Financial Aid Counselor

Excelsior; United States; Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Albany office on-site two days

Job summary

Excelsior in Albany, NY is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to guide students through the financial aid process, evaluate applications, and ensure compliant administration.

The role offers a hybrid schedule with two on-site days at our Albany office and remote days, core hours 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, for a 37.5-hour week. Excellent communication and regulatory knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in finance, business, or education
• Experience in financial aid administration or related field
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to explain complex financial information to diverse audiences
• Experience with PowerFAIDS preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.
• Evaluate financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Collaborate with admissions and other departments to obtain necessary documentation for assessments.
• Review financial aid packages based on eligibility and need, and communicate award information clearly.
• Conduct workshops to educate students and parents about the aid process and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to applications and awards.
• Stay current on federal and state regulations and attend trainings for professional development

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Associate degree in finance, business, or education

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Job description

Home Office
7 Columbia Circle West Dr
Albany, NY 12203, USA

Description

As a financial aid counselor, you will play a crucial role in assisting students in navigating the financial aid process, ensuring access to education through effective financial planning. Your responsibilities will include evaluating financial aid applications, counseling students on available aid programs, and providing information about funding options. This position requires a keen understanding of financial aid regulations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to promoting accessibility to education.

We believe work should fit your life, not the other way around. Our hybrid schedule includes two days on site in our Albany office, with the flexibility to work remotely the remaining days. Spend less time commuting and more time focusing on meaningful work or personal priorities. Core hours are 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, including a 1-hour lunch, for a 37.5-hour week

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Aid Advising:

• Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility criteria, and application procedures over the phone, email, text, and in virtual meetings.
• Assist students in understanding different types of financial aid programs and amounts of funding available, including grants, scholarships, loans, etc.

Application Processing:

• Evaluate financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines
• Collaborate with other depts to obtain necessary documentation and information for financial aid assessments.
• Review financial aid packages based on students eligibility and financial need
• Communicate award information clearly to students, addressing any inquiries and providing additional guidance as needed
• Conduct workshops and informational sessions to educate students a parents about the financial aid process, application deadlines, and available resources
• Stay current on federal and state financial aid regulations, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements in all aspects of financial aid administration
• Attend trainings and conferences to enhance professional development

Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to financial aid applications, awards, and communications

• Provide excellent student service by promptly responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and guiding students through the financial aid process
• Collaborate with other departments, such as admissions and academic advising, to ensure a coordinated approach in supporting students financial needs
• Other duties as assigned to support the unit or institution

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate degree in a relevant field (e.g., finance, business, education).
• Previous experience in financial aid administration or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex financial information to diverse audiences.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience in PowerFAIDS preferred

The hiring salary range for this position is $40,875- 42,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.