Student Financial Counselor

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Join our team of student-focused individuals working together in order to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth, leadership and service.

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Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Student Financial Center, the Student Financial Counselor will assist in providing financial guidance in the areas of financial aid and student accounts with an emphasis on Title IV, state, institutional and private funds made available to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and employment. This individual must be a dynamic, highly skilled student financial professional. The successful candidate will provide support to students, parents and prospective students to meet University enrollment and customer service goals. The Student Financial Counselor will deliver high quality, compassionate service to the student population while maintaining consistency with the University mission, accreditation standards and applicable regulatory guidelines.

Essential Job Functions:

• Counsels students regarding cost of attendance, methods of payment and management of financial responsibilities. This includes providing an explanation of financial aid available, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the difference between private and federal loans, the CDR and explaining students can refuse all or borrow less than the maximum allowed

• Assist students, prospective students and families with financial aid and student account questions in person, over the phone, through email and other approved means of communication.

• Assume full responsibility for managing a cashbox to process financial transactions for students and other University constituents

• Cash management responsibilities include providing receipts, processing credit card payments, entering transactions into software system, batching payments and reconciling the cashbox at close of business.

• Facilitate outbound communication via telephone, email and text to ensure students are appropriately informed of account information, clarify delinquent balances, explain financial obligations and payment terms

• Greet people that enter our office in a prompt and friendly manner

• Answer phone calls and respond to emails in a professional and tactful manner

• Prepare outgoing mail and sort incoming mail

• Participate in a highly collaborative student-focused environment to deliver exceptional service to students

• Assist with new student orientation including the ability to prepare, present and deliver presentations with financial information to prospective students and parents

• Willingness to attend conferences, seminars and training to expand knowledge and best practices

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of financial aid, student accounts and the billing processes

• May be assigned other duties at the discretion of the Assistant Director of Student Financial Center

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Self-starter with positive outlook and an interest in the success of the Student Financial Center

• Possess good decision-making skills and the ability to assist a student community of diverse perspectives and cultures

• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills

• Must have exceptional follow-up, follow-through and attention to detail

• Respond to large volume of phone, email and in-person inquires in a timely manner; in addition, participate in phone call campaigns

• Ability to handle confidential information, exercise sound judgment and recognize the confidential nature of student information (FERPA)

• Results oriented with ability to manage multiple projects or tasks

• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to solve problems and communicate concisely while focusing on the needs of the student

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Associates Degree or equivalent experience required, B.A. or B.S. preferred

• Prior accounting experience or coursework; ability to work with numbers and perform basic calculation-related tasks with problem solving and analytical expertise

• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint with a willingness to learn University software products

• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills including the ability to successfully priority and manage multiple tasks

Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a

"life-more-abundant."