Financial Aid Counselor

Eastern Mennonite University•Harrisonburg, VA

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor assists students and their families through the financial aid process, manages the returning-student financial aid portfolio, reviews applications to determine eligibility, and creates financial aid packages. The counselor is the primary staff member responsible for financial aid technology systems and assists with administering financial aid programs, including coordinating with the Department of Education on file transmission, corrections, awarding, reconciliations, and regulatory reporting. The role provides guidance on financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available programs, educational costs, and financial management. It also reviews student documentation, determines financial need, awards and reconciles aid, supports students and families, and maintains compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. The position provides system support and user training to financial aid employees and collaborates with campus departments on financial aid processes and technology. This is a full-time, 12-month position scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The role reports to the Director of Financial Aid and has no supervisory responsibilities. Occasional off-campus travel to meetings and conferences, potentially including overnight travel, is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Knowledge of financial aid-related federal, state, and agency rules, regulations, and reporting requirements, including Federal Title IV law and regulations.
Proficiency with financial-aid technology.
Exemplary attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and collaborative skills.
Ability to follow established procedures and complete detailed work accurately.
Knowledge of Jenzabar Student Information System and PowerFAIDS ERP, or comparable systems.
Proficiency with Google and Microsoft Office suites.
Ability to provide a high level of service to students and their families.
Commitment to principles of access and inclusion.
Ability to work independently and effectively and respectfully as part of a team.
Ability to occasionally travel to off-campus meetings and conferences, potentially including overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Previous experience in a financial aid position.
Experience in private higher education.
Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) credential.
Experience with Salesforce case management software.

Responsibilities

Counsel students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies, including debt management and financial planning.
Provide customer service to students and families through front-desk assistance, phone calls, email, appointments, and on- and off-campus financial aid events.
Assist with managing the Financial Aid Office email inbox.
Review returning-student applications and related documents to confirm eligibility under federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
Determine financial need and award financial aid.
Coordinate with Admissions, GPR, the Business Office, EMU Lancaster, and other university units to resolve student issues.
Serve as the primary point of contact for EMU Lancaster and package financial aid for eligible EMU Lancaster students.
Certify, disburse, and reconcile federal student loans, parent loans, private student loans, Pell and TEACH Grants, and institutional, state, and outside grants and scholarships.
Download weekly Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) from the Department of Education FAFSA Processing System into PowerFAIDS and review and resolve verification issues and comment codes.
Serve as the Pell Financial Aid Officer for COD and Secondary Administrator for Federal Account Access.
Monitor and maintain the institution’s preferred lender list.
Calculate and process Return to Title IV (R2T4) refunds.
Collaborate with information technology and other departments to implement and maintain financial aid management systems and integrate them with other campus systems.
Provide systems support, first-line technical training, and user support for financial aid employees.
Maintain working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Benefits

403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
Tuition remission programs.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage, and an employer-supported health savings account (HSA).
Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
Voluntary accident, critical illness, additional life insurance, and flexible spending account (FSA) plans.
15 paid holidays, generous paid time off, and vacation.
Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Moving allowance for eligible out-of-area hires.
Complimentary admission to EMU home athletic and cultural arts events.
Employee discounts at university dining venues, the bookstore, and the University Outpost.