Financial Aid Counselor

University Support Services, LLC; Great River (NY); On-site; USD 45,050 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking an Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist to assist graduate students with financial aid processes. The role involves counseling students, processing applications, and ensuring accurate information exchange. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and organizational skills, along with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience.

Qualifications

• At least one year of financial aid experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise Canadian students on aid processes.
• Process Canadian aid applications and ensure accuracy.
• Provide administrative support and other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Counseling Skills

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Excel

Office 365

Banner

Job description

Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist

This Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist (ISFAS) incorporates the full range of institutional student financial assistance responsibilities; including assisting graduate level students in the application process, resolving Canadian aid eligibility issues, processing Canadian and Institutional aid and providing information on loan repayment. The ISFAS works on an individual basis with students to provide information in an accurate, timely, professional, and courteous manner. The ISFAS possesses a compassionate and respectful understanding of financially related issues and is sensitive to the level of stress students may experience from these issues. This position reports to the Senior Associate Director, Institutional Student Financial Assistance.

Essential Functions

• Counsel and advise Canadian students on federal/provincial aid processes, eligibility, applications and renewals.
• Process Canadian aid applications and ensure accuracy in processing.
• Counsel and adjust budget and aid for students with curriculum changes;
• Presents ISFA information at admission events and webinars.
• Counsel students on budgeting issues and financial obligations to the University and determine student need
• Counsel eligible student populations on Institutional Loan applications, processes, and renewals.
• Process Institutional Student Loans (ISLs), coordinate eligibility with respective colleagues and originate new loans and term by term renewals.
• Responsible for International Student Financial Aid Appeals (counseling, application and supporting documents, presenting appeal to committee).
• Provide administrative support along with other tasks as assigned.
• Ensures that students provide required documentation for ISL consideration
• Work collaboratively with other university departments and divisions to ensure accurate and timely exchange of information between department
• Supports all day-to-day operations of the Institutional Student Financial Assistance Office.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, counseling, and written & verbal communication skills
• Manage large volume of materials efficiently and apply complex guidelines accurately
• Demonstrated experience presenting to small and large groups
• Demonstrated experience providing outstanding customer-focused advising in a fast-paced team environment
• Demonstrated quantitative skills
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Problem identification and critical thinking skills
• Proficient in Excel, and familiar with Office 365, Banner
• Detail-oriented
• Committed to a high level of quality customer service

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• At least one year of financial aid experience or scholarship experience preferred
• Proficient in Excel, and familiar with Office 365 and Banner

Hours and Travel

• A typical work week is 37.5 hours, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
• Flexibility and willingness to work evening hours and weekends in support of peak-time initiatives
• Flexibility to work hours outside of normal business hours to accommodate students throughout various time zones
• Travel as needed to execute key initiatives and deliverables at admissions events, webinars and other student facing settings

The anticipated salary range for Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist is $45,050 to $53,000. The final salary offered may vary and will be determined based on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education of the successful candidate. This information is provided per NYS local law.

We Are

·Student Centric:We approach every task with a focus on supporting our students to achieve their lifelong learning goals in a safe, vibrant and welcoming environment.

·A Global Community:We are one team with an international outlook welcoming the strength in our diversity and the value each of us brings to what we do.

·Accountable:We take responsibility for our actions by being responsive, resourceful and respectful in delivering on our commitments with integrity and the highest ethical standards.

·Collaborative:We support and empower one another through open communications, cooperation, sharing knowledge and taking time to always listen and show we care.

·Committed to Excellence:We take pride in our ongoing pursuit for continuous improvement through creativity, rigor and best practices to produce meaningful outcomes.

About University Support Services, LLC
University Support Services LLC (USS) is an affiliate of St. George's University (SGU), a leading provider of international medical education. SGU students and faculty come from 151 countries to the island of Grenada, located in the West Indies. Our purpose is to support SGU to deliver best in class education for all SGU students. We put a special focus on the growing global need for diverse high-quality medical and healthcare professionals. USS is pivotal in positioning SGU as a premiere medical degree institute through its student-facing as well as functional support teams.

USS is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is company policy to fill positions with qualified candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including sexual orientation and gender presentation), age, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States (including veteran status) or status as a victim of domestic violence, except where there is a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy protects applicants and employees from discrimination in the hiring process.