Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor must provide quality customer service to prospective, and continuing students regarding financial aid eligibility, analyze federal financial aid applications to determine a student's financial need, prepare and award financial aid packages, and perform all duties related to the financial aid process. Counselors must interact in a professional manner with students and parents in challenging situations to help them resolve financial issues relating to financial aid eligibility and monetary awards.

Advise students and parents regarding financing an education at the University, including information about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, costs and financial management strategies including loans, financing options, and other financial-aid related matters. Manage heavy contact with students and families via email, phone, and in-person. Provide outstanding customer service, while demonstrating patience and understanding, to families and students who are seeking and receive financial aid. Work effectively in a diverse work environment with people from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures. Must be able to maintain confidentiality of private, personal information provided by students and their families. Responsible for the University Federal Verification Process Verification outreach and follow up to ensure compliance Conducts verification review for selected students according to federal regulations Utilize databases to gather student information and create and modify awards. Enter and maintain accurate data within computerized systems for tracking and awarding. Prepare and maintain a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files related to assigned activities. Serve as back up support for File loading and troubleshooting Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) Federal Direct Loan program Federal Pell Grant program NSLDS Master Promissory Note (MPN) & Entrance Counseling (EC) outreach and follow up Private loan processing Process Missing information / documentation letters New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) outreach follow up with students who have not completed the ETA, missing information, etc. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Notify students not meeting federal Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Counsel and advise students concerning SAP policies and appeal procedures Monitor the probation/suspension status and the 150%-time frame for students. Generate reports and/or queries from Peoplesoft, analyze and organize output and distribute to staff as needed. Participate in recruitment and retention functions (new student orientations, Admitted Student days, Open House, Move in Weekends, Last Look Weekend, etc.) which includes evenings and weekends. Perform other duties and projects as assigned