Sr Financial Aid Counselor - Academic Support Services

Location: Chicago, IL

Hospital: RUSH University Medical Center

Department: Student Financial Aid

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Summary:
The Senior Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for professional support in assisting with overseeing the daily operations of the Office of Student Financial Aid. This role is also responsible for creating training documents and training new staff and the ongoing professional development of the Financial Aid counseling team. Other major duties include assisting with monitoring satisfactory academic progress as well as administration of veteran s benefits.. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.
The Office of Student Financial Aid supports four colleges; Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and The Graduate College with a total enrollment of approximately 2,300 students. Rush students represent a variety of disciplines focused on healthcare and the basic biomedical sciences. Rush offers degree and certificate programs at the Bachelor s, Master s and Doctoral levels, with instruction being delivered on-campus and through distance learning.

Responsibilities:
Creates and with training to include updates to office policies and procedures, federal regulations, Financial Aid packaging, and other administrative duties.
Responsible staying current on federal and state regulations and implementing policies and procedures that reflect institutional or regulatory changes.
Develops workflows, business processes, and new initiatives.
Monitors satisfactory academic progress on a term-by-term basis, including preparing reports, analyzing SAP status, and notifying students of Financial Aid warnings and suspensions.
Completes the certification of veteran s benefits.
Certifies, processes, and imports all alternative loan funding via Electronic Loan Management system (ELM) and the university s student information system.
Provides Financial Aid counseling to students including answering office email, phone, meeting with walk-ins, and processing requests from students for Financial Aid adjustments.
Monitors office email account to ensure that emails are being responded to in a timely fashion.
Assists with delivering Financial Aid presentations based on the team s current schedule of presentations including but not limited to open houses, exit counseling presentations, new student orientation, etc. Assists with monitoring packaging progress and helping to ensure office meets its packaging goals and deadlines.
Imports Financial Aid application materials, including ISIRs and institutional applications.
Reviews pushed ISIRs and resolves all conflicting information.
Prepares weekly packaging lists for team.
Complete packaging training for staff, including annual review of packaging procedures and regulatory changes that impact packaging.
Prepares the annual set up procedures in support of packaging procedures each year. This may include updating rules, reviewing system communications, updating procedures, and providing input for improvements.
Reviews Financial Aid application materials, including the FAFSA, institutional aid application, parent information, tax documentation, and any other required application information.
Corresponds with students to request additional documentation and reconcile conflicting information pursuant to the federal guidelines.
Calculates Financial Aid eligibility using federal and institutional formula.
Prepares Financial Aid packages and cost of attendance budgets for students enrolled in all academic programs by established due dates.
Other duties as assigned.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
Bachelor s degree
3 years Financial Aid experience.
Working knowledge of Title IV rules and regulations.
Proficient with computer applications and programs (Excel, Word, CPS, COD, NSLDS and ELM).
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgement, technology, time management and presentation skills.
Strong written communication skills.
Superior customer service skills to connect with students (incoming and current), and other colleagues/peers across campus
Demonstrated ability to assist with training Financial Aid staff and provide leadership in reaching departmental goals.
Strong commitment to professional development and keeping current on Financial Aid best practices.
Values and exhibits strong commitment to Rush ICARE values.
Experience with resolving conflict and barriers in a strategic and diplomatic manner.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
Master s degree.
Experience with graduate/professional school setting.
Working knowledge of Title IV rules and regulations.
Ellucian Colleague experience.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.