Student Financial Services Counselor

RISD - Rhode Island School of Design; United States; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

RISD is seeking a Student Financial Services Counselor to advise students and families on financial aid, student accounts, and funding options. The role handles inquiries, eligibility determinations, outreach, and payment processing within a diverse, inclusive environment.

You'll work with Title IV regulations, assist with verification, scholarships, and communications, while supporting front desk operations and staff training.

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/web-based applications.

Responsibilities

• Counsel current and prospective students and families in financing 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 with Title IV regulations.
• Track, process and record outside scholarships, including interactions with organizations.
• Create invoices, submit and confirm payment for third party invoicing.

Skills

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

2+ years financial aid experience

Excellent communication

Customer service

MS Word

Excel

Student information databases

Internet/web-based applications

Workday Student experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Workday Student

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.

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.

Rhode Island School of Design is a nonprofit college and museum founded in 1877 in Providence, RI — one of the first art and design schools in the US. Our students engage in rigorous, studio-based learning and liberal arts studies. By cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD equips artists, designers and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world. Find out much more about RISD at risd.edu/about.