Financial Aid Counselor

Fairfield University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT seeks a Financial Aid Counselor to support the Enrollment Management team. You will advise students and parents on financial aid eligibility, verify files, and participate in outreach programs to promote financial literacy.

The role includes managing a caseload, awarding and adjusting aid according to policy, and presenting outcomes during peak enrollment seasons; occasional evenings and weekends may be required to support events and deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience advising students on financial aid preferred
• Willingness to work nights/weekends during peak enrollment

Responsibilities

• Advise students and parents on financial aid eligibility and procedures
• Review and verify student files for awarding and adjustments
• Manage a caseload and prepare award notifications
• Present financial literacy and outreach programs
• Occasional night/weekend outreach and events

Skills

Customer service

Financial aid advising

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description:

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuituniversity with a 200-acre campus located along the scenicshoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprisedof approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate studentspursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts andSciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School ofEngineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and HealthStudies, and School of Education and Human Development. As anexpression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfieldembraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouragingcritical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fosteringethical and religious values.

DIVISION:

Enrollment Management

DEPARTMENT:

Office of Financial Aid

REPORTS TO:

Executive Director of Financial Aid

BASIC FUNCTION:

Advises and counsels students, parents andother interested parties regarding financial aid programs; Verifiesstudent files in accordance with federal and institutionalrequirements; Processes financial aid appeals; Manages a project orset of projects directly related to the management of financial aidprograms and collaboration with other offices on campus; Conductson and off campus financial aid and financial literacypresentations; Participates in the growth and development of thedepartment; Promotes safe and secure working conditions. Nights andweekends may be required during peak enrollment season and tosupport events being hosted by campus partners.

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS:

Exposure to highly confidentialinformation

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Financial Aid Counselor will providefinancial aid advising, participation in an extensive outreachprogram, financial aid data review, verification, awarding andadjusting awards of student financial aid files, and responsiblefor a specific student financial aid program/office function.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include but are notlimited to the following: financial aid advising, participating inan extensive outreach program, and financial aid data review.

Daily duties involve the following:

• Providing outstanding customer service while demonstratingpatience and understanding to students and families who are seekingand/or receiving financial aid;
• Advising students about financial aid eligibility, applicationprocedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs,and financial management strategies, including debt management andfinancial planning;
• Counseling students and parents regarding financing aneducation at the university (heavy contact with students andfamilies via e-mail, phone and in-person);
• Managing a student caseload and reviewing student applicationsfor accuracy to determine financial need and award aid inaccordance with applicable federal, state, and institutionalpolicies and regulations;
• Calculating student award packages utilizing various softwareprograms and federal, state and university resources, includinggift aid and self-help; maintaining compliance with federal andstate regulations and the internal policies and procedures of theuniversity, and monitoring and verifying information with requireddocuments;
• Processing applications and corrections, need analysis,document tracking and evaluation of those documents; verifyingaccuracy of documents and consistency of financial aid data,federal tax transcripts, financial aid verification documents andstudent information, and generating award notifications or denyingaid if ineligible; and
• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekends, and mustbe available for presentations and outreach events with littlenotice.

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

Category:

Enrollment Management - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities asrequired by supervisor and as departmental/University needsindicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level ofwork performed by employees within this classification. It is notdesigned to contain and should not be interpreted as acomprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities,activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employeesassigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities maychange and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or withoutnotice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactorybackground check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to allemployees and applicants for employment and prohibitsdiscrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status,genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, or any other characteristic protected byfederal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms andconditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves ofabsence, compensation and training.