Financial Aid Counselor

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:

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

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• 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

Physical Activity

Lifting Requirements