Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Harrisburg, PA

Wilson College is currently accepting applications for the position of Financial Aid Counselor. The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for providing timely information to students and their families about all financial aid programs and procedures. This includes processing and verifying application information, as well as preparing student files for packaging with careful attention to accuracy. The role also involves coordinating student employment, State Grant programs, and other PHEAA matching-funds programs. The Financial Aid Counselor works collaboratively with others in Financial Aid, Student Financial Services, and Admissions to support Wilson's mission and strategic plan. Approaching the position with a dedication to serving students, families, and the college community is paramount.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides financial aid information to prospective and current students, their families and the community.
• Processes financial aid applications and supporting documents, completes verification, and prepares student files for packaging.
• Assists Student Financial Services with financial wellness efforts and coordinates the annual financial aid advocacy day.
• Coordinates state grant processing and outreach with students and agencies.
• Works closely with Student Financial Services to coordinate billing and student aid.
• Provides financial aid information to current and prospective students.
• Assists in responding to emails sent to the finaid@wilson mailbox.
• Works closely with Admissions and other College offices.
• Participates in recruitment events on and off campus.
• Provides support services with the Financial Aid Office including answering phones, assisting students who visit the office, scheduling appointments, updating financial aid resources, faxing, and filing.
• Other duties as required by Director or Assistant Director

COMPETENCY:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to empathize with students and families from diverse backgrounds, and provide outstanding customer service.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, flexible, and experience overseeing multiple priorities
• Aptitude for exercising judgement and maintaining confidentiality
• Experience working independently and collaboratively as a team member
• Detailed knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs (Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and knowledge of Excel preferred)

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

• Full-time, 12-month position
• Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, variable hours dependent on the needs of the department
• Some work during evenings and weekends will be required.

TRAVEL:

• Travel may occur during recruitment events, while attending conferences, and for any off campus financial aid events.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree or at least 2 years of college required; Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., business, accounting, finance) preferred
• Experience working in financial aid, business/finance, or human services in a post-secondary institution preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Working at Wilson: Wilson College provides all eligible, full-time employees with a wide range of benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage; college-paid basic life and long-term disability insurance; and employee-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for health and dependent care. Also available to eligible employees is a Defined Contribution Retirement plan with TIAA. Educational benefits for employees and their families include undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Tuition Exchange scholarship opportunities are also available across a vast consortium of colleges.

Wilson College offers a flexible, supportive culture that believes in work-life balance, with remote work options available, and generous paid leave policies including paid parental leave, paid vacation, sick, personal leave, 13 paid holidays, paid jury duty, and paid bereavement leave including miscarriage and stillbirth.

Wilson College offers free on-campus fitness center membership, flexible and affordable dining hall meal plans, health and wellness services, and an employee assistance program.

Wilson College is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit qualifying employer, employees of the College may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.