Job Title:  Counselor, Student Financial Services

Division:  Enrollment Management

Evaluation Group:  Staff

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Starting Salary: $ 35,777.00 +

Reports To:  Assistant Director, Student Financial Services

Positions Supervised:  N/A

Job Summary

The counselor for student financial services is responsible for organizing financial aid and payment methods for students and families. This position provides outstanding customer service and counseling while ensuring students and families complete requirements to satisfy their financial obligations.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Counsels students and parents regarding all financing opportunities, including scholarships, grants, loans, student employment, financial liabilities, and other payment options
• Identifies necessary financial aid changes, as well as fee adjustments, based on enrollment fluctuations, etc.
• Follows up with students to ensure timely and accurate bill payment; works with students to resolve unpaid balances
• Awards financial aid as needed
• Participates in high school recruiting events and presentations
• Participates in workshops and professional development within the Student Financial Services (SFS) team and with external agencies
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of student files
• Offers ideas and suggestions for improving student financial counseling experiences
   

Service Excellence

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values – integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and teamwork
• Works with students and families to troubleshoot financial aid and payment issues

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

• Reviews, sends, and tracks timely and accurate communications
• Coordinates student follow-up communications after aid changes and billing updates
• Works with internal and external constituents to resolve aid processing, certification, and disbursement issues 

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in financial aid or student accounts receivables
• Experience with student financial services model preferred
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Ability to coordinate with other departments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students
• Strong public speaking skills
• Highly organized with the ability to participate in multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to use good judgment and think critically
• Knowledge of general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and financial aid proprietary applications (Workday, Common Origination and Disbursement [COD], EDExpress, and National Student Loan Data System [NSLDS])

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.  

• General office setting

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Adequately mobile to attend meetings and events across campus
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees.  Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.