Financial Aid Counselor

Department
 

ESA College Aid 3

About the Department
 

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President, the Financial Aid office at the University of Chicago provides exceptional customer service to all students and families requesting assistance in financing their education. The Office of Financial Aid has a staff of 22 people, including counselors, and assistant directors. For more information visit https://financialaid.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary
 

The Financial Aid Counselor reports directly to management within the Office of Financial Aid and performs an integral role in providing superior customer service to all internal and external stakeholders. The counselor role conducts evaluations to assess the availability of financial aid for undergraduate students and families.

Responsibilities

• Counsels students and families; performs need analysis; completes the verification process on selected files; reviews appeals; and packages awards by assigning different types of financial aid to meet demonstrated need.
• Coordinates timely responses to all email and telephone contacts from students.
• Ensures disbursement of financial aid throughout the academic year.
• Creates and maintains institutional financial aid policies and procedures as assigned.
• Ensures accurate disbursement of aid throughout the academic year.
• Represents the Office of Financial Aid at various on and off-campus events as needed, including occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Provides presentations on various topics related to financial aid to students and families.
• Analyzes the maximum aid needed to students yet remain within government guidelines and overall budget limitations for aid distribution.
• Communicates financial aid policies and programs to currently enrolled students with moderate/high levels of guidance.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Two years of experience with providing customer service in an office setting.
• Background in higher education or financial aid.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of Oracle Campus Solutions.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding eligibility for government funded assistance.

Preferred Competencies

• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Provide superior customer service to a wide variety of constituents in a fast-paced environment.
• Handle several projects simultaneously and to work well under pressure.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain confidentiality and provide superior customer service to our students.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Handle several tasks simultaneously and to work well under pressure.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule. Weekly in-office presence is required on UChicago’s main campus in Hyde Park.
• Work independently for periods of 8 hours or more.
• May be asked to work 1-2 weekends per year.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veter