Financial Aid Counselor II - University of Rochester

GENERAL PURPOSE: Works with faculty, students, parents and administrative staff in an academic setting to support activities and events related to the Financial Aid Office. Is knowledgeable with regards to federal and institutional financial aid programs, regulations, policies and application procedures. Is responsible for managing all outward facing productions - i.e. handbooks, manuals, applications, award notices, website content and other Financial Aid materials. Also responsible for managing the annual Financial Aid Application process, counseling applicants on their application requirements, and their eligibility. This position necessitates good judgment, strong customer relation skills, attention to detail, excellent organization skills, an ability to multi-task, and an ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety and large number of people, and the ability to manage their workflow with limited direction. The Financial Aid Advisor manages complex, large volumes of work, and adjusts to regularly-changing work flows and implements changes to processes as needed in response to changing federal, state and institutional regulations and policies. **RESPONSIBILITIES:** **Financial Aid Applications** + Manage all aspects of the annual financial aid application process + Creates, updates, manages and implements required changes to the tracking database for each financial aid award year independently from other financial aid award years + Reviews, updates, and publishes all financial aid application materials and instructions for Medical, Graduate and Dental students + Counsels medical, graduate, and dental students in regards to institutional and federal financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and application procedures + Maintains current knowledge of all application materials, documents, eligibility requirements for both federal and institutional financial aid programs + Collects and enters applicant materials into PowerFAIDS and student files + Engages in pro-active efforts to assist students in the completion of their applications + Screens applications to ensure criteria to package are met and sends to Director and Assistant Director for financial aid packaging + Maintains accurate and complete applicant files for each applicant/student + Collaborates with IT to ensure that electronic files and file transfers meet all institutional, federal and state data security standards, making updates as appropriate. + Independently responds to email and phone inquiries from applicants regarding their status + Debriefs Director and Assistant Director at the end of each financial aid cycle, making recommendations for efficiencies for future financial aid cycles **Financial Aid Awards and Disbursements:** + Manages all aspects of the annual financial aid award notification and disbursement requirement process + Reviews and updates all financial aid award and disbursement instruction materials for Medical, Graduate and Dental students + Maintains current knowledge of all materials, documents, eligibility requirements for both federal and institutional financial aid programs for disbursement + Sends student specific financial aid award notifications, including appropriate attachments and instructions. Maintains confidentiality. + Collects and enters disbursement materials/requirements into PowerFAIDS and student files + Engages in pro-active efforts to assist students in the completion of their disbursement materials/requirements + Maintains accurate and complete student files for each student + Collaborates with IT to ensure that electronic files and file transfers meet all institutional, federal and state data security standards, making updates as appropriate. + Independently responds to email and phone inquiries from students regarding their disbursement status **Financial Aid Office Publications:** + Manages all aspects of public facing collateral pieces + Reviews, updates and edits the following Handbooks: Medical Student Financial Aid Handbook, Graduate Student Financial Aid Handbook, and Resident Debt Management Handbook + Maintains knowledge in regards to federal and institutional financial aid programs, regulations, policies and application procedures, updating publications as needed + Continually manages, updates and edits the Financial Aid Office web site as needed **Reports and Surveys:** + Manages all aspects of the annual Sibling Verification process, including reviewing, editing, and updating all communications, and implementing any changes. Actively engages with students to assist in the completion of this requirement, thinking outside the box to obtain acceptable documentation + Manages all aspect of the annual student living expenses budget evaluation, including reviewing, editing, and updating all communications. Researches and employs the latest survey technology to reach students, and collect responses. Analyzes the resulting data by student type, class year, budget category, etc. and make recommendations to the Director for possible changes in subsequent academic years. **Student Employment:** + Assists and supports the OMSIEP Office on the completion of 506 Forms for Summer and Year-Out Research Fellowships + Assists and supports the OMSIEP Office as the Financial Aid Office liaison with both Payroll and HRMS in all matters regarding student employment compensation and support for Summer and Year-Out Research Fellowships Tracks and reviews the Federal Work-Study and institutional work-study budgets monthly, working with the OMSIEP Office, Payroll and HRMS to make any updates/corrections as needed **Financial Aid Director** + Maintains calendar and meeting schedule of the Financial Aid Director + Maintains the financial aid email mailbox, and incoming mailbox. Other duties as assigned **QUALIFICATIONS:** + College graduation required. + 1 year of relevant administrative experience required. + Or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. + Proficient in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, MS Excel, and Windows 7, and Adobe Acrobat preferred. + Proficient in navigating through internet. Must possess the ability to easily learn and use new technological platforms as the program needs dictate required. + Knowledge of PowerFAIDS, and Kentico preferred. + Responsible, self-directed, and customer service-oriented, with strong organizational skills and great capability to triage operations-related situations required **.** + Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality required. + Capable of drafting communications that are grammatically correct, properly proofread, and effective, as well as professional and welcoming in tone required. + Strong oral and written communication skills and a high degree of interpersonal communication skills. Capable of maintaining a professional, welcoming approach, geared to building positive, productive work relationships required. + Ability to respectfully and productively interact with individuals across the organization to include those in varying levels of leadership reqiured. + Ability to work both independently and as part of a team required. The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations. **How To Apply** All applicants must apply online. _EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled_ **Pay Range** Pay Range: $20.38 - $28.56 Hourly _The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations._ **Location:** School of Medicine & Dentistry **Full/Part Time:** Full-Time **Opening:** Full Time 40 hours Grade 052 Offices for Medical Education **Schedule:** 8 AM-4:30 PM; OCC WKNDS