Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor


Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Title: Financial Aid Counselor

Department: Office of Financial Aid

Reports to: Director of Financial Aid

Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible

Location: Lisle Campus

Position Summary: The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state, institutional, and outside financial aid funds in compliance with federal and state regulations, policies and procedures. This position is responsible for counseling students on matters of financial aid eligibility, and for providing necessary information regarding student financial assistance programs to various constituencies. The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for providing comprehensive financial aid services to students enrolled in the Benedictine University traditional and non-traditional programs.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Packaging- Perform complex financial aid processes, such as determining student aid eligibility, packaging students, certifying loans, all the while maintaining accurate financial aid documentation to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
2. Counseling - Advise students about their financial aid eligibility. Explain the application process, aid programs, costs, indebtedness, money management and financial planning; individualize information to the particular needs and situation of the student.

3. Serve as School Certifying Official for VA Benefits – Assist veteran students by serving as a liaison between the student and VA. Aid veterans with the application process and answer questions related to VA benefit eligibility and the overall VA benefits process. Certify assigned students’ VA benefits to ensure payment is received a timely manner. Complete annual training to remain current on VA rules and regulations and assist with the annual VA audit.

4. Verification & Special Circumstances - Evaluate, review, and assess financial documents in accordance with federal guidelines to determine financial aid eligibility and/or to make professional judgement decisions for increased Title IV aid, state, and university aid eligibility.

5. Direct Loan and Alternative Loan Processing – Ensure timely and accurate disbursement of loan funds by reviewing eligibility criteria at the time of scheduled loan disbursements. Review and process applications and certification requests for students requesting alternative student loans. Contact students to discuss alternative loan options and process.

6. Student Notifications – Send hard copy and/or electronic notifications to students regarding; award letters, verification documents, entrance counseling and loan disbursements.

7. Research and Implementation – Attend training in person and via webinar and review information disseminated by State and Federal agencies and professional organizations to keep abreast of changes and updates to regulation. Update departmental policies and procedures accordingly.

Other Functions:

Campus Events - Participate in various University recruitment functions throughout the year such as open houses, advising & registration information sessions.

Professional Development - Keep current with all federal and state regulations and institutional policies by participating in training opportunities throughout the year. Research and evaluate the impact of any regulatory changes and make change recommendations current policies and procedures
Interacts with students and lenders, employers, donors, guarantee agencies and/or staff to resolve issues.

Interact and work in a team environment with other office staff to ensure workload is complete.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:



Education: High School Graduate/GED Required, Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Experience: 2 years in financial aid at a post-secondary institution setting and excellent customer service.

Specific Skills: Must be proficient in the Internet and Windows-based software including Microsoft Word and Excel; provide exceptional customer service; Complete moderately complex administrative paperwork and make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments; Manage data files; Work within a group or independently.

Specific Knowledge, Licenses, Certifications: Yes. Full knowledge of the current guidelines and regulations of Federal, State, and military financial aid processes. Use of FSA or EDE, NSLDS, CPS, and COD Online familiarity preferred. Prior PeopleSoft SMS and VA Once experience is highly encouraged.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Use of computer screen, phone and customer service. May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Per Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing is required.

Travel (If applicable): No

Supervisory Responsibility (if applicable): N/A

Working Conditions: Normal office environment

Training: Must complete all trainings required by Benedictine University.

Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Per Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing is required.

Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.