Financial Aid Counselor

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor I is an integral part of the Office of Financial Aid within the Enrollment Division at Rice University, a highly selective research institution located in the Heart of Houston, Texas. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of all sources of student financial aid in a manner strategically driven to meet the enrollment goals of Rice University. The office is also responsible for ensuring that students and families are informed about the financial assistance available to them, including information on all federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, this position administers and implements university and/or department Financial Aid policies and procedures as well as services for students. The Financial Aid Counselor I will be responsible for evaluating and processing all financial aid files using an institutional and federal methodology. This includes verification of all applications using prior-year tax returns. In addition, as part of a team, this position provides direct support to prospective students, current students, undergraduate and/or graduates, their families and supporters, Rice colleagues, and the general public related to financial aid programs and policies, particularly in relation to The Rice Investment.

Essential Functions

• Reviews student eligibility for outside scholarship funds per University policy and donor guidelines; adjusts existing aid packages as appropriate
• Adjusts student eligibility upon request for student loans based on eligibility guidelines
• Communicates financial information and application procedures
• Responds to a high volume of requests for information via email
• Serves as the main point of contact for walk-in and phone traffic to the Financial Aid Office
• Answers inquiries by clarifying desired information; researching, locating, and providing information
• Resolves problems by clarifying issues, researching and exploring answers and alternative solutions, escalating unresolved problems
• Documents student interactions when appropriate
• Occasionally assist with data updates; indexing of scanned documents, and updating student records
• Maintains and improves quality results by adhering to standards and guidelines; recommending improved procedures
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: 6-months of familiarity with university or college financial aid – may include work as a student assistant or experience with federal work-study; you may also substitute additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis in lieu of the experience requirement.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, donors, and staff
• Excellent phone and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work at a very detailed level, using numeric data with a high degree of speed and accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage time and workflow, and manage multiple, concurrent high-priority projects in a time-pressured environment
• Ability to understand and explain university policy to others
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team, identify and implement process improvements
• Ability to use multiple financial aid systems, document management systems, windows- based environments, and office applications
• Demonstrated analytical and quantitative skills, sound judgment

Preferences

• Recent college graduate
• Proficiency with Banner and familiarity with state and federal student loans
• Related experience in higher education financial aid with a proven track record of working with diverse student populations in a positive manner

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies