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. With campuses located in Fairfield, CT Bridgeport, CT, and Austin, TX, we strive to create a workforce that is rich in skill, knowledge, and pride in our work. Members of the Fairfield University community exhibit mutual respect, compassion, and inclusivity, aspiring to be a welcoming environment representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace. As our University rises in national prominence, we are committed to fostering a healthy workplace and lifestyle for our employees. At Fairfield, the future is filled with opportunities as limitless as your potential, and they all begin with you.

The expected wage range for this position is $46,000 to $51,000 annually.