Financial Aid Counselor

Saint Martin's University; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Martin’s University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to serve as the first point of contact for students and families seeking financial aid information and awards.

The role involves advising on aid eligibility, processing aid documents, and coordinating with external funding sources. The counselor will support outreach activities and assist in implementing office policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in financial aid or related student services.
• Experience with financial aid awarding is desirable.
• Experience using PowerFAIDS software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counsel current and prospective students and families about financial aid eligibility and awards.
• Serve as the initial contact via phone, email, walk-ins, and virtual appointments.
• Monitor outside billing sources of aid (outside scholarships, Tuition Assistance, tuition remission, Tuition Exchange, Veteran’s benefits).
• Assist in processing aid and support outreach efforts of the Financial Aid Office.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Attention to detail

Data entry

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Regular Non-Ex Staff w Benef

Salary: $40,000.00 Annually

The Financial Aid Counselor is one of the initial contacts representing the Office of Financial Aid. This position assists the department in all aspects of the implementation of office policy, procedure, and operation. This person counsels current and prospective students and their families, University faculty and staff, as well as the public at large, about financial aid eligibility determination and award processes. As such, this position is primarily responsible for serving as the initial point of contact via phone, email, walk-ins, and virtual appointments. This person is responsible for monitoring all outside billing sources of aid, including outside scholarships, Tuition Assistance, tuition remission, Tuition Exchange, and Veteran’s benefits, as applicable. This position is also responsible for supporting the Assistant Directors in processing aid and assisting in the overall outreach to students.

Saint Martin’s University is more than just a place of learning—it’s a welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff come together with purpose and heart. Founded in 1895 by the Benedictine monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, we are grounded in the timeless Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and balance. These values, combined with a Saint Martin’s liberal arts education, shape our approach to education and daily life, encouraging students to think deeply, act with compassion, and serve with purpose.

As part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we honor the integration of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and a shared responsibility for the common good. Our mission is to form graduates who are not only intellectually curious and ethically grounded, but also deeply committed to building a more just and equitable world. At Saint Martin’s, we care about the whole person.

Our supportive campus culture is built to help students thrive—academically, personally, and professionally. We pay special attention to the needs of those who have been historically underserved, and we work intentionally to create an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all.

We warmly invite mission-driven individuals to join our community—not just to work here, but to be part of something meaningful. Together, we educate students who go on to make a positive difference in their lives, their communities, and the world.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Function as the initial contact in the Office of Financial Aid, in person, by phone/text, by email, and through virtual appointments with current and prospective students, parents of students, University faculty and staff, and the public.
• Provide information to current and prospective students about the aid application process and their status, as well as address the immediate needs of students, parents, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Assist with the preparation of forms and materials for distribution and mailing.
• Assist with Admissions and other campus events as a representative of the Financial Aid team.
• Present at financial aid workshops to high school students and parents, campus groups, and other community groups.
• Assist office staff with routine and advanced clerical duties.
• Responsible for adding outside scholarships and other third-party resources.
• Assess documents received and input into PowerFAIDS system.
• Assist in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrate strong, positive customer service skills. Is able to anticipate and recognize the concerns of constituents even if those concerns are not openly expressed.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material, including but not limited to federal, state, and institutional rules, regulations, and guidelines governing financial aid funding.
• Is able to apply laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines appropriately.
• Apply and abide by the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and confidentiality issues.
• Must have strong technical and mathematical skills as well as effective use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and other relevant computer-based programs.
• Demonstrates the ability to be self-motivated, work independently, with minimal direct supervision.
• The ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people in extremely difficult situations. Responds to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintain good working relationships among internal and external customers.
• Demonstrates effectiveness when working in a stressful, fast-paced environment and effectively manages multiple projects simultaneously.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with co-workers and colleagues across the University.
• Accurately enters data and prepares documents. Carefully reviews work before submission.
• Demonstrate strong multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to perform the tasks of promoting diversity and social justice.
• Knowledge of best practices related to supporting diverse student populations, including students of color, students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, first generation students, students with disabilities, and other historically marginalized identities.
• Is supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education and able to articulate and support the University’s mission statement.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• One (1) year of experience in financial aid with significant exposure to regulations governing financial aid or similar student service experience.
• Experience with financial aid awarding is desirable.
• Experience using PowerFAIDS software is preferrable.
• Some weekend and evening hours may be required.
• Successfully pass a background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Physical demands include:

• Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
• Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting.
• Learning and comprehending.
• Requires visual concentration on detail.
• Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer
• May occasionally be required to deal with distraught people.
• Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality relating to all issues in the department and Saint Martin’s University