Financial Aid Counselor

Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Job Title: Financial Aid Counselor
Department: Financial Aid
Supervisor: Director of Financial Aid
Schedule: Fulltime (1.0FTE), 12 mo., 40hrs/wk, M-F 8am-5pm
FLSA Classification: ExemptPay Range: $36,000 - $45,000

Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor provides assistance to students, their families, to proceed through the financial aid
process. This position manages the returning student financial aid portfolio and is responsible for reviewing
applications to determine eligibility and create financial aid packages. The counselor will serve as the primary
staff member responsible for the financial aid technology systems. This position is also responsible for assisting
in the management of financial aid programs, coordinating with the Department of Education in transmitting
and receiving files, corrections, fund awarding, reconciliations, and reporting in compliance with policies and
regulations.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Counsel students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies including debt management and financial planning.
• Provide outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and/or receiving financial aid. This may involve greeting visitors at the front desk, answering phone calls and emails, entertaining students/families for appointments and participating in on and off-campus financial aid related events.
• Assist with managing the Financial Aid Office email inbox.
• Review returning student applications and all related documents to ensure student eligibility requirements are satisfied for federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations and policies.
• Determine financial need and award aid.
• Work with Admissions, GPR, Business Office, EMU Lancaster and other university units, as appropriate, to resolve student issues.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for EMU Lancaster and package financial aid for eligible EMU Lancaster students.
• Certify, disburse, and reconcile all:
  • federal student loans, parent loans, and private student loans with the Department of Education and student accounts.
  • federal Pell and TEACH Grants with the Department of Education and student accounts.
  • institutional, state, and outside grants and scholarships.
• Manage weekly downloading of Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) from the US Department of Education FAFSA Processing System into PowerFAIDs, review and resolve verification issues and comment codes.
• Serve as the Pell Financial Aid Officer for COD and the Secondary Administrator for Federal Account Access.
• Monitor and maintain the institution's preferred lender list.
• Calculate and process Return to Title IV (R2T4) refunds
• Collaborate with information technology and other relevant departments to ensure successful implementation and maintenance of financial aid management systems as well as integration with other campus systems.
• Provide systems support and first-line technical training and user support for financial aid employees.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of all federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
• Perform additional financial aid related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of financial aid related federal, state, and agency rules, regulations, and reporting requirements, including Federal Title IV law and regulations.
• Proficiency with financial-aid technology knowledge and experience.
• Exemplary attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and collaborative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established procedures and attend to details with accuracy.
• Knowledge of the Jenzabar Student Information System and PowerFAIDS ERP, or comparable systems.
• Proficient with Google and Microsoft Office suites.
• Ability to provide the highest level of service to students and their families.
• Commitment to principles of access and inclusion.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively and respectfully as part of a team environment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree, previous experience in a financial aid position, private higher education experience, Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA), and experience with Salesforce case management software preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.

Key Benefits at a Glance:

• Retirement Investment: 403(b) plan featuring a generous employer match.
• Education Perks: Substantial tuition remission programs.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, and employer-supported health savings account (HSA).
• Income Protection: Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Voluntary Plans: Accident, critical illness, additional life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Time to Recharge: 15 Paid holidays, generous PTO and vacation.
• Supportive Environment: Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a collaborative campus culture.
• Relocation Assistance: Moving allowance available for eligible out-of-area hires to support your transition to Harrisonburg.
• Campus Lifestyle & Discounts: Complimentary admission to EMU home athletic and cultural arts events, plus employee discounts across university dining venues, bookstore, and the University Outpost.

About EMU: Eastern Mennonite University (emu.edu) is a private, faith-based, liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, known for academic excellence and affordability with a focus on service, social justice, and global engagement. With more than 1,500 students studying at our main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania, instructional site; and online, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate and graduate level.

EMU is committed to an inclusive and equitable campus community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and can be their authentic self. Our goal is to remove the barriers that underrepresented and marginalized groups have frequently encountered in our society. We commit to address the structures that produce discrimination, racial injustice, gender inequities and other forms of oppression, and to fully include LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other members of historically minoritized communities.

EMU encourages students, faculty and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement and sustainability. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EMU is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would deepen the diversity of the University.