Financial Aid Counselor

Application Process: Please ensure your resume and cover letter are uploaded to the application.

About Alverno College

Alverno College is nationally recognized for its innovative, ability-based curriculum that emphasizes active learning, continuous feedback, and student development. Learn more about our academic programs at https://catalog.alverno.edu/.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This role requires the ability to communicate effectively, use instructional technology, and work in classroom, laboratory, and/or online learning environments. Laboratory instructors must be able to safely demonstrate and supervise laboratory activities in accordance with established safety procedures.

Applicant Accommodations

Alverno College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants who require an accommodation to complete the application process or participate in an interview should contact the Human Resources Department at hr@alverno.edu.

Alverno College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Alverno College is looking for an individual to share workload with financial aid staff to provide aid processing and counseling services to students and their families. Administer financial aid programs and services as assigned by the Director in keeping with federal, state, and institutional guidelines and regulations. Maintain proactive and positive working relationships with other College departments and governmental agencies related to financial aid programs

Principal Responsibilities

1. Administration of Financial aid programs

a. Package new and continuing students and send out award notifications.

b. Assist with compliance for institutional, state, and federal policies.

2. Assist with financial aid processing as needed by the department

a. Complete a file review on student's ISIR information and perform necessary verification. Identify and resolve conflicting information contained within student's file.

b. Run mismatch report to analyze and adjust student financial aid awards as necessary.

3. Serve as a resource on Financial Aid Information:

a. Communicate information and help staff and students on an ongoing basis.

b. Present financial aid information to students and families at college presentations and area financial aid nights.

c. Counsel students and their families regarding financial awareness and planning.

4. Fiscal responsibilities

a. Work with members of the Financial Aid, Student Accounts and Finance teams to coordinate the distribution of student aid funds.

b. Primary responsibility for Pell disbursement and reconciliation on an ongoing basis.

c. Monitor fund accounts for Pell and other awards as needed.

5. Computer System Development and Maintenance:

a. Assists with the set-up and ongoing maintenance/troubleshooting of Colleague.

b. Assist the Director with maintaining and maximizing the financial aid functions in Colleague, including the appropriate analysis and reporting of data.

c. Assist with reporting through communication management

d. Assist with the testing of new software patches, including new award year file suites

6. Assist Director with the completion of the annual FISAP and other reports as needed.

7. Maintain positive and proactive working relationships with multiple administrative and academic support departments.

8. Maintain proactive, positive, and informative relationships with local, state, and federal financial aid agencies.

9. Assist with maintaining a student-centered and student friendly office.

10. Participate in department meetings, committees, and official College functions when appropriate.

11.Comply with safety procedures and maintain clean and orderly work areas.

12. Perform other tasks as necessary to support the mission of the College and as requested by Director or Assistant Director.

Working Relationships/Direction of Others Duties

May request assistance from Office Manager as needed.

Work Environment

General office environment with activity peaks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English is a plus.
• Minimum 2 years of full-time work in financial aid recommended.
• Knowledge of policies related to awarding institutional funds and federal and state regulations pertaining to financial aid.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak effectively before groups, respond professionally and in a timely manner to questions or requests, and write reports and correspondence. Ability to read and interpret documents.
• Requires strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work with frequent interruptions. Must have the ability to professionally respond to variations in schedules and plans and develop innovative approaches and ideas to meet challenges.
• Requires the ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and electronic financial aid management/database systems.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally travel and work some evenings and weekends.
• Valid Driver's License with a driving license record that meets the qualifications of an Alverno driver.