Undergraduate Financial Aid Counselor

Job Description: This position has a primary focus on the counseling and processing of financial aid including all loan processing for a segment of the Universitys undergraduate population. The individual will counsel current and prospective students as well as parents through the financial aid process and be knowledgeable about various financing options. This position will assist in the recruiting efforts of the Enrollment Management Office by being knowledgeable about the admissions process and Arcadia programs and offerings and support retention efforts through outreach and support of currently enrolled students. The counselor will in general contribute to the planning and execution of Enrollment Management recruitment and retention efforts.

Location: Glenside

Essential Functions:

Financial Aid Counseling (35%): The FA Counselor will serve as the primary point of contact for prospective and current students and parents providing accurate and timely information about a variety of financial aid topics in a professional and friendly manner. The FA Counselor will communicate with students and families over the phone email and in person. This individual will counsel students and their families regarding financial aid eligibility financial aid award packages balance owed on the students account how to set up payment plans applying for additional loans and other payment options.
Financial Aid Processing (30%): The FA Counselor processes loans and performs federal verification within an assigned financial aid caseload. Processing duties also include reviewing student accounts to identify discrepancies with credit load housing and budget applying the utmost attention to detail. The FA counselor must be knowledgeable of federal and state guidelines and institutional policy.
Project Management (20%): The FA Counselor will be assigned to assist with 1-3 specific projects and must be able to organize tasks to reach the desired outcome at the appropriate time monitor progress in projects and plans for changes or challenges. Communicates data updates and the status of projects as required is well organized and manages assignments to their successful completion. Provides summary data and assessment for supervisor review. Examples of projects include: Honors Program Fulfillment Grant Campus Visit Grant Financial Aid Veterans Liaison.
Admissions Responsibilities (15%): The FA Counselor will be required to participate in weekend evening and weekday on-campus recruiting events for undergraduate and graduate students including open houses information sessions receptions and Transfer Days.

Marginal Functions: Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Financial Aid the Associate Vice President for Financial Aid or other senior management as appropriate. Assist the Office of Enrollment Management with taking on additional work on a temporary basis during times of high-volume activity or need.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree required
• Valid drivers license with a vehicle available for recruitment travel
• Successful completion of a background check financial credit check and motor vehicle record check
• Spanish language proficiency preferred
  

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Communication: Able to give clear and timely information to the appropriate stakeholders in compliance with state and federal laws that safeguard personal information. Able to professionally communicate via written correspondence telephone or video online media and face to face and tailoring the message appropriately to the medium used and the audience (example: coworker parent student other University employees).
Customer Service: Able to work professionally and positively with prospective students current students parents high school representatives and university employees. Provides clear and timely information and answers to questions following up as necessary or being able to refer an individual to a more appropriate team member. Able to empathize with others and understand the various perspectives that individuals bring to a situation and address those perspectives.
Project Management: Able to organize tasks in the right order to reach the right outcome at the right time. Monitor progress in projects and plans and adapt appropriately to changes or challenges. Communicates workload and status of projects effectively and timely. Is well organized and manages assignments to a successful conclusion.
Technology: Able to use appropriate software for efficient completion of work objectives. Demonstrate beginner level mastery of core MS Office programs.
Cultural Understanding: Able to demonstrate respect for and engage with people of diverse backgrounds to create a stronger community
Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand how this role fits into the overall goals of the EM office and the University and how the quality and consistency of individual efforts affect other staff in the unit. Able to respond positively to direction and performance-related critiques. Able to initiate establish and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive cooperative productive work atmosphere while on campus and while representing the office off-campus.

Application Instructions:

• Applications must be submitted online through Arcadias Human Resources portal to receive full consideration. Please do not email application materials to the hiring manager. Due to the volume of applications received communication will generally be limited to candidates selected for additional consideration.
• Application review will begin immediately. Posting will be removed from the website once weve established a sufficient talent pool for consideration.

Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that provides a values-based authentic educational experience by placing students at the center. The Institute of International Education has consistently ranked Arcadia first in the nation for study abroad and the Princeton Review has ranked Arcadia among the Best in the Northeast for 10 consecutive years. The Universitys graduate programs in Physical Therapy Physician Assistant Education and Public Health are nationally ranked in their respective categories by U.S. News & World Report which cites Arcadia for being among the top study abroad programs and a top performer for social mobility. Arcadia is home to a close-knit and welcoming community that supports students throughout their journey. Arcadias quality academic programs unique approach to a liberal arts education and supportive community guide students toward degree completion and career success. Learn more about our vibrant community at .

We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our community. The successful candidate will demonstrate examples of ways they will incorporate our values in their work.

At Arcadia University our Lived Values are the foundation of our highly regarded values-based learning community which reflects the world in which we want to live. As such Arcadia actively seeks and welcomes candidates who embrace those values. Arcadia prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of ethnicity national origin ancestry race color religion creed sex gender marital status affectional or sexual orientation age gender identity military or military veteran status disability family medical or genetic information or any other legally protected characteristic. All offers of employment are conditional based on the successful completion of a background check. Employment may not begin until the University accepts the results of the background check.

Arcadia offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare generous tuition benefits for employees and their families retirement benefits health and wellness programs and resources and much more.