Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Bridgeport, CT

Description

 The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for counseling and assisting University of Bridgeport prospective, accepted and enrolled students and their parents with applying for and understanding the financial aid process.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Provide advising to students and their family regarding financial aid eligibility, financial aid award packages, balance owed on the student’s account, how to set up payment plans, applying for additional loans and other payment options

• Communicate with students and families via phone, virtual and in-person appointments, and/or email

• Maintain Imagenow documentation scanning process

• Review student’s account for adjustments to financial aid because of discrepancies with credit load, housing, budget etc.; research pending aid

• Verify proper documentation is being submitted by students and parents in regards to federal Verification requirements and C Flag issues

• Review a variety of required verification documents, federal tax documents and other documents that may be requested by the SFS office with the student data listed on the FAFSA and making the necessary corrections on CPS

• Counseling families regarding verification changes, the effects on their financial aid award and the appeals process

• Promoting an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community and consistent with the departments mission, attending staff meetings and training sessions as requested, communicating effectively with supervisors concerning pertinent departmental and university matters

• Participates in all Open Houses, Accepted Students Day, Orientations as well as occasional evening and weekend events

• Ensure all prospective students have completed files and are properly awarded

• Perform related duties as necessary to support the University of Bridgeport’s mission

• Conducts all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed.

Other Functions: 

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

• Continues professional development and training; keeps current with trends.

• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office specifically Access, Excel and Word.

• Experience with software platforms desired

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

The qualifications required would generally be acquired with the following or any equivalent combination of education, work experience and training.

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred

• 2 years’ experience in customer service or related field

Physical and Mental Requirements:  

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_ X _   Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

_ X __ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

_ X __ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

_ X __ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

            left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

_ X __ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

            spatial relationships)

___      No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• 401k employer match

• Employee & dependent life insurance

• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents

• PTO program

• Flexible work schedules / work from home opportunities

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)