Financial Aid Counselor

Fairfield University; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University in Connecticut is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to advise students and families on financial aid programs, verify files, review appeals, and manage a focused program within the Office of Financial Aid.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree, a strong customer-service orientation, and the ability to communicate clearly across campus and with families, including outreach events, evenings, and occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience in financial aid counseling or related area preferred.
• Strong customer service and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• financial aid advising, participating in an extensive outreach program, and financial aid data review
• Providing outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and/or receiving financial aid
• Advising students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies
• Counseling students and parents regarding financing an education at the university
• Managing a student caseload and reviewing student applications for accuracy to determine financial need and award aid in accordance with applicable policies
• Calculating student award packages utilizing various software programs and resources
• Maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and internal policies
• Processing applications and corrections, need analysis, document tracking and evaluation
• Verifying accuracy of documents and generating award notifications

Skills

Financial aid counseling

Customer service

Communication skills

Spanish language

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Job description

Job Description

DIVISION: Enrollment Management DEPARTMENT: Office of Financial Aid REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Financial Aid BASIC FUNCTION: Advises and counsels students, parents and other interested parties regarding financial aid programs; Verifies student files in accordance with federal and institutional requirements; Processes financial aid appeals; Manages a project or set of projects directly related to the management of financial aid programs and collaboration with other offices on campus; Conducts on and off campus financial aid and financial literacy presentations; Participates in the growth and development of the department; Promotes safe and secure working conditions. Nights and weekends may be required during peak enrollment season and to support events being hosted by campus partners. UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: Exposure to highly confidential information

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

About the Position

The Financial Aid Counselor will provide financial aid advising, participation in an extensive outreach program, financial aid data review, verification, awarding and adjusting awards of student financial aid files, and responsible for a specific student financial aid program/office function.

Responsibilities

• financial aid advising, participating in an extensive outreach program, and financial aid data review
• Providing outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and/or receiving financial aid
• Advising students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies, including debt management and financial planning
• Counseling students and parents regarding financing an education at the university (heavy contact with students and families via e-mail, phone and in-person)
• Managing a student caseload and reviewing student applications for accuracy to determine financial need and award aid in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations
• Calculating student award packages utilizing various software programs and federal, state and university resources, including gift aid and self-help
• maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and the internal policies and procedures of the university, and monitoring and verifying information with required documents
• Processing applications and corrections, need analysis, document tracking and evaluation of those documents
• verifying accuracy of documents and consistency of financial aid data, federal tax transcripts, financial aid verification documents and student information, and generating award notifications or denying aid if ineligible
• Must be able to work occasional nights and weekends, and must be available for presentations and outreach events with little notice
• Perform other duties as requested. Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PowerFAIDS financial aid software
• Possess a strong desire to provide the highest level of service to students and their families, have an energetic and positive approach to work, and be a team player
• Candidates should possess strong communication skills
• Knowledge of federal and state aid programs and regulations
• Spanish speaking a plus

Disclaimers

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Company Culture

Founded in 1942, Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic University rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. With campuses located in Fairfield, CT Bridgeport, CT, and Austin, TX, we strive to create a workforce that is rich in skill, knowledge, and pride in our work. Members of the Fairfield University community exhibit mutual respect, compassion, and inclusivity, aspiring to be a welcoming environment representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace. As our University rises in national prominence, we are committed to fostering a healthy workplace and lifestyle for our employees. At Fairfield, the future is filled with opportunities as limitless as your potential, and they all begin with you.