Financial Aid Counselor II

Northwood; Midland, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwood University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to assist students and families with eligibility, applications, and deadlines at its Midland, Michigan campus. You will work with the FA Office, Admissions, Business Office, and other departments to ensure timely awarding, posting, and reconciliation of aid from federal, state, institutional, and private sources.

The role emphasizes customer service, accuracy, compliance, and ability to meet enrollment goals while supporting teamwork and

Qualifications

• Computer and analytical skills required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students regarding financial aid eligibility and deadlines.
• Process and review aid files from multiple sources (federal/state/institutional).
• Support budgeting, awarding, posting, and reconciliation of aid.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure timely delivery of aid.
• Monitor reporting deadlines and respond to internal/external requests.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Provide support to the director while providing quality customer service in all aspects of awarding federal, state, institutional, and private aid to NU students. Provide student/parent counseling and assistance and support for the financial aid team effort among all key stakeholders (i.e., FA Office, Admissions, Business Office, Registrar, HR, Payroll, Finance, Advancement, etc.) in awarding, payment, and reconciliation of aid, National Clearinghouse Reporting and federal and institutional student employment. Assure all aspects of institutional, federal, state, and private sources of financial aid are delivered/processed in a timely and compliant manner.

• Support and understand Northwood’s Code of Ethics, Values, and Outcomes
• Support and understand the department's role in meeting enrollment and retention goals
• Support Private Donor Scholarship Committee through entire process of system setup with Advancement, scheduling of committee meetings, assist with pre-matching process, recording of matched awards for delivery of funds to student accounts, and student/donor communication
• Provide student employment support working closely with HR, departmental and off-site supervisors, payroll, international student services, and accounts payable
• Office supervision of student employee(s)
• Exporting and importing of federal and state data records for the university
• Assist in the processing and monitoring of the National Clearinghouse enrollment database.
• Counsel students regarding financial aid eligibility, application processing and deadlines
• Provide efficient and timely file review, need analysis, awarding, and posting of all types of financial aid (i.e., scholarships, grants, loans, work study, book vouchers, etc.) from all sources (i.e., federal, state, institutional, outside, etc.)
• Monitor web and social media sites and update departmental web content as needed
• Assist in meeting internal and external reporting deadlines
• Monitor and report state aid to the applicable agencies
• Monitor enrollment at census date and adjust aid if applicable
• Special projects as assigned
• Engage students at orientations, open houses, and special events on and off campus

• Have a Bachelor’s degree
• Have two to three years of financial aid experience
• Computer, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Have excellent communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines, effectively and efficiently

• Thoroughly understand federal and/or state regulations and institutional policies
• Effectively collaborate with key departments while continually striving for quality customer service
• Continue to assist in the training of team members within key departments
• Support and assist in the team environment among staff members and key departments to provide effective, quality service to our internal and external customers.
• Support and assist in the efforts of collaborating among the business units to become One Northwood

Northwood University stands apart in higher education with a philosophy grounded in The Northwood Idea - emphasizing freedom, free enterprise, personal responsibility, and limited government. We seek individuals who are both accomplished in their professions and inspired by the power of enterprise to improve lives. The ideal candidate will feel a strong alignment with Northwood’s mission and values, embracing a culture of academic excellence, accountability, and earned success.

ABOUT NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY

Northwood University develops free-enterprise leaders who drive global social and economic progress by promoting the importance of free enterprise, ethics, individual freedom, personal responsibility, rule of law, and earned success. Private, nonprofit, accredited, and guided by The Northwood Idea, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at a full-service, residential campus located in Midland, Michigan. Northwood Online is offered in multiple states and online for students with transfer credits and work experience who are looking to complete their undergraduate degree. The DeVos Graduate School of Management offers MBA and Master of Science degrees in Finance, Business Analytics, Human Resources, and Organizational Leadership with day, evening, and online delivery options. The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is delivered online, with a differentiated focus on leadership and business analytics using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

International education is offered through study abroad and at International Program Centers in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka, Ghana, and France. Learn more about America's Free Enterprise University at www.northwood.edu.