Financial Aid Counselor

Warner Pacific College; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Warner Pacific University in Portland, OR seeks a Financial Aid Counselor to support day-to-day financial aid operations, interpret policies, counsel students and families, and prepare aid packages in accordance with regulations. This role requires attention to detail and strong communication across campus.

The position collaborates with multiple departments, manages deadlines, and assists with loan counseling and outreach events, including evenings or campus activities when needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience in a professional office environment.
• Bachelor degree from an accredited institution or equivalent in higher education.
• Ability to solve problems and initiate projects independently.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and customer service mindset.
• Proficient with Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, and Internet.

Responsibilities

• Exercise discretion and independent judgment interpreting policies and regulations.
• Provide one-on-one financial counseling and eligibility information to students/parents.
• Review documents, perform need analysis, and award financial aid packages.
• Verify FAFSA information and prepare aid reports for packaging.
• Present at prospective and new student events and assist with outreach.
• Assist with loan counseling and Direct Lending regulatory guidance.
• Collaborate with departments and manage outstanding balances and payment plans.
• Respond to inquiries regarding eligibility, verification, and other questions.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in higher education

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary Description:

The Financial Aid Counselor provides a variety of professional and administrative duties in support of the day to day operations of Financial Aid in compliance with all policies related to internal and external financial aid requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Exercise discretion and independent judgment through interpretation, implementation, and research of federal and institutional policies and regulations in response to customer needs and departmental practices
• Provide one-on-one financial counseling and eligibility information to students and/or parents according to individual need
• Review documents, perform need analysis, make determinations, and award financial aid packages to eligible students implementing established guidelines and procedures
• Verify student FAFSA information; prepare individual student aid reports for packaging, analyzing information reported for consistency
• Present at prospective and new student events and by request from staff, faculty, and students
• Counsel students on issues related to borrowing including aggregate limit issues, maximum time frame processes and graduation exit requirements
• Work collaboratively with individuals from various departments
• Assist in the management of outstanding account balances and student account payment plans
• Assist with the Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling processes, providing regulatory advice as it pertains to Direct Lending
• Serve as a resource for students seeking outside scholarship opportunities
• Respond in a timely fashion to correspondence related to student financial aid including eligibility information, verification information, and other questions
• Be up to date on prevailing State and Federal regulations and WPU policies and procedures by attending training and conferences as opportunities arise
• Abide by NASFAA Principles of Good Practice
• Contribute to the support and implementation of the University Strategic Plan
• Participate in Warner Pacific University professional development opportunities
• Adhere to University policies and procedures regarding financial aid and student financial services
• Demonstrate commitment to a Christian liberal arts education by upholding to the mission of the University and abiding by the Employment Standards and Lifestyle Agreement
• Be present in the office on a daily basis unless arrangements are made with the employee’s direct supervisor
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of experience working in a professional office environment
• Bachelor Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience in a higher education environment
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently
• Ability to multi-task with accuracy and work effectively in order to adapt to and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working with highly detailed and/or confidential information
• Excellent self-motivation, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work well with customers, students, faculty, and staff
• Skill in presenting information to groups of various sizes
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours, as necessary (campus events, orientations, etc.)
• Proficient in computer programs including Windows, Outlook, Word and Excel, and the Internet
• Exhibit commitment to inclusiveness and sensitivity to areas of national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, and disabilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a higher education environment
• Bilingual – Spanish speaker preferred
• Experience using the Ellucian Colleague student information system
• Experience in financial aid including standard and nonstandard term delivery methods
• Experience working with adult learners

Physical Demands – Work Environment:

The position is located in a typical office environment. Professional/business casual attire is required. There is not a remote work option for this position.

Warner Pacific University’s Mission:

Warner Pacific is a Christ-centered, urban, diverse, minority-serving, Hispanic-serving, liberal arts University dedicated to providing students with an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. Our hiring practices reflect our missional commitment to being a Christ-centered institution.

Warner Pacific University’s Commitment to Diversity:

Warner Pacific Universityis an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks a diverse workforce of committed Christians from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.Warner Pacific University is committed to hiring staff and faculty with an intentionality that demonstrates the importance of having an employee community that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the students we serve.

Employment and Lifestyle Standards:

Warner Pacific is a Christ-centered urban liberal artsUniversitydedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. TheUniversitywas founded in 1937 by the ChurchofGod (Anderson, Indiana). Central to Warner Pacific’sidentity as a Christ-centered higher education institution is the policy of hiring persons whose personal and professional lives reflect:

1. A belief in the deity of and commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, as interpreted through the historic witness of Scripture and the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit.

2. The practice of following Christ through day-to-day personal lifestyle choices.

3. A vitality of Christian experience maturing in insight and application and appreciative of differing viewpoints.

4. A commitment to life-long learning and service through personal and professional development.

5. For teaching faculty, the expression of artful teaching, based on mastery of relevant subject matter and in an environment of purposeful and rigorous inquiry amongst a community of scholars who support one another.

6. A capability, by temperament, preparation, and will, to support students as they confront the intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of their lives.

7. A sensitivity to and support for the mission, core themes, vision, values, ethos and traditions of the Warner Pacific University community.

8. A commitment to teaching and serving in harmony with the doctrines of the Holy Bible.

Employee Agreement:

Mission-based hiring is of critical importance to Warner Pacific University. Employees are expected to demonstrate and articulate a vital Christian faith and to live in a manner consistent with a Christ-centered lifestyle as informed by the Scriptures of the New Testament.

Warner Pacific’s students, faculty and staff are expected to foster an environment of mutual respect and accountability, to care for the personal dignity of others and to exercise integrity in their conduct and communication. The University environment is expected to be free from discrimination and harassment (including bullying). When an individual’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or the well‑being of the University community, there may be cause for institutional involvement, regardless of where the situation occurs.

Warner Pacific University desires to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, faculty, students, visitors and guests. Therefore, smoking is not permitted on University property, in its vehicles, or at any University sponsored event. The use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products is strictly prohibited on Warner Pacific University campuses.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Warner Pacific provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status and any other status protected by laws and regulations to which Warner Pacific is subject. All employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, transfers, and terminations are made in a manner that does not discriminate against individuals in the categories discussed above. Because Warner Pacific is a Christian liberal artsUniversity, theUniversityexercises its legal right to hire Christian employees to fulfill its mission and purpose.