Financial Aid Counselor

About College of the Holy Cross:

Founded in 1843 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the College of the Holy Cross is among the nation's leading liberal arts institutions. A highly selective, four-year, exclusively undergraduate college of 3,100 students, Holy Cross is renowned for offering a rigorous, personalized education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

Holy Cross highly values the unique skills, perspective, talents and passion that each employee contributes to its learning community. To work at The College is to accept an invitation to participate in the growth and development of all campus members, students, faculty and staff. The College's commitment to diversity is an important feature of the Holy Cross education. Informed by the presence of diverse interpretations of the human experience, Holy Cross is building a community marked by freedom, mutual respect, and civility. We seek others who support our values of diversity and inclusiveness. Job candidates of all diverse backgrounds who embrace the open and inclusive culture of Holy Cross are welcome and encouraged to apply.


Job Description:

The Financial Aid Counselor supports and assists the Director in all aspects of the operation of the Financial Aid Office. This position is responsible for the general administration of all institutional, federal, state and privately funded assistance programs. Duties include counseling students and parents, reviewing application materials, the allocation of resources, review of the disbursement of funds, maintenance of records, preparation of data, oversight of research and the issuance of reports to appropriate agencies and offices. An essential focus of this position is to support the recruitment and retention of diverse students. In conjunction with members of the Financial Aid Office and other key constituents in other offices on campus, this position will provide financial aid promoting the furtherance of student diversification on campus.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Thoroughly review, evaluate and manage financial aid applications for all entering and renewal applicants to determine eligibility using federal and institutional methodologies and exercising professional judgment when appropriate; assist in administering federal, state and institutional aid to students and families.
• Provide financial aid counseling to students and parents on all aspects of the financial aid application, award and disbursement processes. Interact with students and parents professionally, sometimes under difficult situations, and be able to explain seemingly complex and confusing regulations to students and parents.
• Engages in extensive in-person, telephone, and email communication with students, parents and cross-divisional departments. Maintain and provide collaborative and positive relationships with colleagues and develop programs and services that enhance cooperative efforts among offices.
• Maintain and utilize a thorough understanding of federal and state regulations, principles, practices, and procedures governing administration of financial aid with an emphasis on verification.
• Provide support for front office operations, assisting with walk-in students, families, and visitors.
• Provide guidance and expertise on use of various internal software systems to follow flow of financial aid information from aid awarding system to student account to ensure accuracy and to identify any issues
• Assist with compliance and auditing activities and assess/improve financial aid processes utilizing available technology.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 1-2 years of experience in financial aid/higher education preferred.
• Bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish preferred.
• Ability to think analytically and to interpret complex regulations.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours when necessary.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• 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.

Core Competencies

• Supervision
• Dependability
• Flexibility
• Service Oriented
• Excellent Written & Verbal Communication
• Proficient Problem Solving
• Understands Risk Management
• Excellent Innovation/Creativity
• Strong Teamwork & Team Facilitation
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
• Understands, values and respects diversity as an individual, in a team and within groups while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Disclaimer

The description above represents the most significant duties of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the factor degrees assigned.

To mitigate the spread and effects of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, College of the Holy Cross requires that all successful applicants show proof of full, up-to-date vaccination (including a booster dose once eligible) by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an accommodation exempting the applicant from this policy has been granted. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation based on a disability or sincerely-held religious belief should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information in your application materials.


Additional Information:

The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees. The annual salary for this position ranges from $40,000 to $45,000 and is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The College also offers a competitive benefits package for full-time staff, including:

• 10% College contribution to the 403(b) Retirement Plan (1 year wait waiver available)
• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement
• NEW - condensed summer 4-day work week
• Tuition benefits
• Wellness programs & ongoing Training and Development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Free parking and free use of the athletic/fitness facilities.
  

College Description

The College of the Holy Cross is a private, Jesuit Catholic, undergraduate institution serving approximately 3,100 students. Founded in 1843, Holy Cross is the oldest Catholic college in New England and has a tradition of academic excellence. It is located atop Mount Saint James in Worcester, Massachusetts. The picturesque, 174-acre campus is an award-winning and registered arboretum.

Region Description

Worcester is a city of approximately 170,000 people centrally located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is approximately one hour from Boston, Hartford, and Providence, and three hours from New York City. Worcester is known as the Heart of the Commonwealth. Worcester offers many cultural and recreational opportunities.

The College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all Federal and Massachusetts laws concerning Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the workplace.

A member of the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA).

To review our Employee Benefit Options, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/human-resources/benefits


Application Instructions:

Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume.

In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's mission as a Jesuit, undergraduate liberal arts college (see http://www.holycross.edu/mission ) and its core commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please provide examples of any past work that illuminate your commitments in these areas.

For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity .

Review of applications will begin as received and continue until the position has been filled.