Student Financial Services Counselor - Bursar Team

University of Bridgeport; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

401k employer match

Employee & dependent life insurance

Great tuition benefits for employees,

PTO program

Job summary

The University of Bridgeport is seeking a Student Financial Services Counselor to provide initial contact with students and families, process payments, and answer financial aid questions. You will work closely with Financial Aid to streamline procedures and support daily office functions in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include cash handling, journal entries, insurance waivers, and assisting with FERPA-compliant information disclosure.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service to students and families.
• Experience working in a college/university setting preferred; familiarity with financial aid processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive customer service to students and families via phone, in person, and email.
• Support student accounts functions including posting adjustments and reconciliation preparation.
• Process student payments and manage health insurance paperwork and reconciliations.
• Oversee processing and correspondence for financial-related documents and reimbursements.
• Maintain confidentiality under FERPA guidelines and assist with department scheduling.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Teamwork

Word and Excel

Education

Associate degree in accounting

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Datatel Colleague

ImageNow

Job description

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promoteacademic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment toservice. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturallydiverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for lifeand leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose :

The Student Financial Services Counselor is responsible forstudent financial support in the Student Financial Services’(SFS) Office. Working closely with Financial Aid to streamline joint procedures, the Student Financial Services Counselor will be responsible for all initial contact with studentsand their families, including processing of student relatedpayments, answering student financial aid/account questions, andproviding guidance as needed.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities :

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intendedonly as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or alogical assignment to the position.)

• Provides comprehensive customer service to all students andtheir families by phone, in person and through emailcorrespondence
• Support student accounts functions including but not limitedto:
  • Posting adjustments
  • Prepare lists for reconciliation of student accounts and otherresponsibilities associated with the administration of studentaccounts and 3rd party billing
  • Process all student payments received by the University in allforms and delivery methods in a timely manner
  • Oversee the processing and correspondence of all financialrelated paperwork delivered to the office by or on behalf ofstudents
  • Manage the processing and correspondence for corporatereimbursement students
  • Perform daily cash reconciliation and bank deposit
  • Investigate disputed delinquent account balances; correct anyerrors, including misapplied payments and miscellaneouscharges
  • Prepare journal entries for approval of requiredcorrections
  • Process student health insurance waivers and help with otherstudent health insurance processes and reconciliations

Other Functions

All members of the Student Financial Services Office team assisteach other with the following functions:

• Maintains confidentiality of information and works inaccordance with FERPA guidelines on the disclosure ofinformation.
• Counter coverage as needed, assisting student who come into theCenter for assistance.
• Assist in the processing of mail
• Assist in the management of department schedule
• Continuing professional development and training; keeps currentwith trends.
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a teameffort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill :

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, andinclusion, creating an environment where all members of theUniversity community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to processinformation quickly and accurately.
• Exceptional customer service orientation with a professionaldemeanor in all interactions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including theability to explain complex financial concepts clearly.
• Highly organized with proven ability to prioritize multipletasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volumeenvironment.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining acollaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Skilled in building positive relationships and maintainingstaff morale through effective team-building strategies.
• Proactive in addressing the needs of a diverse studentpopulation with empathy and tact.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; familiarity with highereducation software platforms (e.g., Datatel Colleague, ImageNow)preferred.
• Experience with cash handling, account balancing, andreconciliation processes.
• Knowledge of Title IV federal regulations and financial aidprocesses; prior experience in Financial Aid or Bursar functionspreferred.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications :

• Associate degree in accounting or equivalent financialexperience required; Bachelors Degree preferred
• Experience working at a college/university preferably incr financial aid and with First Generation population as well as AdultLearners.
• Understanding of financial aid awarding and title IVeligibility for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Experience with Higher Education software platforms desired;knowledge of Datatel Colleague and ImageNow preferred

Physical and Mental Requirements :

Work Environment
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
Outdoor Weather Conditions
X
Work with fumes or airborne particles
X
Work near moving mechanical parts
X
Risk of electrical shock
X
Vibration
X
Physical Activity
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
Standing
X
Walking
X
Sitting
X
Talking & Hearing
X
Using hands/fingers to handle/feel
X
Climbing or balancing
X
Bending, pulling, pushing
X
Driving
X
Lifting Requirements
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
Up to 10 pounds
X
Up to 25 pounds
X
Up to 50 pounds
X
Up to 75 pounds
X
Up to 100 pounds
X
Over 100 pounds
X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving isrequired by the job)

_X_ Close vision (i.e., clear vision at 20 inches or less)
___ Distance vision (i.e., clear vision at 20 feet or more)
___ Color vision (i.e., ability to identify and distinguishcolors)
___ Peripheral vision (i.e., ability to observe an area that caneseen up and down or left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)
___ Depth perception (i.e., three-dimensional vision, ability tojudge distances and spatialrelationships)
___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employees, spouse &dependents
• PTO program

(This job description does not constitute an employmentagreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It isused as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change bythe University as the needs of the University and requirements ofthe job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employmentopportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexualorientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age,disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or statusas a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state,and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies withapplicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination inemployment in every location in which the company has facilities.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment,including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion,termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence,compensation, and training.