"Financial Aid Counselor (Pooled Position)"

Financial Aid Counselor (Pooled Position)

Benefits of Working at UNCW: Want to become a soaring UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach. Employees of UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at UNCW or any other university within the UNC System. In addition, UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one UNCW course each summer session. As a full time employee, UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service. We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our Dare to Learn Academy, and the employee assistance program, many of which are offered free of charge.

Recruitment Range: $43,940 - $48,823
Vacancy Number: S02780
Competency Level: Journey
Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus
Home Department: Financial Aid Admin - 30140

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
This position is assigned to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). UNCW operates at a student enrollment of about 18,000 and OSFA is expected to serve any of those students seeking financial aid assistance, any prospective students/families, as well as students who receive benefits that require coordination through the OSFA. The OSFA currently serves approximately 65% of the student body. This includes federal and financial assistance, Veterans educational benefits, all tuition waivers, all scholarships, all institutional aid and all non-institutional aid. Typical office contact is 18,000 calls and 3,500 visits.
The major functions of the department include:

• Management of funds exceeding $150 million
• Receiving and/or processing aid applications from approximately 25,000 students each year (this includes all admitted students- some do not matriculate)
• Monitoring records and procedures for compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and NCAA athletics rules
• Providing federal, state, and donor reports, and providing general financial aid advising and counseling to current and prospective students and their family
• Due to the national financial aid processing and delivery system, admission decision notification, and timing of orientation/billing, the heavier portions of the work are concentrated during March, April, June, July, and the first two weeks of each semester

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The Financial Aid Counselor administers all financial aid programs and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional rules, regulations, and requirements. This position will advise, counsel, and educate students, prospective students, and their respective family members as it relates to their financial eligibility.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor's degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Knowledge of the federal, state and institutional requirements concerning financial aid.
• Financial Aid experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience with crisis management.
• Ability to communicate well.
• Experience in Banner (or other ERP system), Image Now/Perceptive Content, and with Department of Education systems.

Required Certifications or Licensures: N/A

FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Months Per Year: 12 Months
Work Days: Monday - Friday, occasional weekends
Work Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, limited overtime
Type of Position: Permanent
Position Number: 8140
Job Posting Date: 02/17/2026
Posting Close Date: 3/3/2026
Number of Openings: Multi-Positions

Special Notes to Applicants:
PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the Work History' section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.
This position is being recruited at the Journey level. If no applicants apply who meet the required competency and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38611