Financial Aid Counselor

STATUS: Full time
DIVISION: Enrollment Services – Financial Aid
REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Financial Aid Counselor plays a vital role in supporting the mission of College for Creative Studies by helping students navigate the financial aid process in a creative, student-centered environment. This position provides individual counseling to students and families, administers federal, state, and institutional aid, and oversees key programs including Work-Study and endowed scholarships. The Counselor ensures compliance with applicable regulations while supporting access to education.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Advise current and prospective students and families on financial aid application procedures, eligibility requirements, award status, and financial planning options
• Review and process financial aid applications, verify information, and determine eligibility in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations
• Evaluates professional judgement, dependency override, and financial aid adjustment documentation provided by the student
• Package financial aid awards using federal, state, and institutional guidelines, maintaining compliance
• Coordinator for the Federal/Institutional work-study program – main contact for students, supervisors and Human Resources office; ensuring funds are being fully utilized, updating SIS with work-study earning amounts, reconciliation of FWS program
• Coordinator for the Endowed/Restricted Scholarships – manage the awarding, reconciling and coordination of the scholarships in conjunction with Institutional Advancement and Academic Departments; maintain accurate records for internal reporting and donor stewardship; assist with donor reports and solicitation of thank-you letters
• Serve as a back up for Private educational loans; certifying, awarding, reconciling
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies with assigned areas through review of program handbooks and participation in workshop and training sessions
• Represent the College and Financial Aid Office at various college and financial aid events – including some evening and weekend hours
• Collaborate with other departments such as Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts to support enrollment and retention goals
• Perform additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2+ years of experience in financial aid, higher education, or student services
• Familiarity with federal and state financial aid programs and regulations
• Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including a strong sensitivity to diverse student populations
• Self-motivated and able to work well independently and as part of a team
• Exceptional organizational, time management and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Colleague/Ellucian software system
• Knowledge of Work-Study regulations and scholarship administration
• Experience with various federal processing systems (COD, NSLDS, ELM, FPS, etc.).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually.  Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required.  The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places.  The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required.  CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT CCS

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value what this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. We encourage applications from all.

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:

Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to: [email protected]