Financial Services Specialist

Weston&Sampson, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition discount

Tuition remission for dependents

Retirement plan

Job summary

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo is seeking a Student Financial Aid Counselor to provide financial aid counseling, billing, cashiering and other services for students. This role supports families with questions about obligations and helps resolve issues related to aid status.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant experience, with strong communication skills and knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• One year of relevant experience in financial aid or student services.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provides financial aid counseling, billing, cashiering and other financial services for students.
• Advises and counsels students, parents and prospective students with questions about financial obligations; offers alternative solutions.
• Communicates with students and parents to answer questions and resolve issues regarding status of financial aid application and application process; responds to email inquiries; processes internal and external verification forms.
• Advises on University policy and procedures affecting billing accounts, disbursement or repayment of financial aid.
• Provides customer service and counseling to students and families whose financial circumstances change or threaten the students’ ability to pay their financial obligations.
• Evaluates and makes decisions regarding the appeal process in financial aid, including processing of all payment types, investigating disputed charges, arranging payment agreements and authorizing short term loans.
• Contacts individuals regarding outstanding balances.
• Calculates financial need and performs monetary transactions. Monitors and audits student billing accounts.
• Collaborates with office team to provide backup coverage for drop-ins, phone calls, email support, and on-call duties as needed. Serves as a student financial aid liaison for an assigned college, addressing escalated inquiries from students, parents, and departmental staff.
• May conduct training and workshops on updated financial aid policies, processes and procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

College

Executive Area

Executive Area Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Department

Posting Number

Posting Number S1719P

Job Type

Job Type Full Time, Regular

Pay Type

Pay Grade

Pay Grade D

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

• Provides financial aid counseling, billing, cashiering and other financial services for students.

Major Duties

• Advises and counsels students, parents and prospective students with questions about financial obligations. Offers alternative solutions.
• Communicates with students and parents to answer questions and resolve issues regarding status of financial aid application and application process. Responds to email inquiries. Processes internal and external verification forms.
• Advises on University policy and procedures affecting billing accounts, disbursement or repayment of financial aid.
• Provides customer service and counseling to students and families whose financial circumstances change or threaten the students’ ability to pay their financial obligations.
• Evaluates and makes decisions regarding the appeal process in financial aid, including processing of all payment types, investigating disputed charges, arranging payment agreements and authorizing short term loans. Contacts individuals regarding outstanding balances.
• Calculates financial need and performs monetary transactions. Monitors and audits student billing accounts.
• Collaborates with office team to provide backup coverage for drop-ins, phone calls, email support, and on-call duties as needed. Serves as a student financial aid liaison for an assigned college, addressing escalated inquiries from students, parents, and departmental staff.
• May conduct training and workshops on updated financial aid policies, processes and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year’s relevant experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations and guidelines.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
• Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Benefits

• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to: https://www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.