Student Financial Services Counselor

Position Description

Student Financial Services Counselors are critical team members of Student Financial Services (SFS). SFS is a vibrant, student-focused department with 21 full-time positions and several student workers. SFS serves students and their supporters through financial aid awarding, student account processing, work-study allocation, student loan processing, and counseling and advising on all these matters.  

The SFS Counselors are responsible for counseling students, prospective students and their families about financial aid and student accounts; reviewing and evaluating financial aid applications; awarding financial aid; administering student financial aid programs and processes; and analyzing and reconciling student account information. 

Successful SFS Counselors possess a balance of independence, self-initiative, analytical skills, and a welcoming, engaging, and positive attitude toward students and colleagues.  

Essential Functions:  

Review and evaluate financial aid applications to determine student financial need, accuracy of information, and eligibility for available funds. Award student financial aid according to federal and state regulations, and Seattle University financial aid policy. Counsel and advise students and parents on financial options available. Administer one or more federal, state, or institutional programs. Monitor and keep current on federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations. Analyze and reconcile student accounts. 

Counseling, Advising, and Processing (60%) 

• Counsel and advise students and parents in person, by phone and via email on all aspects of financial aid eligibility, as well as student accounts and billing.
• Award and revise financial aid. Make independent professional judgments and adjustments to student eligibility and financial aid based on unique student circumstances.
• Process documents and other associated duties, including appeals, requests for additional/reduced aid, enrollment revisions, verification revisions, ISIR revisions, satisfactory academic progress appeals and consortium agreements. 
  

Program and Process Responsibility (35%) 

• Assume content specialist responsibility for assigned programs. Programs assigned can be but are not limited to:  State financial aid programs, Veterans Benefits, athletic aid, work-study, outreach, scholarships, education abroad, and/or tuition remission.
• Responsible for documentation of procedures and processing.   

Training and Presentations (5%) 

• Attend professional training including conferences and workshops.
• Conduct financial aid workshops, both on and away from campus for prospective students and represent Student Financial Services and Seattle University at events for prospective and admitted students on and away from campus. 
  

Marginal Job Functions:  

• Proactively initiate training for staff members, both within SFS and across campus, about general aspects of financial aid and student account review and analysis as well as about updates and new requirements in assigned content specialty.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of two years of experience working in a Financial Aid Office (or related area) working with city, state or federal regulations OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.  
  
• Must possess the ability to read, interpret and understand federal regulations.
  
• Counsel individuals and their families in financial aid matters and work both independently and cooperatively with other staff members.
  
• Must have strong math skills, Desktop PC and mainframe computer experience are required.
  
• Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective work relations with students, faculty, staff and the general public.
  
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in the English language. 

Preferred Qualifications:   

• Experience with Ellucian Colleague ERP 
  
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)  

Application Instructions

Please attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified. 

Compensation at a Glance

Salary Range: $52,000 - $54,000

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/