Financial Aid Counselor

Concordia University Chicago; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 39,520 - 42,120; Full time

Job summary

Concordia University Chicago is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor responsible for evaluating and verifying student data to award financial aid. You will counsel students on their financial aid eligibility and provide information regarding financial assistance programs.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree and experience in financial aid or student services is preferred. This role demands exceptional interpersonal skills and a commitment to the values of a Lutheran higher education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Experience in financial aid or student services preferred.
• Understanding of Lutheran higher education.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in operating the financial aid program.
• Counsel students about aid eligibility and academic progress.
• Attend financial aid workshops to stay updated on regulations.
• Perform file review and awarding of all financial aid funds.
• Assist with the financial aid application process.
• Conduct financial aid presentations.

Skills

Customer service oriented

Strong decision-making abilities

Detail-oriented

Organizational ability

Strong interpersonal communication skills

Collaborative work

Knowledge of financial aid technologies

Experience with Excel and Word

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Banner

Excel

Word

Access

Job description

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state, institutional, and outside financial aid funds. Student eligibility is determined in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, policies and procedures. A person in this position is responsible for counseling students on matters of financial aid eligibility, and for providing necessary information regarding student financial assistance programs to various constituencies.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Provide assistance to the Director for the operation of a comprehensive financial aid program
• Counsel students regarding their aid eligibility, academic progress, and student accounts
• Attend financial aid workshops and remain current on Federal and State regulations
• Perform file review, verification and awarding of all financial aid funds
• Assist students with the financial aid application process
• Interpret and explain financial aid packages and processes to students, faculty and staff members
• Conduct financial aid presentations
• Certify and process applications for all educational loan programs
• Assist with yearly audit functions
• Assist with gathering data for institutional and governmental reports
• Serve as a financial aid resource person to the Graduate and/or Undergraduate Admission Office
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid

Skill Sets

• Customer service oriented
• Strong decision-making abilities
• Must be detail-oriented
• High degree of organizational ability
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities on and off campus
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, the public and representatives of lending institutions
• Knowledge of Banner or similar financial aid technologies preferred
• Experience with Excel, Word and report writing software, such as Access

Minimum Experience Required

Required Bachelor's Degree, financial aid, student loan or student services experience preferred, understanding and appreciation of Lutheran higher education. In addition to the technical knowledge required for this position the counselor will need to have a thorough understanding of the role of financial aid programs within a private college environment, a commitment to the mission of a selective church-related college, exhibit exceptional interpersonal skills, and be market-sensitive and responsive to students.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

Salary: $39,520.00 - $42,120.00 per year

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.