Financial Aid Counselor

Widener University is currently seeking a Financial Aid Counselor in Financial Aid/Enrollment Services. Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Services, this role is responsible for awarding and processing undergraduate student financial aid; counsel students and families about financial aid options, policies and procedures; package specialized population cohorts as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Essential duties:

• Prepare financial aid offers for undergraduate students, resolve eligibility discrepancies; perform tax verification, process loans.
• Counsel students, parents, and administrators regarding financial aid, payment plans, bills, and financing alternatives.
• Make presentations to general public about financial aid.
• Utilize Ellucian/Colleague for packaging and access other online federal/state agencies for loan certification and precertification.
• Utilize FAA access, COD and the NSLDS to review and update student information.
• Review documentation for integrity and determine institutional, state, and federal aid eligibility.
• Implement, understand, and interpret federal, state, and institutional guidelines, and procedures to assist students in obtaining financial aid.
• Act as liaison to Specific Programs at the University and externally.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned or directed.

Secondary responsibilities:

• Decisions usually affect other functions within the University but decisions do not have long-range impact.
• Duties are moderately complex and fairly varied. Analytic ability is required. The incumbent has limited alternative actions and is expected to make routine decisions. A supervisor is available for non-basic questions.
• Routinely handles confidential information.
• Responsible for own work; may assist in training new employees or in answering questions directly related to position function.
• Position requires general knowledge of future work and projects requiring moderate planning.
• Regular contact outside the department/university involving routine exchange of information.
• Usual office environment; heavy walk-in traffic; high level of interaction with others in person, high level of interaction with others electronically or via telephone.
• Ability to be mobile between workstation and various campus buildings and all locations in the building.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to read and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to compose routine business correspondence
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• May include working on a couple of scheduled weekends and evenings.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener's Flexible Work policy.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.

EOE M/F/V/D