Senior Counselor, Student Finance

Charter Oak State College•New Britain, CT

7d•$74,762 - $101,456•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Counselor of Student Finance is a key resource for students, guiding them through the various financial aspects of paying for college. This position emphasizes financial counseling and support, helping students understand their funding options, including financial aid, self-pay arrangements, and scholarships. The role includes both proactive and reactive efforts to encourage students to learn about financial aid and outside resources and navigate that sometimes difficult path in preparation for the start of each semester. Additional responsibilities include administering scholarships, managing third-party billing, and supporting the financial needs of the various cohorts of students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, counseling, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Minimum of three years in financial services, financial counseling, or a related role.
At least two years’ experience holding a position requiring customer service.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education field with a focus on finance.
Strong knowledge of federal financial aid processes and requirements.
Familiarity with scholarship administration and military funding guidelines.

Responsibilities

Assist students in navigating all financial elements of their college experience, including tuition payment options, financial aid, and self-pay strategies.
Provide in-depth counseling to help students understand their eligibility for federal financial aid and guide them through the application and award processes.
Work with students to resolve issues related to financial aid, ensuring their accounts are complete and ready prior to the start of each semester.
Educate students on payment plans, deadlines, and their impact on academic progress.
Collaborate with internal departments, including Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office, to provide students with comprehensive support and resolve account issues efficiently.
Promote financial literacy by helping students understand the long-term implications of their financial decisions.
Oversee key transactional processes related to student billing, including reconciliation of daily deposits, accounts receivable uploads, and coordination of payment activity across systems.
Administer financial compliance functions such as the escheatment of student account credit balances and unclaimed financial aid disbursements, ensuring adherence to institutional, state and federal policies.
Contribute to cross-functional financial operations with reporting, segregation of duties, reconciliations, and backup coverage for core fiscal processes and journal entries.
Review and confirm student enrollment against third-party billing documentation, such as letters of credit and payment vouchers.
Apply discounts or temporary adjustments to accounts as required by various agreements.
Generate and submit accurate invoices to third-party payers, coordinating with Financial Aid when necessary.
Utilize various student and financial information systems to service students and maintain accurate records.
Prepare reports and journal entries on billing, scholarships, and financial aid readiness to inform decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
Leverage College tools to strategize student financial outreach to increase student enrollment success.
Work with students to address financial challenges early, reducing barriers to their academic success in a strategic fashion.
Ensure students are financially prepared for each semester by resolving outstanding financial aid and payment issues in advance.
Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and institutional student finance regulations and policies.
Participate in professional development to stay updated on best practices in financial counseling and student account management.
Verify and monitor student eligibility for various institutional and external scholarships.
Maintain accurate records of scholarship and institutional awards and apply funds to student accounts in compliance with institutional policies.
Provide guidance to students on scholarship and aid opportunities and application processes.
Collaborate with program directors and external agencies to ensure accurate and timely scholarship administration.
Oversee financial processes for military students, ensuring compliance with military tuition assistance programs and institutional policies.
Verify course registration and tuition adjustments for military-funded students.
Stay informed about military funding requirements and utilize platforms like Army Ignited to support accurate billing.