Financial Aid Counselor

About the University

Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church, serving over 3,200 students from around the country and the world. Located on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in Chicago's northside, NPU is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution committed to serving diverse populations. The university values diversity among its faculty and is dedicated to building a racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, strongly encouraging the nomination and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

The campus is situated in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States, just nine miles from downtown. North Park offers an urban oasis for students from varied backgrounds, set against the backdrop of Chicago—a major metropolitan city renowned for its museums, music, and economic opportunities.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on the core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—the vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

Responsibilities

• Awards and monitors financial aid for approximately one-third of the traditional undergraduate students, plus all students in Graduate Athletic Training, Graduate Music, and the SPS Undergraduate Adult Program
• Ensures students are packaged in compliance with all federal and state regulations
• Counsels students regarding financial aid eligibility
• Oversees all outside scholarships and church match money (PIE) to students; maintains correspondence with outside scholarship agencies and ensures students are not over-awarded
• Administers the federal and private student loan program from processing to reconciliation
• Assists with awarding and monitoring of all State Teacher Grant programs
• Assists with processing and awarding tuition exchange
• Manages Gillman programs (Study Abroad)
• Prepares exits for all graduates, withdrawals, and former students, including internal communication and report running processes
• Responsible for PELL processing and ensuring monthly and year-end reports are completed accurately and in a timely manner
• Stays aware of changes in financial aid rules and regulations, particularly as they relate to student loans
• Reviews monthly quality control reports to ensure compliance with federal, state, and University financial aid policy
• Supports the Financial Aid Team by assuming and completing other responsibilities as required
• Provides good customer service to families and students seeking financial aid advice
• Oversees all components of the Federal Work Study Program
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office
• Experience with student databases (Ellucian's Colleague experience required)
• An orientation to detail and precision
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with students, administrators, families, and outside constituencies
• Ability to coordinate many overlapping tasks
• Bachelor's degree required
• 2+ years of experience in financial aid required
• Personal commitment to North Park's mission of Christian higher education

Pay

$50,000–52,000 per year

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Prescription Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Remission
• Helwig Recreation Center access