Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Counselor

About Worcester State University:

WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY is a liberal arts and sciences university with a long tradition of academic excellence dating back to 1874, as well as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to reflect the diversity of its community. Our workforce is dedicated to academic quality, student-centered programming, engaged citizenship, open exchanges of ideas, diversity and inclusiveness, and civility and integrity. We are looking for job applicants who share these values and commitment to our students.

Worcester State is centrally located in Massachusetts, about an hour's drive from Boston, Springfield, and Providence, Rhode Island. Our 58-acre campus is nestled in the residential northwest side of Worcester--the second largest city in New England and home to 37,000 college students at more than a dozen colleges and universities. Over 6,000 of those students attend Worcester State--approximately 5,300 are undergraduates and 1,000 are graduate students. Learn more about us at worcester.edu/about .


Job Description:

OFFICIAL TITLE: Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Counselor
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Associate Director of Financial Aid
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

General Statement of Duties: The Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Counselor is responsible all aspects of the Federal Work Study program. The Staff Assistant has a caseload of financial aid applicants at Worcester State University and is responsible for review of their files and financial aid counseling for students and families. This person is also responsible for file review and financial aid counseling of the online population, for both undergraduate and graduate students. The incumbent is required to participate in various on-campus student and parent events including FAFSA Day, Congratulations Day, Open Houses, Parent Orientation, First Year Student Orientation, Transfer Orientation, and Transfer Information Sessions. Excellent customer service skills are required.

Responsibilities:

(E) = Essential

1. (E) Provides counseling and advice to parents and students regarding the complete financial aid process.
2. (E) Reviews Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications for accuracy and verification status. Requests required documentation to complete the verification process. Completes financial aid file review, calculates financial need, determines aid eligibility.
3. (E) Reviews and processes appeals for dependency overrides, special circumstances, and unsatisfactory academic progress.
4. (E) Assists the Director and Associate Director in the preparation of office forms and publications, the development of policies and procedures as well as planning, organizing and participating in financial aid activities on campus.
5. (E) Engages in extensive in-person, telephone, and email communication with students, parents and cross-divisional departments.
6. (E) Represents the Financial Aid Office at various student and parent information and orientation sessions on campus.
7. (E) Management of Federal Work Study Program. Responsible for placement of all work study students attending Worcester State University. Ensures all necessary paperwork is completed by both the student and department supervisor. Determines eligibility for each recipient based on annual FAFSA data. Works with various members of the University's finance department to reconcile the award fund each year.
8. (E) Responsible for file review and awarding of online student population for both graduate and undergraduate populations.
9. (E) Monitors Federal Pell Grant program Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) to comply with lifetime limits and determine remaining eligibility.
10. (E) Reports Educational Purpose results via FAA Access.
11. (E) Demonstrates civility and professional, customer-service oriented behavior, worthy of emulation by other staff and students.
12. (E) Responsible for contributing to the WSU Strategic Plan
13. (E) Responsible for contributing to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action objectives.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.
15. (E) Demonstrates civility and professional, customer-service oriented behavior, worthy of emulation by other staff and students.
16. (E) Responsible for contributing to the WSU Strategic Plan.
17. (E) Responsible for contributing to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action objectives.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of two (2) years' work and experience in financial aid, or related experience.
• Understanding of federal and state regulations, principles, practices, and procedures governing administration of financial aid with an emphasis on verification.
• Ability to think analytically to interpret complex regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Gmail.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours when necessary.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Outstanding interactive skills; ability to work well with administrative staff and student personnel, as well as external community groups and organizations.
• High energy and enthusiasm and excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to successfully pass a thorough background check and CORI check.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Bilingual; Spanish preferred.
• Computer aptitude using integrated student information systems software (such as Ellucian's Colleague).

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, professional APA position. The firm starting annual salary range for this position is $45,000 - $52,000, commensurate with relevant professional experience and education.

It is the policy of Worcester State University that all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by WSU, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources, after an offer of employment has been made.

Worcester State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• a choice of 9 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options
• a choice of pension or 401(a), and supplemental plan retirement options
• life insurance up to 8x the annual salary
• long-term disability coverage
• dental insurance
• 20 vacation days accrued per year
• 15 sick days accrued per year
• 5 personal days per year
• paid holidays
• tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children
• and more...

We are an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. M/F/D/V. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.


Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online and may do so by visiting www.worcester.edu/careers, and submitting a cover letter, resume, and the contact information of three professional references.

For assistance with uploading materials, log a ticket via the HelpDesk link, or contact us directly at 508-929-8053.

URL: www.worcester.edu