Financial Counselor

Employer: Virginia Commonwealth University

Location: Richmond, Virginia, United States

Salary: Competitive Salary

Date posted: Nov 11, 2025

Position Type: Administrative, Business & Administrative Affairs, Financial Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Counseling, Financial Aid

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Details

Unit: Office of Strategic Enrollment Management

Department: Student Financial Services

Department Summary: The primary purpose of the Financial Counselor is to support a seamless, holistic approach, in partnership with academic advisors, to guide and counsel students and parents on academic success plans including options to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options with persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors play an active role in creating a culture of care as a part of the student’s success team by fostering meaningful relationships with students and campus partners to enhance the students’ successful university experience. The VCU Student Financial Management Center will be filling 7 Financial Counselor positions.

Training will be provided to new employees, so knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and policies and procedures at the University is not required, but can certainly benefit someone coming into this role. The ability to understand and apply policies and procedures with a passion for supporting students will lead to success in this role.

Core Responsibilities:

Financial Counseling (25%): Advise and counsel students and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, policies, and procedures at the university.

• Assist students utilizing a holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability, costs of education, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options.
• Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment, walk-in basis, over the phone, and other communication platforms.
• Provide information about all student financial aid programs and program characteristics such as type of aid, funding source, amounts, interest rates, repayment requirements, application procedures and individual student eligibility requirements such as academic, financial, citizenship, enrollment, etc.
• Discuss confidential financial data and other family circumstances with students and others. Advise about impact and eligibility to participate in various aid programs.
• Exercise “professional judgment” in individual student situations. Professional judgement delineates that the financial counselor determines, after reviewing the student’s situation, that the student does not fall into the standard categories outlined in program regulation and that the student should be an “exception to the rule.”
• Partner with academic advisors to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.
• As part of the position’s counseling activities, may contact other university offices to seek advice for the student or serve as an advocate for the student. The position also may contact private lenders, guarantee agencies, state and federal agencies, and the US Department of Education for information or as an advocate for the student.

Program Knowledge (25%): Thoroughly understand and clearly communicate federal, state, and institutional financial aid and student accounting programs, policies, and procedures.

• Utilize Banner student system to navigate through the student’s record to find necessary information to assist the student, complete appropriate processes, tracking and notations.
• This position must be knowledgeable of important dates and deadlines each semester to ensure correct information is given.

Financial Aid Outreach and Literacy (25%): Supports and coordinates outreach for programs within the University such as orientation, open houses, workshops and other various outreach requests that include both on and off campus events. This may include some daily or overnight travel.

• Presents financial aid and cost of education information to parent and student groups on and off campus.
• Assists with other projects in the office, Student Financial Services unit, or the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management during peak periods and as assigned.
• Supports planning for module/section(s) of UNIV first time freshman students.
• May represent the Student Financial Services unit at various University functions.
• Promotes the values and mission of VCU to all constituents positively and professionally.

Information and Records Administration (25%): Review applicable documents that pertain to a student’s financial aid application and review for completeness and compare it with information already contained on the student's financial aid Banner record.

• Understand the Federal and State regulations surrounding Financial Aid to determine if additional information is needed or if the file is complete to determine the award package based on these guidelines.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of training, education or experience.
• Experience in student financial services, customer service, or another relevant field.
• Quantitative and analytical skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to project a positive image of the University and the office at all times.
• Ability to explain complex concepts in clear and concise language.
• Ability to support and attend UNIV courses related to financial aid literacy.
• Be a self-starter with a strong work ethic and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and sensitivity.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Counseling, Student Services, Social Work, or related field or a combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities.
• Experience in school or college counseling, financial aid activities, or related field.
• Bilingual ability specifically with Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese.

Other Position Details:

• This position may require some evening and weekend hours as well as light travel.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Salary Range: Up to $45,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Student Advisor SS 1

Posting Closes: November 23rd at 11:55PM