Financial Aid Counselor

The College of St. Scholastica; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to provide support to students and families in navigating the financial aid process. The role involves assisting with FAFSA procedures, advising on financial aid programs, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and experience in financial aid or customer service. Responsibilities include counseling, application review, and managing financial aid programs.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in academic, financial, or customer service operations.
• Strong commitment to exceptional customer service.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalized financial aid guidance to students and families.
• Review financial aid applications and ensure compliance.
• Design and lead financial aid workshops and outreach activities.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Communication skills

Financial aid management

Problem-solving

Project management

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Student information systems

Financial aid management systems

Salesforce

Google suite

Job description

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor provides essential support to students and families in navigating the financial aid process. This role includes assisting with the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) application procedures, interpreting federal, state, and institutional policies, and advising students on financial aid programs such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work‑study. The Counselor will ensure students are informed about available financial resources and provide outstanding service to make their educational journey financially feasible.

The approximate base compensation range is posted, but the actual offer will reflect our total compensation and benefits package. The offer will be determined by a number of factors including the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, FTE, number of months worked, as well as internal equity among our team.

Key Responsibilities

• Counseling & Advising:
  • Offer personalized financial aid guidance to prospective and current students and their families, addressing questions on federal and state aid programs, institutional awards, and the overall financial aid process.
  • Assist students in understanding their financial aid packages and guide them on budgeting and managing finances during their academic career.
• Application Review & Processing:
  • Review and assess financial aid applications, including the FAFSA, institutional forms, and other necessary documentation.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations when awarding financial aid. Identify and resolve discrepancies in submitted financial aid applications.
• Program Management:
  • Help manage financial aid programs such as federal grants and student loans.
  • Administer institutional scholarships and grants, ensuring eligibility and accurate disbursement.
  • Assist in creating and updating financial aid policies and procedures.
• Communication:
  • Design and lead financial aid workshops, presentations, and outreach activities for students, families, and staff.
  • Maintain clear communication with students regarding the status of their financial aid applications, award updates, and any additional required documentation.
• Problem Resolution & Customer Service:
  • Address complex financial aid inquiries or issues promptly and professionally.
  • Offer support to students facing financial challenges by providing suggestions for additional resources or alternative payment options.
• Compliance & Reporting:
  • Stay up-to-date on federal and state financial aid regulations to ensure activities comply with relevant laws and institutional policies.
  • Assist in preparing reports and audits related to financial aid disbursements and student eligibility.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Two (2) years of experience in academic, financial or customer service operations support, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Knowledge of college enrollment management processes, including admissions, registration, financial aid, and student services.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong commitment to providing exceptional customer service to students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Excellent communication skills, including active listening, professional written communication, and public speaking abilities.
  • Proficiency with computer applications, including student information systems, financial aid management systems, customer relationship management tools, and office software (Word, Excel, etc.).
  • Ability to perform and document financial aid calculations accurately.
  • Experience in creating and revising financial aid award notifications.
  • Skilled in exercising discretion, independent judgment, and adhering to established guidelines.
  • Ability to problem‑solve student aid issues and processing discrepancies effectively.
  • Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage projects, research solutions, and take initiative.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively within a team to achieve departmental goals and objectives.
  • Cultural competence with the ability to work with individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds.
• Other Requirements:
  • Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends for special events (e.g., Accepted Student Day, FAFSA completion events) and during peak times (e.g., application deadlines).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a Financial Aid Office.
• Familiarity with Ellucian (BANNER), Workday or a similar student information system.
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar customer relationship management system.
• Knowledge of and experience with automated financial aid systems, such as COD, NSLDS, FAA Access, and CPS.
• Experience with document imaging software.
• Familiarity with the Google suite of office products (Google Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail, Calendar).