As a Financial Aid Counselor, you will play a crucial role in assisting students in navigating the financial aid process, ensuring access to education through effective financial planning. Your responsibilities will include evaluating financial aid applications, counseling students on available aid programs, and providing information about funding options. This position requires a keen understanding of financial aid regulations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to promoting accessibility to education. This is a full-time hybrid role with a minimum of two required days at Excelsior's home office of 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY, with the remainder of the days worked from home.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Financial Aid Advising:

• Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility criteria, and application procedures over the phone, email, text, and in virtual meetings.
• Assist students in understanding different types of financial aid programs and amounts of funding available, including grants, scholarships, loans, etc.

Application Processing:

• Evaluate and process financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Collaborate with other departments to obtain necessary documentation and information for financial aid assessments.

Award Packaging:

• Review financial aid packages based on students' eligibility and financial need.
• Communicate award information clearly to students, addressing any inquiries and providing additional guidance as needed.

Financial Aid Workshops:

• Conduct workshops and informational sessions to educate students and parents about the financial aid process, application deadlines, and available resources.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Stay current on federal and state financial aid regulations, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements in all aspects of financial aid administration.
• Attend trainings and conferences to enhance professional development.

Data Management:

• Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to financial aid applications, awards, and communication.

Student Service:

• Provide excellent student service by promptly responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and guiding students through the financial aid process.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate with other departments, such as admissions and academic advising, to ensure a coordinated approach in supporting students' financial needs. Other duties as assigned to support the unit or the institution.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate degree in a relevant field (e.g., finance, business, education).
• Previous experience in financial aid administration or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex financial information to diverse audiences.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in PowerFAIDS preferred.

The hiring salary range for this position is $38,500.00 - $42,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.