Financial Aid Counselor

Job title: Financial Aid Counselor

About the Role The Financial Aid Counselor is a key customer service representative in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. This role is responsible for determining eligibility for and awarding federal, state, and institutional funds. The Counselor will manage specialized tasks and projects, utilizing various software applications. Acting as a liaison between students, parents, university personnel, and relevant federal and state agencies, the Counselor also supports all office duties. Additionally, this position contributes to the University’s enrollment and student success initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Serve as frontline customer service representative, providing assistance to students and families regarding financial aid.
• Analyze and process financial aid applications to determine eligibility and awards, in accordance with federal, state, donor, and institutional guidelines.
• Request additional information as needed; perform verifications to resolve discrepancies in awards; notify students of changes.
• Utilize information systems to input data, maintain databases, conduct research, and generate reports using student data.
• Select and notify recipients for specific programs in a timely manner.
• Address inquiries from students, parents, or guardians regarding financial aid programs and eligibility, in person and in writing.
• Analyze system-generated reports to ensure continued compliance and eligibility for students receiving aid.
• Resolve financial aid issues and questions received via email, texts, and phone calls.
• Assist in the reconciliation of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs to ensure compliance.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid at events (Graduate, Open Houses, Undergraduate Admissions Open Houses).
• Conduct FAFSA workshops and financial aid presentations.
• Adhere to FERPA policies and stay current on updates to state and federal regulations.
• Secondary responsibilities: Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s Degree; previous financial aid or higher education experience.
• Working knowledge of financial aid systems such as Banner/Ellucian, NSLDS, PHEAA, COD (Common Origination and Disbursement).
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, awarding eligibility requirements and supporting regulations.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities; analytical, detail-oriented, motivated, independent thinker.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to handle challenging situations in a diplomatic and customer-service oriented manner.
• Ability to manage time, collaborate effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of La Salle University.

Nice to Have

• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Knowledge of ARGOS or Banner by Ellucian.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work with diverse students and families.

Compensation & Benefits La Salle University offers comprehensive medical and dental plans, employer-paid life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays), and tuition benefits such as no-cost undergraduate and graduate degree programs for employees (with no wait period) and no-cost undergraduate degree programs for employees’ dependents (after completing the required years of service).