Financial Aid Specialist (Part-Time)

Hello College; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Part time

Job summary

HelloCollege is seeking a Part-Time Financial Aid Specialist to assist families with FAFSA, CSS Profile, and aid planning; you will guide applications, compare offers, and maximize aid opportunities from home.

This mid-level role reports to the Director of Counseling and requires a bachelor's degree, 3 years in financial aid, and strong communication across diverse families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 3 years in financial aid or finance.
• Experience with FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional processes.
• Experience advising families at selective/ highly selective colleges.
• Strong knowledge of aid policies and scholarships.

Responsibilities

• Advise families on FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional applications.
• Review award letters and net price calculations.
• Identify scholarship opportunities and merit-based strategies.
• Conduct virtual planning meetings with students and parents.
• Facilitate up to four virtual workshops monthly.
• Maintain documentation in HelloCollege portal.
• Support growth and contribute to company initiatives.

Skills

Warm personality

Customer service

Adaptable

Motivated

Interpersonal skills

Financial discretion

Learning differences

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

At HelloCollege, we help families navigate every aspect of the college planning process—from initial planning through college acceptance. Our comprehensive program includes one-on-one virtual counseling sessions, interactive group workshops, online learning, and other educational resources.

Our goal is to help students gain admission to their top-choice colleges, reduce the cost of college, and graduate on time with a degree and career path aligned with their goals. We strive to reduce the stress and uncertainty of the college planning process by providing students and families with the knowledge, guidance, and support they need to make informed decisions.

About the Role

As a Part-Time Financial Aid Specialist, you will serve as a primary financial aid resource for HelloCollege families, helping them understand and navigate the financial aspects of the college planning process. You will work with families across HelloCollege as financial aid needs arise, providing personalized guidance to help them make informed decisions, complete financial aid applications accurately and on time, and maximize available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

This is a mid-level position for an experienced financial aid professional. The Financial Aid Specialist will report to the Director of Counseling.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary financial aid advisor for HelloCollege families, providing guidance in accordance with HelloCollege program blueprints, service-level agreements, meeting cadence, and response-time expectations.
• Help families make informed decisions about what they can reasonably afford to pay for college and how financial considerations should influence and refine a student's college list.
• Guide families through the completion of the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institution-specific financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
• Review and analyze financial aid award letters and net price calculations, helping families compare offers and identify potential opportunities to appeal or request additional aid.
• Advise families on need-based and merit-based scholarship strategies, including identifying relevant opportunities and understanding application requirements.
• Conduct virtual financial aid planning meetings with students and parents to understand each family's unique financial circumstances and provide tailored recommendations.
• Build positive, trusting, and lasting relationships with students and families.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of family communications, deadlines, action items, and milestones in the HelloCollege portal.
• Facilitate up to four virtual workshops per month, including Paying for College and FAFSA/CSS Profile workshops.
• Maintain current knowledge of FAFSA and CSS Profile changes, federal and institutional financial aid policies, regulations, scholarship opportunities, and trends in higher education funding.
• Contribute to company initiatives that generate referrals, testimonials, consultations, and online reviews.
• Actively participate in team meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, shadowing, and mentoring opportunities.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative company culture and support HelloCollege's continued growth.
• Participate in additional projects and responsibilities as needed, including research, content development, and blog contributions.

Job Requirements

• Part-time availability with regular weekend availability required throughout the year.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3 years experience minimum
• Professional experience in financial aid and/or finance required.
• Demonstrated experience with the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional financial aid processes required.
• Experience advising families on financial aid at selective and highly selective colleges and universities required.
• Strong knowledge of federal and institutional financial aid policies, need-based and merit-based aid, and scholarship opportunities.
• Ability to work with families across a wide range of financial circumstances while providing clear, objective, and judgment-free guidance.
• Ability to connect effectively with students and parents from diverse academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts in a clear and accessible manner.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple families, priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Ability to quickly learn and effectively use new technology, software, and systems.
• Experience with public speaking, presentations, or virtual event facilitation is a plus.

Skills

• Warm, outgoing personality with strong energy and a professional phone and presentation presence.
• Passion for helping families understand and reduce the cost of college.
• Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work with families across multiple time zones and adjust availability as needed to provide responsive, high-quality service.
• Highly motivated, self-directed, and results-oriented.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish rapport with a wide range of students and families.
• Ability to handle sensitive financial information with discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Experience working with students with learning differences is a plus.
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities and contribute to projects outside of core job duties.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Part-Time
• Work Arrangement: Remote / Work from Home
• Schedule: Hours may vary; evening availability required.
• Weekend Availability: Regular weekend work required throughout the year.
• Peak Seasons: October–November and March–May.
• Preferred Time Zones: Central, Mountain, or Pacific Time Zones due to scheduling needs.
• Compensation: $35–$50 per hour, based on experience.