Financial Aid Counselor

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for counseling and assisting University of Bridgeport prospective, accepted and enrolled students and their parents with applying for and understanding the financial aid process.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Primary responsibilities:

• Support and maintain daily front desk operations including but not limited to assisting walk-in students with all inquiries.
• Responsible for organization and restocking of all front desk resources such as forms, financial aid pamphlets and supplies.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive counseling and advisement to all current and prospective students and families by video, phone, in person, and email with the goal of delivering exceptional service
• Participate in all Open Houses, Accepted Students Day, Orientations as well as occasional evening and weekend events
• Works closely with Admissions to ensure all prospective students have completed files and are properly awarded
• Works as a One-Stop with the University's Bursar office.
• Provide advising to students and their family regarding financial aid eligibility, financial aid award packages, balance owed on the student's account, how to set up payment plans, applying for additional loans and other payment options
• Responsible for the SFS Email box
• Responsible for answering all incoming calls to the SFS Office and SFS Voice Mail
• Provide support with student outreach and projects as needed
• Responsible for matching documents uploaded to secure cloud to the student's file
• Maintaining Imagenow documentation scanning process
• Review of student's account for adjustments to financial aid because of discrepancies with credit load, housing, budget etc.
• Research pending aid
• Verify proper documentation is being submitted by students and parents in regard to federal Verification requirements and C Flag issues.
• Reviewing a variety of the required verification documents, federal tax documents and other documents that may be requested by the SFS office with the student data listed on the FAFSA and making the necessary corrections on CPS
• Counseling families regarding verification changes, the effects on their financial aid award and the appeals process
• Promoting an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community and consistent with the department's mission, attending staff meetings and training sessions as requested, communicating effectively with supervisors concerning pertinent departmental and university matters
• Perform related duties as necessary to support the University of Bridgeport's mission
• Conduct all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed.

Other Functions:

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continuing professional development and training; keeps current with trends.
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Must be detail-oriented
• Excellent customer service skills
• Professional oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Process information quickly and accurately
• Able to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a high-volume environment

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least 1 year of Customer Service experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV Regulations as well as Federal and State Funding Programs
• At least one year at the professional level in a Financial Aid Office
• Knowledge of Ellucian system

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Work Environment

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Outdoor Weather Conditions

X

Work with fumes or airborne particles

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Vibration

X

Physical Activity

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Talking & Hearing

X

Using hands/fingers to handle/feel

X

Climbing or balancing

X

Bending, pulling, pushing

X

Driving

X

Lifting Requirements

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

Over 100 pounds

X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_ Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

___ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

___ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

___ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

___ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Pet Insurance

• 401k employer match

• Employee & dependent life insurance

• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents

• PTO program

• Occasional work from home opportunities

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.