Financial Aid Counselor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Rootstown Township (OH); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare Coverage

14% employer retirement match

Paid time off

Hybrid work environment

Educational benefits

Lean Six Sigma training

Wellness programs

Job summary

NEOMED is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to advise students and families on aid programs and applications. You will review and process aid, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies while delivering exceptional customer service to support enrollment.

Join the Admissions and Financial Aid team in a hybrid work environment with opportunities for professional growth, Lean Six Sigma training, and comprehensive benefits including healthcare, retirement, PTO, and tuition

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum one year of experience in a higher education financial aid office or customer-facing role in a financial institution.
• Working knowledge of federal financial aid websites and software.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalized financial guidance to prospective and continuing students, developing tailored financing plans.
• Manage financial aid awarding for an assigned caseload with accuracy and compliance.
• Assist in maintaining compliance and the Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

FAA Access to CPS Online

EdConnect

NSLDS

COD Mainframe

Job description

Financial Aid Counselor

Position Type: Admin/Professional

Department: Admissions and Financial Aid

Full or Part Time: Full Time

Pay Grade: MN6

Summary: Responsible for advising students and families on financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes. This role involves reviewing and processing financial aid applications, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies, and providing exceptional customer service to assist students in achieving their educational goals.

Principal Functional Responsibilities:

Student Advising and Support: Provide personalized financial guidance to both prospective and continuing students, ensuring they understand and secure funding for their education. Using a case-management approach, collaborate with financial aid and admissions teams to develop tailored financing plans. Upon a student's commitment to NEOMED, assist with financial planning and matriculation tasks to support enrollment. Lead financial wellness initiatives, scholarship education, and loan counseling while partnering with stakeholders to maximize available aid and promote responsible debt management.

Financial Aid Processing: Manage financial aid awarding for an assigned caseload, collaborating with senior staff to ensure accuracy and compliance. Responsibilities include verifying application materials, packaging aid using federal and institutional methodologies, resolving discrepancies in applications and loan origination, and completing Return of Title IV calculations. Counsel students on Satisfactory Academic Progress, assess their academic standing, and communicate with those not meeting university requirements. May be required to process requests for funding through the Veterans Affairs Administration.

Financial Aid Compliance and Office Support: Support compliance and office management by staying informed on federal, state, and institutional aid regulations through professional development. Assist in maintaining the Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual, participate in annual quality improvement efforts to enhance operations and student experience, and work in alignment with the university's Strategic Plan.

Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum one year of experience in a higher education financial aid office (this requirement may be fulfilled through employment as a graduate assistant) or financial institution in a customer-facing capacity.
• Working knowledge of Federal financial aid websites and software, including but not limited to FAA Access to CPS Online, EdConnect, NSLDS, and the COD Mainframe.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, financial aid, and billing module, and extensive computer experience with Microsoft Office Suite software.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to utilize a phone, computer, and other office equipment. Ability to work nights and weekends during peak seasons and to travel for conference training opportunities.

Department Specific Information

Join Northeast OhioMedical University's (NEOMED) Office of Admissions and Financial Aid

NEOMED is a mission-driven, community-basedmedical university committed to educating health professionals,advancing discovery, and improving the health of our region. We areseeking an Financial Aid Counselorwho wantsto contribute to meaningful work in a collaborative academicenvironment.

At our organization, we are committed to fostering a collaborativeand team-oriented environment that is essential to fulfilling ourmission. We believe every employee should feel appreciated, valued,and empowered. To maintain a supportive organizational culture, weseek individuals whose values align with our mission and who thrivein a team-based approach. We encourage individuals whose valuesalign with this collaborative approach to apply.

Starting Salary Range: $38,811 – $40,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits & Perks

Healthcare Coverage

• Competitive medical,dental, and vision insurance through Medical Mutual
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account(HSA)
• Short-and long-term disability coverage, Long-term care coverage options, and Life insurance

Retirement

• State retirement plan with 14% employer matching to help you plan for the future

Paid Time Off

• Generous vacation and sick leave, in addition to 11 paid holidays each year

Additional Benefits

• Hybrid work environment (up to two remote days per week after six months) (Policy#3349-7-151)
• Educational benefits with our partner universities(Policy#3349-07-45)
• Ongoing investment in your professional growth through on-site training and Lean Six Sigma certification
• Employee wellness activities and initiatives that support a healthy work-life balance

NEOMED is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a foster parent, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, NEOMED also affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies and practices. In compliance with Title IX (20 U.S.C Sec. 1681 et seq.), NEOMED prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment.