Financial Aid Counselor

aid process, ensuring access to education through effective financial planning. Your responsibilities will include evaluating financial aid applications, counseling students on available aid programs, and providing information about funding options. This position requires a keen understanding of financial aid regulations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to promoting accessibility to education. We believe work should fit your life, not the other way around. Our hybrid schedule includes two days on site in our Albany office, with the flexibility to work remotely the remaining days. Spend less time commuting and more time focusing on meaningful work or personal priorities. Core hours are 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, including a 1-hour lunch, for a 37.5-hour week. Duties and Responsibilities: Financial Aid Advising: Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility criteria, and application procedures over the phone, email, text, and in virtual meetings. Assist students in understanding different types of financial aid programs and amounts of funding available, including grants, scholarships, loans, etc. Application Processing: Evaluate financial aid applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines. Collaborate with other depts to obtain necessary documentation and information for financial aid assessments. Review financial aid packages based on students eligibility and financial need. Communicate award information clearly to students, addressing any inquiries and providing additional guidance as needed. Conduct workshops and informational sessions to educate students and parents about the financial aid process, application deadlines, and available resources. Stay current on federal and state financial aid regulations, ensuring adherence to compliance requirements in all aspects of financial aid administration. Attend trainings and conferences to enhance professional development. Maintain accurate and confidential student records related to financial aid applications, awards, and communications. Provide excellent student service by promptly responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and guiding students through the financial aid process. Collaborate with other departments, such as admissions and academic advising, to ensure a coordinated approach in supporting students financial needs. Other duties as assigned to support the unit or institution. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Associate degree in a relevant field (e.g., finance, business, education). Previous experience in financial aid administration or related field preferred. Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to interpret and explain complex financial information to diverse audiences. Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills. Experience in PowerFAIDS preferred. The hiring salary range for this position is $40,875- 42,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting. Application Information Applicants must reside in the United States and be authorized to work in the U.S. If you experience any issues with the online submission process, please email recruitment@excelsior.edu . Excelsior University offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package that includes paid time off, retirement, and excellent health insurance. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume, and the names of three professional references. Please submit requested information by clicking the Apply Now button on this page. Excelsior University is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected characteristic. AA/EOE/ADA Organization Founded as Regents College in 1971 and chartered as a private, nonprofit institution in 1998, the College was renamed Excelsior College in 2001. Excelsior means “ever upward” in Latin, and it reflects the aspirations of our students and graduates. Excelsior College is an accredited, recognized leader in removing obstacles to the educational goals of the adult learner. We provide efficient and affordable access to higher education through multiple avenues to degree completion. An Adult Learner Focus Excelsior College revolutionized adult higher education by recognizing learning wherever and whenever it occurs. A leader in online and distance learning, Excelsior College awards degrees at the associate and bachelor’s levels in liberal arts, nursing, business, technology, and health sciences, and at the master's level in liberal studies, nursing, and business. Certificate programs are also offered by the Schools of Business & Technology, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Nursing. Customized Flexibility Makes the Difference Students have educational paths that are as unique and diverse as they are. Detours and rest stops are a fact of life. Our committed, national faculty members, and caring, professional staff help working adults overcome barriers to achieving personal, professional, and academic success. As a proven leader in the assessment and validation of student knowledge through the application of a rigorous yet flexible and individualized approach, we work with each student to discover how best to avoid back-tracking on their road to success. Our Mission Excelsior College provides educational opportunity to adult learners with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in higher education. The College meets students where they are - academically and geographically, offering quality instruction and the assessment of learning. A Pioneer in Distance Learning We offer busy students around the world the advantage of both earning credit at a distance and applying previously-earned college-level credit toward degree or certificate programs.