What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Counselor position at Virginia Commonwealth University?
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All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.
Job Code 35211 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req6887 Unit Offc of Strategic Enrollment Mngmnt Department 1906 SFMC Department Website Link https://semss.vcu.edu/ Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & Responsibilities
Position Summary
The primary purpose of the Financial Counselor is to support a seamless, holistic approach, in partnership with academic advisors, to guide and counsel students and parents on academic success plans including options to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options with persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors play an active role in creating a culture of care as a part of the student’s success team by fostering meaningful relationships with students and campus partners to enhance the students’ successful university experience.
Training will be provided to new employees, so knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and policies and procedures at the University is not required, but can certainly benefit someone coming into this role. The ability to understand and apply policies and procedures with a passion for supporting students will lead to success in this role.
Please Note: This is a “restricted position” with funding for one year. For restricted positions, employment eligibility after one year is dependent upon continued funding.
Core Responsibilities
Financial Counseling (25%): Advise and counsel student and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, policies, and procedures at the university.
Minimum Hiring Standards
Documents Needed to Apply
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.
Job Code 35211 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req6887 Unit Offc of Strategic Enrollment Mngmnt Department 1906 SFMC Department Website Link https://semss.vcu.edu/ Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA Duties & Responsibilities
Position Summary
The primary purpose of the Financial Counselor is to support a seamless, holistic approach, in partnership with academic advisors, to guide and counsel students and parents on academic success plans including options to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options with persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors play an active role in creating a culture of care as a part of the student’s success team by fostering meaningful relationships with students and campus partners to enhance the students’ successful university experience.
Training will be provided to new employees, so knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and policies and procedures at the University is not required, but can certainly benefit someone coming into this role. The ability to understand and apply policies and procedures with a passion for supporting students will lead to success in this role.
Please Note: This is a “restricted position” with funding for one year. For restricted positions, employment eligibility after one year is dependent upon continued funding.
Core Responsibilities
Financial Counseling (25%): Advise and counsel student and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, policies, and procedures at the university.
- Assist students utilizing a holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability, costs of education, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options.
- Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment, walk-in basis, over the phone, and other communication platforms.
- Provide information about all student financial aid programs and program characteristics such as type of aid, funding source, amounts, interest rates, repayment requirements, application procedures and individual student eligibility requirements such as academic, financial, citizenship, enrollment, etc.
- Discuss confidential financial data and other family circumstances with students and others. Advise about impact and eligibility to participate in various aid programs.
- Exercise “professional judgment” in individual student situations. Professional judgement delineates that the financial counselor determines, after reviewing the student’s situation, that the student does not fall into the standard categories outlined in program regulation and that the student should be an “exception to the rule.”
- Partner with academic advisors to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.
- In addition to providing accurate information, explanations of federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures, and guidance to the student, the employee must project a sensitive and caring attitude.
- The employee must recognize the impact his/her interaction with the student and/or parent in this situation can have on his/her college career and personal life.
- As part of the position’s counseling activities, may contact other university offices to seek advice for the student or serve as an advocate for the student. The position also may contact private lenders, guarantee agencies, state and federal agencies, and the US Department of Education for information or as an advocate for the student.
- Utilize Banner student system to navigate through the student’s record to find necessary information to assist the student, complete appropriate processes, tracking and notations.
- This position must be knowledgeable of important dates and deadlines each semester to ensure correct information is given.
- Presents financial aid and cost of education information to parent and student groups on and off campus.
- Assists with other projects in the office, Student Financial Services unit, or the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management during peak periods and as assigned.
- Supports planning for module/section(s) of UNIV first time freshman students.
- May represent the Student Financial Services unit at various University functions.
- Promotes the values and mission of VCU to all constituents in a positive and professional manner.
- Understand the Federal and State regulations surrounding Financial Aid to determine if additional information is needed or if the file is complete to determine the award package based on these guidelines.
Minimum Hiring Standards
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Counseling, Student Services, Social Work, or related field or a combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities.
- Quantitative and analytical skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
- Ability to project a positive image of the University and the office at all times.
- Ability to explain complex concepts in clear and concise language.
- Ability to support and attend UNIV courses related to financial aid literacy.
- Be a self-starter with a strong work ethic and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and sensitivity.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
- Experience in school or college counseling, financial aid activities, or related field.
- Bilingual ability specifically with Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese.
- This position requires some evening and weekend hours as well as light travel.
- Note: This is a “restricted position” with funding for one year. Employment eligibility after one year is dependent upon continued funding.
- This posting closes 2/23/2025 at 7:00pm
Documents Needed to Apply
Salary : $40,000
