Student Accounts Counselor

Wentworth Institute of Technology•Boston, MA

4d•$53,000 - $64,000

About The Position

The Student Financial Counselor plays a critical role in supporting the recruitment, advising, retention, and financial operations of the institution. These contributions are achieved by providing comprehensive financial aid and student accounts service to students and families. Professionals occupying this position are expected to be proficient in the best practices associated with the administration, reporting, and compliance parameters required by state, federal, and institutional financial assistance organizations. Acting as a comprehensive resource to current and prospective graduate, undergraduate, and professional development students, The Student Financial Counselor act as the primary service provider for all financial aid and student account counseling. The professional scope for this position includes the capacity to provide guidance on aid eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, student lending/repayment options, institutional payment plans, aid related tax exposure, student employment and health insurance compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, higher education administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
1-3+ years of experience in student accounts, financial aid, or related financial services in higher education.
Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as student accounts policies.
Commitment to participate and engage in ongoing professional development including attendance and presentation opportunities available within state, regional and national professional organizations.
Experience with student information systems (e.g., Banner, Flywire, Campus Logic, Slate, Workday) and financial aid/loan portals.
Excellent, detail-oriented communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and handle sensitive financial matters with discretion.

Responsibilities

Support the administration, processing, and assessment of multiple financial aid vehicles including federal, state, and institutionally sponsored aid programs for assigned student caseload.
Provide financial assistance and payment counseling to current and prospective students/ families.
Address questions regarding all dimensions of aid eligibility, professional judgement parameters, aid renewals, appeals, federal/private loans, external scholarships, student employment and alternative payment options.
Ensure compliance with institutional, federal and state financial aid regulations, including Title IV policies and procedures.
Participate in internal and external audit process.
Advise and monitor payment plans, coordinate with students on outstanding balances.
Assist in the development, implementation and execution of policies for collections, account holds, and financial appeals.
Oversee student billing, tuition payments, refunds, and account reconciliations.
Participate in current and prospective student programing.
Represent and promote the full scope of student financial services at virtual and in-person events. Programs include financial wellness days, FAFSA completion events, webinars, advising fairs, and open house experiences.
Assume operational leadership roles over designated projects and functions. These focus areas are determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Financial Services and may include audit prep, compliance, payment plans, collections, third party payments, outside scholarships, state affiliations, federal compliance, veteran benefits, and graduate programs.