Undergraduate Financial Aid Counselor

Arcadia University • Glenside, PA

45d • Onsite

About The Position

This position has a primary focus on the counseling and processing of financial aid, including all loan processing, for a segment of the University's undergraduate population. The individual will counsel current and prospective students, as well as parents, through the financial aid process and be knowledgeable about various financing options. This position will assist in the recruiting efforts of the Enrollment Management Office by being knowledgeable about the admissions process and Arcadia programs and offerings and support retention efforts through outreach and support of currently enrolled students. The counselor will, in general, contribute to the planning and execution of Enrollment Management recruitment and retention efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, required
• Valid driver's license with a vehicle available for recruitment travel
• Successful completion of a background check, financial credit check and motor vehicle record check
• Communication: Able to give clear and timely information to the appropriate stakeholders in compliance with state and federal laws that safeguard personal information. Able to professionally communicate via written correspondence, telephone or video, online media, and face to face, and tailoring the message appropriately to the medium used and the audience (example: coworker, parent, student, other University employees).
• Customer Service: Able to work professionally and positively with prospective students, current students, parents, high school representatives and university employees. Provides clear and timely information and answers to questions, following up as necessary, or being able to refer an individual to a more appropriate team member. Able to empathize with others and understand the various perspectives that individuals bring to a situation, and address those perspectives.
• Project Management: Able to organize tasks in the right order to reach the right outcome at the right time. Monitor progress in projects and plans and adapt appropriately to changes or challenges. Communicates workload and status of projects effectively and timely. Is well organized and manages assignments to a successful conclusion.
• Technology: Able to use appropriate software for efficient completion of work objectives. Demonstrate beginner level mastery of core MS Office programs.
• Cultural Understanding: Able to demonstrate respect for and engage with people of diverse backgrounds to create a stronger community
• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand how this role fits into the overall goals of the EM office and the University, and how the quality and consistency of individual efforts affect other staff in the unit. Able to respond positively to direction and performance-related critiques. Able to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere while on campus and while representing the office off-campus.

Nice To Haves

• Spanish language proficiency preferred

Responsibilities

• Financial Aid Counseling (35%): The FA Counselor will serve as the primary point of contact for prospective and current students and parents, providing accurate and timely information about a variety of financial aid topics in a professional and friendly manner. The FA Counselor will communicate with students and families over the phone, email and in person. This individual will counsel students and their families regarding financial aid eligibility, financial aid award packages, balance owed on the student's account, how to set up payment plans, applying for additional loans and other payment options.
• Financial Aid Processing (30%): The FA Counselor processes loans and performs federal verification within an assigned financial aid caseload. Processing duties also include reviewing student accounts to identify discrepancies with credit load, housing and budget, applying the utmost attention to detail. The FA counselor must be knowledgeable of federal and state guidelines and institutional policy.
• Project Management (20%): The FA Counselor will be assigned to assist with 1-3 specific projects and must be able to organize tasks to reach the desired outcome at the appropriate time, monitor progress in projects and plans for changes or challenges. Communicates data updates and the status of projects as required, is well organized and manages assignments to their successful completion. Provides summary data and assessment for supervisor review. Examples of projects include: Honors Program Fulfillment Grant, Campus Visit Grant, Financial Aid Veteran's Liaison.
• Admissions Responsibilities (15%): The FA Counselor will be required to participate in weekend, evening and weekday on-campus recruiting events for undergraduate and graduate students including open houses, information sessions, receptions and Transfer Days.
• Marginal Functions: Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Vice President for Financial Aid, or other senior management, as appropriate. Assist the Office of Enrollment Management with taking on additional work on a temporary basis during times of high-volume activity or need.

Benefits

• Arcadia offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, generous tuition benefits for employees and their families, retirement benefits, health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees