Financial Counselor

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

5d•$45,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Counselor supports a seamless, holistic approach to student success in partnership with academic advisors. The role guides and counsels students and parents on academic success plans, ways to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options, with a focus on persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors foster meaningful relationships with students and campus partners and contribute to a culture of care as part of each student’s success team. The position provides counseling on financial aid programs, eligibility, financing options, university policies and procedures, affordability, education costs, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options. The counselor reviews student records and financial aid documentation, applies relevant federal and state requirements, and communicates program information clearly. Training is provided; prior knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing, student accounting payment options, and university policies and procedures is not required, though it may be beneficial. The role also supports financial aid outreach and literacy, including presentations and events on and off campus. It may require some evening and weekend hours, occasional daily or overnight travel, and a hybrid work arrangement of up to two remote days per week depending on peak seasons. The position is 40 hours per week and may be filled by up to two hires.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or an equivalent combination of training, education, or experience.
Experience in student financial services, customer service, or another relevant field.
Quantitative and analytical skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Ability to project a positive image of the University and the office.
Ability to explain complex concepts in clear and concise language.
Ability to support and attend UNIV courses related to financial aid literacy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Counseling, Student Services, Social Work, or a related field, or a combination of education, experience, and training.
Experience in school or college counseling, financial aid activities, or a related field.
Bilingual ability, specifically in Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese.
Knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and University policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Advise and counsel students and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, and university policies and procedures.
Use a holistic counseling and case-management approach to address affordability, education costs, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options.
Meet with students and parents by appointment, through walk-in services, by phone, and on other communication platforms.
Explain financial aid program types, funding sources, amounts, interest rates, repayment requirements, application procedures, and individual eligibility requirements.
Discuss confidential financial information and family circumstances, and advise on their impact on eligibility and participation in aid programs.
Exercise professional judgment in individual student situations that may fall outside standard program categories.
Partner with academic advisors on strategies to help students meet satisfactory academic progress requirements and retain financial aid.
Contact university offices, private lenders, guarantee agencies, state and federal agencies, and the U.S. Department of Education to obtain information or advocate for students.
Use the Banner student system to review student records, locate information, complete processes, and maintain tracking and notations.
Understand and communicate important semester dates and deadlines.
Support and coordinate financial aid outreach for orientation, open houses, workshops, and other on- and off-campus events.
Present financial aid and cost-of-education information to student and parent groups.
Assist with office, Student Financial Services, and Strategic Enrollment Management projects during peak periods and as assigned.
Support planning for module or section(s) of UNIV courses for first-time freshman students.
Represent Student Financial Services at University functions and promote VCU’s values and mission professionally.
Review financial aid application documents for completeness and compare them with information in the student’s Banner record.
Apply federal and state financial aid regulations to determine whether additional information is needed and whether a file is complete for award packaging.