Financial Aid Counselor I

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

1d • $29 - $34 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment (FASE) is a central administrative student services department within the Division of Enrollment. Our overarching purpose is opportunity and affordability – we provide/coordinate financial resources which create access and opportunity in alignment with Cornell University’s motto and founding principle - any person, any study. The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment is dedicated to helping students navigate the complex financial aid and higher-education funding landscape – we work closely with the Office of the University Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions Office, the Office of the Bursar, academic Schools and Colleges, and many other University stakeholders to support Cornell’s diverse, world-class students and their success. The Opportunity The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment has a Financial Aid Counselor I position open on its Counseling and Outreach team. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Counseling and Outreach and collaborating closely with other members of the FASE team, FASE leadership, and colleagues across the Enrollment Division, Financial Aid Counselor (Financial Aid Associate I) responsibilities include: providing clear, accurate, and personalized support to help students and families navigate complex aid application processes, policies, and timelines. engaging frequently with students and their families via in-person and virtual appointments, email, and other electronic communication channels. providing focused and timely support as well as proactive outreach to ensure excellent student experiences. assisting students and families through annual aid application and documentation processes. meeting with students and parents to discuss financial aid application, award, and disbursement process, including how aid packages are prepared, aid eligibility requirements, how other resources (such as outside scholarships) are incorporated into aid awards, student loan and work options, financial wellness concepts, satisfactory academic progress requirements, and address a variety of college financing questions and concerns. evaluating aid application materials and supporting documentation. providing timely outreach and advice regarding specific document requirements or other information necessary to establish eligibility for various federal, state, and institutional student aid programs. maintaining up-to-date knowledge/skills/training, utilize appropriate professional judgement, and support team-oriented goals. This position is a hybrid role based in Ithaca, NY What We Need We seek a dynamic, collaborative professional who enjoys thinking innovatively, enjoys the challenges and rewards of team-oriented, remote-friendly work, and who can function exceptionally well within a large complex, world-class University. Creative thinking, self-motivation, accuracy, organization, and attention to detail are all critical in this position along with the ability to work efficiently toward team goals and challenge the status quo when appropriate.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and at least 4 years relevant experience in a customer service or similar professional setting or equivalent combination.
• Must be self-motivated, well-organized, and attentive to details.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to manage multiple assignments in a proactive manner.
• Experience working effectively with moderately complex systems and business processes.
• Proven ability to analyze requirements and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to continuously expand knowledge of technology/tools supporting effective business processes.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid programs and regulations, or institutional need analysis concepts.
• Experience using PeopleSoft, ImageNow, IDOC, or Workday.
• Fluency in English and a second language.

Responsibilities

• providing clear, accurate, and personalized support to help students and families navigate complex aid application processes, policies, and timelines.
• engaging frequently with students and their families via in-person and virtual appointments, email, and other electronic communication channels.
• providing focused and timely support as well as proactive outreach to ensure excellent student experiences.
• assisting students and families through annual aid application and documentation processes.
• meeting with students and parents to discuss financial aid application, award, and disbursement process, including how aid packages are prepared, aid eligibility requirements, how other resources (such as outside scholarships) are incorporated into aid awards, student loan and work options, financial wellness concepts, satisfactory academic progress requirements, and address a variety of college financing questions and concerns.
• evaluating aid application materials and supporting documentation.
• providing timely outreach and advice regarding specific document requirements or other information necessary to establish eligibility for various federal, state, and institutional student aid programs.
• maintaining up-to-date knowledge/skills/training, utilize appropriate professional judgement, and support team-oriented goals.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree