Job No. 156026
- Job Title:
- Financial Aid Counselor
- Employer:
-
Syracuse University
- Location:
-
Syracuse , NY
- Posting Date:
- 30-Jul-2025
- Description:
-
Job Description
The Financial Aid Counselor is part of a team that supports Syracuse University’s effort to attract and retain qualified students by advising a diverse population of prospective and enrolled students and their parents on matters pertaining to financial aid and scholarships. Each counselor is responsible for a population of several hundred students.
Counselors assist students and families in navigating financial aid eligibility, sensitive family financial situations, financial planning strategies and payment options, and academic progress. They work in a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment to apply knowledge of swiftly changing federal regulations and institutional requirements to each student they advise. Counselors also perform needs analysis to determine federal and institutional eligibility and use professional judgment as appropriate to adjust calculations. Counselors represent the office at both on and off campus events throughout the year.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred.
Two or more years of financial aid experience preferred, though counseling experience in other higher education student services area could be a reasonable substitution.
Skills and Knowledge
Knowledge of regulations in interpreting and administering federal Title IV, state and University financial aid programs to ensure compliance.
Excellent communication and counseling skills as well as the ability to use professionalism, tact, discretion, and compassion in advising.
Must possess a flexible attitude and be able to function well as a team member in a high-volume, fast paced environment while paying close attention to detail and prioritizing workload to meet numerous deadlines crucial to meeting the University enrollment goals.
Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for students and staff. This includes but is not limited to: fostering an office environment that allows students and staff of different backgrounds and identities to feel safe, accepted, and understood; helping students with financial aid and financial literacy education to overcome barriers to college attainment; and helping develop and further initiatives in this area.
Experience with PeopleSoft or other student information systems, OnBase or other imaging systems, and Microsoft software products.
Availability for overtime during peak award season.
Responsibilities
Counsel students and parents, both prospective and current, on all aspects of financial aid including federal, state, and institutional programs via in person or virtual appointments, telephone, and email communications, all of which are very heavy during the admission and returning award seasons.
Each counselor has a population of several hundred students receiving some type of financial aid (federal, state, and/or institutional) and provides advisement to that population using principles that are sensitive to the challenges of students in their assigned cohort while adhering to the ever-changing U.S. Department of Education and University policies and procedures.
Each counselor also monitors the aid eligibility of their student population and adjusts aid as necessary throughout the year.
Counselors also participate in community outreach programs such as FAFSA filing nights over multiple evenings and weekends during the fall and spring as well as multiple on campus Admissions events.
Counsel/advise students/parents on all aspects of financial aid, including federal, state and institutional programs.
Determine eligibility for aid adhering to federal, state and institutional policies and procedures.
Communications are via email, in-person, phone, online chat.
Package students and update awards based on CPS-specific program funding and incentives.
Apply financial aid grants per the requirement of sponsored funding programs, including but not limited to TA (military tuition assistance) and VA funding, and AmeriCorps.
Award and revise financial aid packages of CPS students, review refund requests to (re-)verify aid eligibility.
Complete daily reports per weekly report schedule.