Financial Aid Counselor (School of Medicine)

About the role

Working under general supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor will administer financial aid for the School of Medicine Medical Degree (MD) program, Physician Assistant (PA) program, and Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) Program in accordance with general plans. The position serves as a financial aid advisor to these three programs and is instrumental in the recruitment of prospective students for these professional programs offered by the School of Medicine. This position interacts with parents, students, and university officials as a representative of the financial aid office, providing equal treatment, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate financial aid applications to determine financial need, verifying receipt and evaluating all required documentation such as federal income tax return and/or tax transcripts, W-2 statements, school of medicine financial aid application, FAFSA and CSS Profile.
• Determine the applicant's cost of attendance for the individual program of study, involving direct contact with key graduate and professional school personnel and knowledge of the school of medicine tuition and fee schedules.
• Interpret federal, state, and university policies and regulations to ensure compliance and consistency in the equitable distribution of financial assistance.
• Conduct needs assessment through analysis and evaluation of individual financial circumstances and their ability to pay the student's cost of attendance in the School of Medicine's professional programs.
• Exercise professional judgment when making decisions about family circumstances that do not fall within documented federal, state, or university policies.
• Advise applicants and their families on how best to utilize and leverage their funds to maximize resources, minimize educational debt, facilitate the student's attendance, and support students' overall retention within the MD, PA, and MSA professional programs.
• Explain, compare, and contrast the terms and conditions of different financing programs available to the applicant and family.
• Meet with and counsel students, parents, counselors, and university personnel daily.
• Assist with special projects, which may include coordinating debt management programs, assisting in the student refund process, processing outside scholarship checks, and reconciliation of accounts.
• Stay appraised and be knowledgeable about the various methods of refinancing student debt and counsel students about these methods.
• Act as an official representative to federal and state agencies, scholarship and foundation organizations, and the Association of American Medical Colleges’ financial aid professional organizations (e.g., COSFA, FAME, LASOR).
• Initiate and maintain dialogue with other MD, PA, and MSA programs to remain current and obtain information about new developments within the financial aid industry.
• Assist the School of Medicine offices of admissions by providing financial aid presentations to prospective students and their families, focusing on the cost of the MD, PA, and MSA programs, application procedures, and available scholarships.
• Meet with and talk to parents, pre-health advisors, MD, PA, and MSA alumni, and other relevant constituents for recruitment purposes.

Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years of professional work experience required, preferably in financial aid.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Skills

• High-quality customer service orientation and ability to effectively collaborate with students, parents, staff, and outside organizations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain university and federal policies to students and parents.
• Capacity to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a team setting.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Maturity, professionalism, and discretion, with a high level of awareness and care when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to identify exceptions to normal policies and practices.
• Ability to develop, enhance, and nurture relationships with prospective and current students and their families while providing consistent, accurate, and usable information.
• Creativity and energy.
• Proficient with personal computer office applications, email, and internet (e.g., Google Suite, Microsoft).
• Ability to learn software applications specific to admissions and enrollment management, as well as customer service and customer relations management applications.
• Familiarity with financial aid software packages is preferred.
• Ability to quickly learn and maintain awareness of university functions, policies, and available resources.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers in multiple facets (e.g., face-to-face, via Zoom, and over the phone).

Pay

The starting wage rate is $20.68 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Benefits

University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Schedule

General office environment with a high-pressure environment requiring immediate response and a high level of service. This position requires meeting constant deadlines. Some overtime (including weekends) may be required. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period, and signing the remote work checklist certification form.