Student Financial Aid Counselor II

Provides day-to-day case management, advisement, and counseling to students and parents about financial aid programs. Provide holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability, costs of education, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options. Provides clear, accurate, and personalized support to help students and families navigate the complex financial aid application processes. Coordinate application follow-up activities for new students, including FAFSA completion, application document completion and verification completion with the intent to assist student with early as possible completion of their financial aid application.

Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment, walk-in basis, and over the phone and other communication platforms. Performs outreach (phone calls, e-mails, text messaging campaigns, events, etc.) to current and prospective students who need assistance navigating their bills, financial aid renewal, refunds, etc.

Conducts events and outreach/retention programming to engage with students, and to help ensure the on-time renewal of financial aid. Work closely with the leaders of the other areas of the CARE team members and CARE leadership (Academic Advising and Career Services) to ensure that programming and outreach conducted is uniform, cohesive, integrated, personalized to target audiences, and aligned with institutional objectives. Partner with academic advisor to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.

Works with leadership and colleagues to determine the needs for outreach programs, projects, activities, and in-person/virtual services and identifies and advocates for best practices that enhance students' experiences. Conducts Financial Aid 101 workshops, Financial Literacy trainings, High School Financial Aid Nights, and other events throughout the year. Facilitate a non-credit financial literacy course available to students in both a synchronous and asynchronous format. Collaborate with campus partners, such as the Center for Student Success and Career Services to extend the reach, impact, and network of support for students and families.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

One year of related experience working in higher education including exposure to admissions and financial aid or case management in a related field.

Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations

Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Ability to work individually or as a team.

Ability to organize and make decisions.

Knowledge of the customer service and outreach processes as they pertain to the financial aid department in a higher education environment, and of the related trends, issues, and accepted practices.

Ability to write precise, well-organized emails and letters while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals and situations requiring diplomacy, friendliness, poise and firmness.

Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

Ability to apply thorough knowledge of policies to a variety of individual situations. Recommends procedures to ensure compliance in a learning community.

Ability to work cooperatively with others. Utilizes excellent constituent service skills with all interactions. Work accurately with high volume and instill similar standard with the counseling unit.

Skill in effectively analyzing and interpreting policies, practices, and guidelines with strict attention to detail in all areas of work.

Thorough knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices with student records services.

Strong problem identification, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; judgment and decision-making ability.

Ability to assess processes and implement improvements. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Active listening skills. Customer service orientation. Interpersonal skills.

Thorough knowledge of particular Financial Aid core functions.

Thorough knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.

Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.

Thorough knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures and of Federal and State laws pertaining to the privacy rights of students and access to student information.

Thorough knowledge of BANNER software and its components.

Thorough knowledge of third-party software (NSLDS. COD, CPS, Awards Management/Blackbaud, etc.) .

Applicants with equivalent experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree may be considered. One year of the related experience is the equivalent of one college year. Applicants being considered for the equivalency must have four years of related experience to meet the equivalency in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree plus the minimum required years of experience. Applicants being considered for the equivalency must have a total of five years of experience.