Financial Aid Counselor

The Financial Aid Counselor supports the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs by processing applications, collecting documentation, and determining eligibility. This role involves advising students, coordinating outreach, ensuring compliance with regulations, and collaborating with campus departments to support recruitment, retention, and student success. The counselor also helps manage communications, maintains confidentiality, and contributes as a key member of the Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Management team. A flexible schedule is required to support evening and weekend activities related to recruitment and retention. This position is designated as hybrid. Following the completion of training, the Financial Aid Counselor may be eligible to work remotely 1-2 days per week, subject to operational needs and approval by the Director of Financial Aid. Fully remote work arrangements are not available for this position.

FLCC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strives to provide an environment that embodies these principles. We strive to attract talented personnel from diverse backgrounds and traditions, particularly of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, religion, worldview, and physical and mental abilities. As such, applicants from historically underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

1. ​​​​​​​Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
2. Experience: One year of financial aid experience preferred. Community College experience preferred. Certified Financial Aid Administrator Preferred.
3. Special Skills: Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to comprehend financial aid regulations, knowledge of automated systems, and a commitment to exceptional customer service.

Essential Functions

1. Organizes and participates in both on- and off-campus recruitment and retention activities, such as high school parent night programs, Admissions open houses and workshops, and other community activities.
2. Counsels prospective and current students and their families on the phone and in person.
3. Proactively reviews anticipated financial aid disbursements to student accounts. Analyzes refund reports to prevent inadvertent overpayments, which may cause an AR balance in the Student Accounts Office.
4. Assists the Director with the coordination of the SAP process, reviews SAP appeals, and creates academic plans in conjunction with the AACTS office.
5. Conducts financial aid workshops for new and returning students to help students complete and understand the financial aid process.
6. Assists the Director in maintaining the Ellucian Colleague system, including testing Ellucian Colleague rules, algorithms, and quality control mechanisms after upgrades and patching of existing systems, new integrations, and aid year rollover.
7. Coordinates alternative/private loan processing, including, but not limited to, certification, reviewing error reports, and reconciliation.
8. Completes verification by conducting a thorough review of student and parent tax forms to verify accuracy, identify and correct discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations.
9. Resolves Comment Codes and any errors and/or conflicting information on the FAFSA.
10. Plans and performs a variety of complex financial aid functions, including evaluating special circumstance and unusual circumstance appeals
11. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

Essential program-specific functions (assigned to counselors at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid and supported through cross-training and team collaboration)

1. Coordinates all aspects of a specific federal and/or state program (examples include Pell, federal loans, federal work study (FWS), veterans' benefits, NYS Aid):
2. Performs Return to Title IV Calculations (R2T4).

Benefits and salary range:

Applicants receiving benefits through the New York State Retirement System should review state regulations regarding post-retirement employment. This position is not eligible for employment under a Section 211 waiver.

1. Competitive starting salary in the range of $54,388 - $65,000, and is commensurate with qualifications
2. NYS retirement or Optional SUNY Retirement Program
3. SUNY Voluntary Savings Plan
4. Comprehensive Health and Dental Insurance through Excellus BCBS
5. FSA
6. 21 days of annual leave, 12 sick days, and 13.5 holidays annually
7. FLCC Tuition Waiver for employee and dependents
8. Tuition assistance – 4-year institutions

Application Instructions:

Applicants interested in applying MUST submit the following documents via online:

1. Resume/Cv
2. Cover letter

Applications will only be accepted online.

Flexible Work Program:

Finger Lakes Community College offers a Flexible Work Program that allows for hybrid work arrangements, subject to the needs of the department and at the discretion of the supervisor. This program is reviewed and renewed annually by the College.

Finger Lakes Community College does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or any other category protected by law. The College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.