Financial Aid Counselor

Posting Details

Job # 036648 Department Code 00000 Department Enrollment Management & The Student Experience (ESE) Job Title Financial Aid Counselor Location Syracuse University Pay Range Commensurate with experience Staff Level S4 FLSA Status Non-exempt Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type Full-time Campus Syracuse, NY Unionized Position Code Not Applicable Job Description

The Financial Aid Counselor participates as a member of a team to provide counsel to prospective and enrolled students and their parents on matters pertaining to financial aid (i.e., advising students and parents about need-based financial aid and financing options at the university and performing needs analysis to determine student’s eligibility for aid.

Each counselor is responsible for a student population of approximately 1,200 enrolled students receiving some form of financial aid. Counselors perform needs analysis to determine federal and institutional methodology and use professional judgment as appropriate to make adjustments to calculations. Counselors represent the office at both on and off campus events throughout the year (First Year Forums, high school financial aid nights, First Year and Transfer events throughout the year with admissions, etc).

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and required with 2-3 years of experience in financial aid or other student services area.

Job Specific Qualifications

Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations is key. Excellent customer service and communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work with a diverse population with understanding, professionalism and compassion.

Experience with PeopleSoft preferred.

Must possess a flexible attitude and be able to function well as a team member in a high-volume, high-stress environment as well as the ability to work independently.

Requires excellent communication and counseling skills as well as strong analytical ability. Attention to detail and confidentiality are essential. Availability for overtime during peak award season to provide the best possible customer service.

Responsibilities

Counsel/advise students and parents, both prospective and currently enrolled, on all aspects of financial aid including federal, state and institutional programs via in person sessions, telephone and email communications. Each counselor has an enrolled student population of approximately 1,600 students receiving some type of financial aid (federal, state, and/or institutional). Participation in community outreach programs over multiple evenings and weekends takes place primarily during the fall and spring as well as multiple on campus events with admissions. Individually respond to an average of 360 emails, 1200 direct phone calls through T-Metrics and an additional 1,400 transfer calls that need more in depth conversations to respond to student/parent questions and concerns. Meet with approximately 560 students on a walk-in/appointment basis.

Review annual financial aid applications. Each counselor reviews an average of 500 Profiles in addition to completing a limited number of federal and institutional verification’s. Outreach performed via phone and/or email to resolve discrepancies and to request additional documents on incomplete files.

Review and respond to 200-300 student/parent appeals for additional funding. Perform in-depth review for professional judgments due to special circumstances (i.e. dependency overrides). Professional decision making skills and discretion used to award up to $5,000 in appeal funding on an individual basis with larger appeal recommendations presented to committee and supervisor for approval. Award an average of $545,000 in appeal funds annually to students based on special circumstances.

Present as well as participate in a variety of professional development activities including the attendance at professional conferences, Financial Literacy First Year Forum presentations, training peers and colleagues on changes in financial aid regulations both on campus and off, etc. Participation in professional development activities is critical to stay current with changes to federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies regarding the awarding of financial aid.

Physical Requirements

*

Tools/Equipment

*

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEOC

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link http://www.sujobopps.com/postings/84999 Job Posting Date 09/11/2020 Application Deadline Full Consideration By Job Category Staff Message to Applicants