Student Financial Services Counselor

Rhode Island School of Design; Providence (RI); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island School of Design seeks a Student Financial Services Counselor to join the Student Financial Services (SFS) Department. The counselor will assist visitors, manage email and phone inquiries, and counsel students and families on accounts, financial aid, eligibility, and funding procedures.

Responsibilities include processing and reconciling receivables, auditing scholarships, and managing invoicing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of financial aid or student financial services experience.
• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive culture.
• Excellent communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
• Financial literacy or familiarity with financial aid.
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, student information databases, and Internet or web-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and assist current and prospective students and families in all areas of financing their RISD education (financial aid, student accounts, student employment).
• Process, audit and reconcile student account receivables. Complete outreach to resolve student account receivable balances.
• Review, determine and verify student scholarship eligibility; manage outside scholarships and invoicing.
• Answer phone and departmental emails in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with federal verification processes, ensuring Title IV compliance.
• Post, deposit and reconcile student payments.
• Create student statements, 1098-T and Canadian tax forms by request.
• Participate in Student Financial Services programs and distribute financial literacy sessions and related events.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state and institutional guidelines; attend trainings and apply learnings.
• Communicate SFS policies to all constituents clearly and promptly.
• Place orders for office supplies and materials as needed.
• Assist with hiring, training and management of student employees.
• Provide front desk coverage during operational hours.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Student information systems

Financial literacy

Internet/web apps

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Tools

Workday Student

Student Information System

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Student Financial Services Counselor to join the Student Financial Services (SFS) Department.

With a demonstrated commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, the Student Financial Services Counselor will act as the main contact person for Student Financial Services by assisting visitors, managing the SFS email and receiving incoming calls for Student Financial Services. The SFS Counselor will counsel students and families in regards to their student accounts, financial aid availability, eligibility and funding, as well as application procedures, award processing, expenditures and money management. The SFS Counselor will administer various student account related functions including, but not limited to, payment processing and completing outreach regarding outstanding balances.

Essential Functions:

• Counsel and assist current and prospective students and families in all areas of financing their RISD education (financial aid, student accounts, student employment).

• Process, audit and reconcile student account receivables. Complete outreach to resolve student account receivable balances.

• With an in-depth understanding of Title IV regulations, review, determine and verify student scholarship eligibility. Track, process and record outside scholarships, including interactions with various organizations. Create invoices, submit and confirm payment for third party invoicing.

• Answer phone and departmental emails in a timely and professional manner.

• Assist with federal verification processes, ensuring compliance with all Title IV regulations and eligibility requirements.

• Post, deposit and reconcile student payments.

• Create student statements, specialty 1098-T tax forms and Canadian Tax forms by request.

• Participate in Student Financial Services programs and contribute and distribute communication materials including, but not limited to, financial literacy sessions, loan exit counseling, graduation and orientation and recruitment events.

• Maintain knowledge of current federal, state and institutional guidelines and regulations related to student financial services. Attend state and regional trainings, on-line learning courses, and professional network groups. Evaluate and apply learnings as appropriate to RISD Student Financial Services processes and services.

• Communicate Student Financial Services policies and procedures to all constituents, internal and external, in clear, timely and customer friendly ways.

• Place orders for office/staff supplies and materials as needed.

• Assist with the hiring, training and management of student employees.

• Responsible for front desk coverage during operational hours.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum two years of financial aid, student financial services experience, or relevant experience

• Ability to work with and help foster a diverse and inclusive culture.

• Excellent communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.

• Financial literacy or familiarity with financial aid.

• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, student information databases, and Internet or web-based applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of Title IV regulations and programs.

• Workday Student experience.

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

Grade:

525EX

Work Modality

Hybrid Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

RISD recognizes inclusion and belonging as fundamental to its learning and working community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to this community and to our commitment to excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.