"Financial Aid Counselor"

The Financial Aid Counselor plays a vital role in supporting the mission of College for Creative Studies by helping students navigate the financial aid process in a creative, student-centered environment. This position provides individual counseling to students and families, administers federal, state, and institutional aid, and oversees key programs including Work-Study and endowed scholarships. The Counselor ensures compliance with applicable regulations while supporting access to education.

• Advise current and prospective students and families on financial aid application procedures, eligibility requirements, award status, and financial planning options
• Review and process financial aid applications, verify information, and determine eligibility in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations
• Evaluates professional judgement, dependency override, and financial aid adjustment documentation provided by the student
• Package financial aid awards using federal, state, and institutional guidelines, maintaining compliance
• Coordinator for the Federal/Institutional work-study program – main contact for students, supervisors and Human Resources office; ensuring funds are being fully utilized, updating SIS with work-study earning amounts, reconciliation of FWS program
• Coordinator for the Endowed/Restricted Scholarships – manage the awarding, reconciling and coordination of the scholarships in conjunction with Institutional Advancement and Academic Departments; maintain accurate records for internal reporting and donor stewardship; assist with donor reports and solicitation of thank-you letters
• Serve as a back up for Private educational loans; certifying, awarding, reconciling
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies with assigned areas through review of program handbooks and participation in workshop and training sessions
• Represent the College and Financial Aid Office at various college and financial aid events – including some evening and weekend hours
• Collaborate with other departments such as Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts to support enrollment and retention goals
• Perform additional duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2+ years of experience in financial aid, higher education, or student services
• Familiarity with federal and state financial aid programs and regulations
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including a strong sensitivity to diverse student populations
• Self-motivated and able to work well independently and as part of a team
• Exceptional organizational, time management and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Colleague/Ellucian software system
• Knowledge of Work-Study regulations and scholarship administration
• Experience with various federal processing systems (COD, NSLDS, ELM, FPS, etc.).

About College for Creative Studies: College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors: Advertising Design, Art Education, Art Practice, Communication Design, Craft and Material Studies, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design. It also offers a Master's degrees in four majors: Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Systems Design Thinking, and Transportation Design.