Student Financial Services Counselor

About the role

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Student Financial Services Counselor to join the Student Financial Services (SFS) Department. The counselor will act as the main contact for SFS, assisting visitors, managing the SFS email, and receiving incoming calls. They will counsel students and families on financing their RISD education, process and reconcile student account receivables, administer outreach for outstanding balances, verify scholarship eligibility, track outside scholarships, create invoices, handle third‑party invoicing, answer phones and emails, assist with federal verification, post and reconcile payments, create student statements and tax forms, participate in SFS programs, maintain knowledge of regulations, attend trainings, communicate policies, order supplies, assist with hiring/training of student employees, and provide front desk coverage during operational hours. The position is hybrid‑eligible, full‑time, regular, exempt, grade 525EX, union‑free, with a schedule of 35 hours per week, 12 months per year.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and assist current and prospective students and families in all areas of financing their RISD education (financial aid, student accounts, student employment).
• Process, audit and reconcile student account receivables.
• Complete outreach to resolve student account receivable balances.
• With an in‑depth understanding of Title IV regulations, review, determine and verify student scholarship eligibility.
• Track, process and record outside scholarships, including interactions with various organizations.
• Create invoices, submit and confirm payment for third party invoicing.
• Answer phone and departmental emails in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with federal verification processes, ensuring compliance with all Title IV regulations and eligibility requirements.
• Post, deposit and reconcile student payments.
• Create student statements, specialty 1098‑T tax forms and Canadian Tax forms by request.
• Participate in Student Financial Services programs and contribute and distribute communication materials including, but not limited to, financial literacy sessions, loan exit counseling, graduation and orientation and recruitment events.
• Maintain knowledge of current federal, state and institutional guidelines and regulations related to student financial services.
• Attend state and regional trainings, on‑line learning courses, and professional network groups.
• Evaluate and apply learnings as appropriate to RISD Student Financial Services processes and services.
• Communicate Student Financial Services policies and procedures to all constituents, internal and external, in clear, timely and customer friendly ways.
• Place orders for office/staff supplies and materials as needed.
• Assist with the hiring, training and management of student employees.
• Responsible for front desk coverage during operational hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of financial aid