Financial Aid Counselor (Processing)

Missouri State University; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Springfield is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to guide students and parents through financial aid processes including federal and state aid eligibility. This full-time position involves advising on loan repayment, organizing events, and assisting with departmental policy development, ensuring effective support for financial aid programs.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree.
• Preferred: Master’s degree.
• One year of successful professional work experience.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and parents on financial aid programs.
• Assist with FAFSA completion and aid eligibility.
• Evaluate financial aid applications and determine eligibility.

Skills

Effective Communication

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Cultural Awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The first date of consideration is June 13, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Please attach an unofficial transcript to your application. Please note that documents that contain passwords, digital signatures, and other artifacts such as watermarks may not convert properly. If your document contains any of these items, please print and scan the document, then upload the scanned version to your application. Official transcripts required at time of hire.

Position Information

Position Title

Work Location

Work Location Springfield Campus

Department

HR Home Department

HR Home Department 080122 FINANCIAL AID

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 42

Proposed Salary

Proposed Salary $43,888 annually

Sponsorship Information

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees?

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees? No, Position is available to all applicants.

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Full Time Regular

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

General Function

The Financial Aid Counselor’s duties include counseling and advising students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluating Financial Aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collecting data and keeping accurate records. #LI-CP1

General Function The Financial Aid Counselor’s duties include counseling and advising students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluating Financial Aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collecting data and keeping accurate records. #LI-CP1

Description of Primary Duties

• Provides guidance directly to students on a wide range of topics including but not limited to federal aid eligibility, state aid eligibility, private student loans, loan repayment, university balance concerns, and default prevention
• Assists students and families with FAFSA completion and other aid eligibility requirements
• Exercises professional judgement as it impacts students’ federal aid eligibility and fits within limitations provided by the US Department of Education
• Represents the Office of Student Financial Aid at internal and external events with students, staff, and community partners
• Supports a unit within the department in matters related to aid packaging, FAFSA verification, and other aid eligibility reviews
• Assists in the development of departmental policy
• Serves as co-author to departmental website and a fleet of institutional forms
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Associate Director, or Director

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience: One year of successful professional work experience is required; experience in financial aid, university administration, or a related field is preferred. Preference will be given to individuals with more than minimum experience in a highly automated, financial aid office at an institution which resembles Missouri State University in size and complexity of program administration.

Skills: Must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with students, parents, high school counselors, fellow employees, college administrators, and other constituents of the University. Must be comfortable speaking before groups of students and parents. Must be able to relate effectively to all publics and must have strong organizational and time management skills. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Additional Qualifications

Link to Job Description

Link to Job Description http://www.missouristate.edu/human/jobdescriptions/21315.htm

Open Date

Open Date 05/23/2025

Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)

Special Instructions to Applicants

The first date of consideration is June 13, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Please attach an unofficial transcript to your application. Please note that documents that contain passwords, digital signatures, and other artifacts such as watermarks may not convert properly. If your document contains any of these items, please print and scan the document, then upload the scanned version to your application. Official transcripts required at time of hire.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement



Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.




This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.




The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, [e-mail] , 417-836-4252.

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this vacancy?
  • Indeed
  • Linkedin
  • Missouri State University Website
  • Google
  • Employee Referral
  • Job Alerts
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Personal Contacts / Networking
  • Job Board (CareerBuilder.com, Monster, etc.)
  • Other
• * Please specify the recruitment source where you located this posting. If you selected Employee Referral above, please list the name of the current MSU employee who referred you.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have a Bachelor's degree?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you a current full-time regular Missouri State University employee?
  • Yes, I am a current full-time faculty/staff University employee.
  • No, I am not currently employed by the University.
  • No, I am a current per course faculty member.
  • No, I am a current part-time staff University employee.
  • No, I am a current University graduate assistant or teaching assistant.
  • No, I am a current student University employee.
Required Documents
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcripts - 1
Optional Documents
• Letter of Recommendation-1 (Non-confidential)
• Letter of Recommendation-2 (Non-confidential)
• Letter of Recommendation-3 (Non-confidential)
• Other Documents -1
• Unofficial Transcripts -2
• Unofficial Transcripts -3

If you have questions:
Office of Human Resources
(t)417-836-5102
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have student employment questions:
Student Employment Services
(t)417-836-5627
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.