Financial Aid Counselor - Bellarmine University

Job Description

The Office of Financial Aid invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Financial Aid Counselor.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for providing comprehensive financial aid counseling and support to prospective and continuing students.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide high-quality customer service to prospective and continuing students regarding financial aid eligibility and processes
• Analyze federal financial aid applications to determine students' financial need
• Prepare and award financial aid packages and perform all duties related to the financial aid process
• Interact professionally with students and parents, including in challenging situations, to resolve financial aid-related issues
• Utilize and update databases and process applications for financial aid received from students
• Collect and analyze student financial data to determine aid eligibility and make awards in accordance with federal, donor, and institutional guidelines
• Evaluate documentation related to unusual or mitigating circumstances submitted by students
• Exercise professional judgment by adjusting cost of attendance, contribution, or dependency status, as appropriate
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of information related to federal financial aid, scholarships, employment, and grants, for various campus groups, as well as high school students and parents at meetings, workshops, group discussions, and recruitment events
• Plan, organize, and administer loan programs, including Federal Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and alternative loan programs
• Resolve any issues with direct loans by reviewing the comment codes on the FAFSA form.
• Process and monitor budgets for institutional loans, create Master Promissory Notes on ECSI (third-party partner)
• Analyze system-generated reports (e.g., grades, enrollment status, award status) to ensure continued compliance with federal and institutional eligibility requirements
• Notify students of changes in award eligibility and provide guidance on available options
• Respond to questions, inquiries, and requests from students, parents, and guardians in person and in writing regarding financial aid programs and eligibility

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• One year of financial aid experience in a school, college, or university setting
• Knowledge of financial aid eligibility requirements, application procedures, aid programs, cost of attendance, student indebtedness, responsible money management, and financial planning