Senior Financial Aid Counselor – Division of Finance

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Financial Aid Counselor – Division of Finance

Job Profile Title

Financial Aid Counselor Senior

Job Description Summary

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor assists in the administration of federal, state and institutional student aid programs for a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students. The position will process, award financial aid in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations as well as counsel both currently enrolled and new students regarding financial aid awards and processes. The position will analyze data, make judgments, and act independently while reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid.
This position facilitates and supports student-centered initiatives, provide leadership and counseling and/or guidance to students, families, and the University community. The counselor will evaluate financial aid applications and determine amount/configuration of aid packages for students ensuring the University is in compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies governing financial aid. Consult with various University offices (Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Advising, etc.) and external agencies (lenders and guarantee agencies) to resolve related processing and certification and payment issues.
In the Division of Finance, we recognize diversity and inclusion is paramount to a positive and thriving work environment; it is a business imperative. We are committed to actively fostering diversity, inclusion and cultural competency throughout our operational efforts in the Division of Finance. This role will be critical in supporting those efforts and demonstrating behaviors and competencies that reflect Penn’s values.
We take pride in the myriad ways that diversity enriches our curriculum, and the cultural and social life of our campus. Penn’s commitment to achieving eminence through diversity is ultimately a commitment to creating a more vibrant university so that our graduates will be both stimulated and empowered to shape a better world.

Job Description

• Counsel students, parents and outside groups in financial aid program eligibility, online applications and loan processing. Provide financial aid counseling to student and parents regarding application procedures and eligibility requirements.

• Counsel students and aid recipients regarding cost of attendance, management of available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the application process. Provide assistance to students with loans, grants, scholarships and the financial aid application process, and reviews applications to assure accurate and complete information.

• Monitor satisfactory academic progress of students receiving financial aid. Process student aid application and package awards.Verify and assesses student eligibility for financial aid. Conduct assessment of student needs including monitoring and evaluation the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.

• Demonstrate a firm understanding in government and private resources for funding a college education. Interpret, implement, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of Federal and State guidelines governing financial aid programs. Deliver exemplary customer service to prospective and continuing students and families in planning and coordinating the funding of their education.

• Communicate appropriate information to other departments. Comply with current regulations of all federal, state, private and university programs. Manage a predefined case load of financial aid applicants and recipients.

• Advise and counsel students/families on the availability and types of financial aid, eligibility, application procedures, the aid delivery process, cost and the requirements necessary to insure that financial aid funds are transferred to student accounts.

• Provide excellent customer service. Answers financial aid questions, inquiries or requests from students, parents, or guardians in person or in writing. Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstances documentation or appeal information provided by the student and or parent; exercises professional judgment by making adjustment or revisions to cost, contributions, need or dependency status as exceptions to documented process/policies.

• Uses various systems in the Office of Financial Aid to record, track and analyze student questions, and engagements. Analyze various system generated reports to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal, state and institutional guidelines; notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend situation.

• Prepares and presents financial aid and budgetary workshops to all students. Serves as the primary contact with students and prospective students and participates in university recruitment and retention activities. Responsibility for providing information sessions for students, parents and families in support of various outreach efforts and will need to effectively communicate and counsel individual students or groups of students and their families.

• Serves as the subject matter expert to team/staff including day to day support and assistance with issues related to financial aid that are escalated and/or cannot be resolved. Ensures problems are resolved in an efficient and effective manner, works collaboratively and effectively with team/staff to meet customer expectations in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

• Prepare and review financial awards and complete revisions and adjustments to awards within established parameters and in accordance with federal legislation, state statutes, and institutional guidelines. Review and approve computer-generated financial aid awards.

• Electronically and manually process loans for awarded students. Perform financial aid functions including verification, reviews, and aggregate loan breakdowns of selected student financial aid applications, as required by the United States Department of Education. Prepare reports as requested by the financial aid senior management. Participate in professional student financial assistance associations.

• Acts as liaison with various internal departments as appropriate.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree and 2 – 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Financial aid counseling experience and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of federal regulations for administering student financial aid programs, financial aid need analysis, and processes.

• Experience in managing both federal and institutional methodology is a plus. Have considerable experience working with specific financial aid programs and a good working knowledge of FERPA rules and regulations and ability to ensure compliance.

• Familiarity with Banner Student Information System, needs analysis, and federal/state financial aid programs. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies and procedures.

• Familiarity with automated financial aid systems. Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), Banner, ImageNow imaging system. Ability to work well with a diverse community and groups with different levels of technical ability.

• Multi-lingual skills are a plus. The ability to develop and maintain effective professional working relationships with individuals at all organization levels on campus is critical, along with the ability to work independently and with a team of colleagues.

• Excellent office management skills, including computer literacy. Ability to work as a member of a team, meet deadlines, and work in a culturally diverse environment. Knowledge of federal Title IV and state financial aid programs and regulations. Good organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to use good judgment and make sound decisions. Understand the University environment and have the ability to effectively communicate knowledge. Ability to work in a Microsoft Window-based environment using various software packages (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

Please provide a cover letter with your resume submission.

Job Location – City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Division of Finance

Pay Range

$43,919.00 – $59,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. 

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay