Student Financial Services Counselor

Southeastern University • Lakeland, FL

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Financial Services (SFS) Counselor role is essential in the way that they assist students and families proactively in navigating the financial aid process at SEU. The SFS Counselor will help students by optimizing funding from federal, state, and institutional resources within the framework of established federal/state/institutional regulations and policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• A minimum of one year of administrative/clerical experience in a professional office environment using Microsoft or Google Suite products.
• Proven customer service skills and enthusiasm for providing exceptional service to diverse populations including undergraduate, online/site-based students, graduate students, parents, staff, faculty, and other constituencies
• Sensitivity to the financial concern and stress of students and their families, and an aptitude for explaining complex financial information in terms that are easily understood and enhance the student/parent experience
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organization, and analytical skills
• Experience in multi-task and detail operations
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to stressful circumstances and difficult students/parents
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively towards the optimum delivery of service to students/parents
• All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional standing, walking, or moving between offices/buildings for meetings or events.
• Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and copiers.
• Clear verbal communication and listening skills for advising students and families.
• Adequate vision for reading detailed documents, reports, and financial forms.
• Ability to interpret visual information such as charts, graphs, or electronic data.
• Ability to maintain focus and productivity during standard work hours.
• Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.
• All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks.
• Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, education or other related field.
• A minimum of one year in higher education, preferably in student services or a financial aid role.
• Familiarity with the Google Suite of products
• Flexibility in work schedule to accommodate limited evening and weekend hours
• Preference given to candidates with PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar software experience
• Occasional standing, walking, or moving between offices/buildings for meetings or events.
• Occasional standing, walking, or moving between offices/buildings for meetings or events.
• Ability to maintain focus and productivity during standard work hours.
• Occasionally required to work extended hours during peak enrollment periods.
• Physical ability to attend recruitment events or financial aid workshops as needed.

Responsibilities

• Have working knowledge of federal/state financial assistance regulations and SEU policies in awarding financial aid to ensure compliance and audit requirements
• Respond to emails and voicemail messages within 1 business day
• Provide information and guidance to students and their families via email, phone, and in-person meetings on institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs and payment plans administered by the university
• Determine eligibility (including satisfactory academic progress) and award various types of federal, state, and institutional assistance in full compliance with federal and state regulations, university policies, and audit requirements
• Facilitate the awarding and receipt of scholarships (with federal/state/SEU awards) from both SEU and off-campus sources
• Notify students regarding financial aid offers and updates to eligibility
• Communicate with students and their families regarding student account balances, charges, and aid
• Advise students and their families of payment plan options, costs, and deadlines
• Provide excellent customer service to students and their families
• Navigate and learn necessary federal and state systems and resources as required to support SFS operations

Benefits

• 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level