Student Financial Services Counselor

The Financial Aid Counselor is a motivated and detail-oriented professional responsible formaintaininga comprehensive understanding of federal state and institutional student aid programs regulations and procedures. This individual works closely with students families faculty and staff in a collaborative and diverse environment providing high-quality counseling and support throughout the financial aid process.

The Counselor supports systems and operational functions within the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) including data integration scheduled event maintenance in Power FAIDS and assisting with system oversight. They collaborate with the Associate Director and SFS staff to counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility verification need analysis and financing options. The role also regularly partners with departments such as Undergraduate Admissions Graduate and Adult Education Residence Life and Student Activities. Strong organizational skills confidentiality and polished communication abilities are essential along with occasional evening weekend and travel commitments.

Essential Functions:

Mission Culture & Leadership

• Model Alvernias Franciscan values through compassionate service ethical leadership and commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful community for all.
• Cultivate a student-/client-/employeeculture that prioritizes transparency accessibility and proactive communication.

Student Support & Customer Service

• Maintain strict confidentiality of all SFS activities and student records.
• Deliver high-quality customer service to students families and campus partners.
• Provide financial aid counseling to prospective and current students/families including guidance on aid programs verification award packages and financing options.
• Respond promptly to student inquiries (phone email walk-ins virtual) within a 2448 hour timeframe.
• Assist students and families with general financial aid student account and academic-related questions.
• Monitor the financial aid/student balance hold list each semester.
• Support communications related to missing documents verification items and processing follow-up.

Counseling & Campus Collaboration

• Use a holistic best-practicebased counseling approach to support traditional graduate and adult learners throughout their educational journey.
• Collaborate closely with key student service offices including Student Accounts Registrar Admissions Residence Life Navigation S.O.L.A.R. GAE and the Holleran Center to resolve student issues and ensure coordinated support.

Operations & Compliance

• Assist the Associate Director with importing and exporting all financial aid files through ED Connect including ISIRs corrections COD origination/disbursement files and reject resolution.
• Oversee federal aid program compliance related to aggregate loan limits Pell LEU UEH reviews and student notifications.
• Assist with creating and maintaining custom and standard reports selection sets and other Power FAIDS functions to enhance processing efficiency.
• Support monthly and annual federal and state aid reconciliation processes to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist with system oversight including data integration and maintaining scheduled Power FAIDS events (anticipatedaid disbursement etc.).
• Manage student employment program eligibility and coordinate with Human Resources on student worker and graduate assistant hiring and employment documentation.
• Work with HR and the Business Office to maximize federal state and institutional work-study funding and maintain student employment data in Power FAIDS and COD.
• Assist with completion of annual reports and internal reporting needs.

Professional Development Customer Service& Representation

• Lead or contribute to internal training and professional development initiatives that enhance compliance service excellence communication and inclusive practices across the organization.
• Promote a high standard of customer service by modeling responsive solutions-oriented interactions with students clients colleagues and external partners.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the organization by communicating its mission values and offerings effectively to internal and external audiences.
• Represent the university at recruitment and outreach events including open houses orientations and community engagement programs.

Specialized Focus

• Processes tuition reimbursements and follow-up for collections.
• Process Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) forms Outside Scholarship Tuition Remission.
• Assists Associate Director with processing Federal Plus loans and Private Loans.
• Assist with managing the endowed and restricted funds.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.
• Position requires occasional evening weekend extended hours and off-site travel.

Qualifications/Education:

• Commitment to the organizations mission values and service-oriented culture.
• Bachelors degree required ;Masters degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience in financial aid student financial services ora related field preferred.
• Strong proficiency with Power FAIDSED Connect COD NSLDS and related systems a plus.
• Excellent analytical documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities meet deadlines and adapt to changing regulatory environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Physical Requirements:

• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for the performance of this role.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.