Financial Aid Counselor

Position Announcement

Position Details

Proposed Start Date

11 / 03 / 2025

Classification Title

Advising and Student Services

Rank

N - No Rank

Working Title

Financial Aid Counselor

Department

331241 - FAO Financial Aid

Position Number

D94601

Representation

AU - AAUP

Renewable

Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

1.0

Tenure Status

F - Fixed Term

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU / School / Dept

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action - in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 27,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life , from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

Position Summary

Financial Aid Counselors conduct needs analysis of student aid applications; review IRS tax documents if necessary for federal verification; determine aid eligibility and package awards within federal, state and institutional guidelines. They are responsible for counseling students on financial aid policies and procedures.

Financial Aid Counselors evaluate unusual and mitigating circumstances and documentation provided by the student and must exercise independent judgment in making adjustments to a student's record.

Financial Aid Counselors must maintain a current knowledge of federal, state and institutional requirements regarding student financial aid.

Financial Aid Counselors participate in outreach efforts, as well as annual planning and committee work within the office.

Each Financial Aid Counselor, in addition to a student file caseload, is assigned one or more programmatic responsibilities such as grant administration, loan administration, R2T4 processing, etc., and will serve as liaison to campus partners for programmatic related processing and inquiries.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA / BS degree from an accredited college or university with 1+ years of related experience.
• Thorough and current knowledge of federal student aid administration required.
• Up-to-date knowledge of federal aid regulations and guidelines.
• Strong communication skills required to provide concise and high-quality counseling to students in-person, over the phone and via email.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to self-direct and manage dynamic re-prioritization of tasks to best serve student needs.
• Ability to work comfortably in a highly computerized environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability to new / changing circumstances.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail despite high volume of interruptions.
• Many hours required working on a computer (i.e. keyboarding and looking at a computer monitor).
• Cannot be in default on a federal student loan or in "owes repayment of a federal grant" status. This is required so they can receive and maintain access to Dept of Education resource sites such as NSLDS, CPS and COD.

Preferred Qualifications

Key Cultural Competencies

Environmental Stewardship

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days / Hours

Monday - Friday 8 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

The starting annual salary for this position will be $54,072 but may be negotiated above this range dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

Application Instructions

Additional Information

Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)

Please include the names, email addresses and phone numbers for 3 professional references.

Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?

No

Background Check Required

Yes

Position End Date (if applicable)

If you have questions

Search Details

Posting Close Date

Projected Close Date for Posting

Open Until Finalists Identified

Application screening begins

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