Student Financial Services Counselor

Key Responsibilities

• Support the administration, processing, and assessment of multiple financial aid vehicles including federal, state, and institutionally sponsored aid programs for assigned student caseload.
• Provide financial assistance and payment counseling to current and prospective students/families. Address questions regarding all dimensions of aid eligibility, professional judgement parameters, aid renewals, appeals, federal/private loans, external scholarships, student employment and alternative payment options.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, federal and state financial aid regulations, including Title IV policies and procedures. Participate in internal and external audit process.
• Advise and monitor payment plans, coordinate with students on outstanding balances. Assist in the development, implementation and execution of policies for collections, account holds, and financial appeals.
• Absorb operational leadership roles over designated projects and functions such as audit prep, compliance, payment plans, collections, third party payments, outside scholarships, state affiliations, federal compliance, veteran benefits, and graduate programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 1-3+ years of experience in student accounts, financial aid, or related financial services in higher education.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as student accounts policies.
• Commitment to participate and engage in ongoing professional development including attendance and presentation opportunities available within state, regional and national professional organizations.
• Experience with student information systems (e.g., Banner, Flywire, Campus Logic, Slate, Workday) and financial aid/loan portals.
• Excellent, detail-oriented communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and handle sensitive financial matters with discretion.