Student Financial Services Operations And Counselor

About Alvernia University Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education. Job Summary:Reporting to the Senior Director, the SFS Operations & Counselor is a highly motivated professional who is responsible for maintaining knowledge base and of federal, state, university and institutional student aid funding as well as regulations and procedures. This individual must possess the ability to work well with students, faculty, and staff at all levels within a diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment. This individual must possess excellent attention to detail, a process-improvement focus, good training, analytical and documentation skills, as well as the ability to provide systems and operational support to the SFS Office to assist with system oversite, including data integration, creating, and maintaining scheduled events in PowerFaids such as anticipated aid, aid disbursement. In addition, this individual will work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Student Financial Services and other staff members to counsel students and parents regarding financial aid awarding/packaging, verification, need analysis, and financial aid/financing options to assist with educational costs as well as evaluate and first year and returning Student Financial aid eligibility. This individual is also a liaison between the SFS Office and other departments on campus, including Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate and Adult Education, as well as Student Activities and Residence Life as necessary. Organizational skills as well as a demonstrated ability to protect confidential records and communications are a must, along with strong computer and software skills and some evening, weekend and travel will be required.Essential Functions:

Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University Ideal Characteristics. As we are an equal opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the performance of their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountabilityMaintain strict confidentiality of all activities in the Office of Student Financial ServicesProvide excellent customer service and support to the Office of Student Financial ServicesAssure consistent application of office policy & procedureRespond to questions, requests for financial aid, student account, and Registrar information in person, by phone & emailFinancial Aid Counseling of prospective and current students/families regarding financial aid optionsResponsible for responding to routine financial aid, student account, and academic questions and concernsAssist with monitoring financial aid/student balance hold list each semesterRepresent the University on and off campus at recruitment events, financial aid information sessions, open house events, accepted student’s day, connection day, etcParticipate in professional development opportunities and professional organizations on the regional, state, and national levels including: PHEAA, PASFAA, NASFAA, PowerFaids, etcPosition requires some work nights, weekend, extended work hours, and travel to off-site locations

Additional Responsibilities:1. Operations functions

Assist Associate Director with importing and exporting of all financial aid files through EDconnect to the Department of Education, including student ISIRs and corrections, COD origination and disbursement files, as well as responsible for managing and correcting reject filesOversees the Federal Aid Programs in relation aggregate limit reviews, Pell LEU and UEH reviews and student notificationAssist Associate and Senior Director with creating and maintaining custom reports, standard reports, selection sets, and other technical aspects of PowerFaids to help streamline processes within the SFS OfficeAssist Associate Director with federal aid reconciliation both monthly and annually to ensure compliance with federal/state regulations and procedures.Assist with system oversite, including data integration, creating and maintaining scheduled events in PowerFaids such as anticipated aid, aid disbursementResponsible for approval student employment program eligibility and works closely with Human Resources with hiring of student worker and graduate assistants, and completion of student employment paperworkAssists HR and Business Office in maximizing student employment budget, including federal, institutional and PA State Work Study funding, maximizing the awarding of federal/state work study fundingMaintains student employment data on the PowerFaids & annual reporting CODAssists the Associate and Sr. Director with completion of annual reports and surveys including AICUP, Common Data Set, IPEDs, US News & World Report, and other internal reports as needed

2. Counseling functions

Provide a high level of financial aid counseling including incorporation of Best Practices in SFS Counseling and providing holistic financial aid planning students’ full college experience for traditional day and grad and adult undergraduate student populationsUse an integrated approach for student aid issues including working closely with staff from Student Services offices including Student Accounts, Registrar, Navigation, S.O.L.A.R, Residence Life, Admissions, GAE, and Holleran CenterRespond to all student inquiries from walk-ins, emails, phone, or Teams within a 24–48-hour time frameCommunication follow up from SFS team members such as missing documents, verification, and processing issues

3. Other duties as assignedQualifications/Education:

Commitment to the mission statement, core values and goals of Alvernia UniversityMust provide exceptional customer service, specifically related to the mission of the universityBachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferredTwo or more years of progressive financial aid experience requiredThorough knowledge of federal and state regulations related awarding and processing aidExperience with PowerFaids, Power Campus, Slate, NSLDS, COD, and EdConnect preferredDemonstrate strong interpersonal and customer service skills across varied audiences such as students, families, staff, faculty, alumni, and the communityAbility to manage multiple projects with time-sensitive deadlines, working as part of a team as well as independently with little supervision and additional hours as neededAbility to diffuse difficult or emotional situations with students and/or familiesExcellent written and verbal communication skillsKnowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and SharePointAbility to work some evenings and weekends and travel to other campuses as needed

Physical Requirements:

Attendance is required in order to perform the duties of this job.Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.