Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Houston, TX

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

This position posting requires a cover letter and a resume. Please attach both required documents under the attachments portion of the application.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is an integral part of the Office of Financial Aid within the Enrollment Division at Rice University, a highly selective research institution located in the Heart of Houston, Texas. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of all sources of student financial aid in a manner strategically driven to meet the enrollment goals of Rice University. The office is also responsible for ensuring that students and families are informed about the financial assistance available to them, including information on all federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs.

The assistant director will be responsible for projects or initiatives that have a defined scope, moderate levels of complexity and external visibility, and require autonomous (independent) execution. As part of a team, the Assistant Director will administer the University's financial aid programs and policies for undergraduate and/or graduate students. The assistant director is also responsible for communicating these policies to students’ families, Rice colleagues, high school educators, and the general public. The ability to counsel and communicate complex financial information to students and their families is essential.

The assistant director will be building skills to learn the work of the enrollment division at a highly selective institution. Familiarity with institutional methodology, and 100% verification, as well as knowledge of Rice University and/or experience in a higher education environment is desired.

Ideal Candidate Statement: 

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years experience in financial aid administration with progressive responsibilities and exhibit excellent customer service. They will have shown initiative to participate in development resources available to them. Experience providing outreach to educate the public on financial aid toward expanding access to higher education.

Workplace Requirements 

On campus position: This position is on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at Rice University. A hybrid schedule may be considered after completion of the initial probation period. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2 years of experience in financial aid
• Type of experience: successful experience in higher education financial aid and successful track record of working with diverse student populations in a positive manner.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, and staff
• Expertise in counseling and working with students individually, ability to provide excellent customer service in difficult situations
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage time and workflow and to manage multiple, concurrent high priority projects in a time-pressured environment
• Demonstrated analytical and quantitative skills, good judgment

Skills: 

• Practical knowledge of Federal Student Aid including the application process, verification, and packaging aid offers. 
• Use of spreadsheets to analyze and reconcile assigned programs.
• Ability to use critical thinking in making adjustments or recommend enhancements in systems and processes to solve problems or improve effectiveness.
• Effective communication 

Preferences:

Experience managing and reconciling federal or state financial aid programs at the institution level.

Essential Functions:

• Assists with analysis of applications and completing need analysis for a high volume of financial aid applications
• Reviews detailed financial documents, including tax returns, for accuracy of reported financial information
• Helps determine student awards based on computed financial need and other factors, adjust budget and package based on special circumstances
• Reviews a wide variety of reports to identify changes or conflicting data in financial systems
• Supports the aid processing for effective allocation of federal, state and institutional resources in financial aid packages by verifying, completing needs analysis and packaging undergraduate and graduate students
• Provides information pertaining to financial aid application procedures and opportunities to prospective / admitted / deposited students, as well as one‐on‐one counseling of students regarding financial aid procedures and opportunities
• Aids students to facilitate solutions and resolves complex issues regarding their financial aid package, verification, satisfactory progress, or other financial aid concerns
• Creates and presents financial aid presentations, both on and off campus
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

Some travel to outreach events and conferences expected.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels.  It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.