GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

The financial aid counselor provides information and direction to prospective and current students, parents, and alumni on resources of financial aid, application procedures, aid eligibility, and assists the Assistant Director of Financial Aid  and other Financial Aid counselors and coordinators in collateral duties as assigned and works under the guidance of Director of Financial Aid.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION

The financial aid counselor reports to the Director of Financial Aid.  This position requires knowledge of technical federal, state, and campus-based financial aid regulations, close attention to detail, especially regarding financial data, thorough knowledge of computer information systems used in the financial aid process, and ability to maintain confidentiality of all related student record information.  D'Youville College is committed to fostering professional development.  Financial aid counselors are afforded the opportunity to participate in the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA), Financial Aid Novice Training, as well as membership to NYSFAAA and National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Counseling of prospective and currently enrolled students and families, as well as direct handling of major correspondence that requires response.
• Ability to counsel students as to satisfactory academic progress for Title IV, state aid and scholarship requirements.
• Participate in training sessions and professional activities.
• Assist in recruitment efforts and high school programs.
• Review and processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Verification and Professional Judgement cases, and documentation of all activity in students’ files.
• Collection of required documentation, including aid application, award letters, promissory notes, documentation of independence, and federal tax returns.
• Assist with award reconciliation of fund expenditures with Student Accounts Office.
• Participates in workshops and presentations to both campus and off campus communities on financial aid programs and application procedures which may take place on weekends or evenings.
• Packaging awards for prospective and currently enrolled students within federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Assists in the updating of the policy and procedures manual.
• Assists in the processing of need estimates and recalculations of student aid eligibility.
• Assists with other miscellaneous tasks, both professional and clerical, as needed, to become trained in all general aspects of the office operation.
• Administrative responsibility for assigned programs or as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid (federal grants, New York State Aid for Part Time Study, Federal Direct Loans, Nursing Student Loans, alternative loans, reconciliations, Federal Work Study, satisfactory academic progress).
• Oversee, manage and process specific groups of students that require individualized packaging.
• Other tasks assigned by Director of Financial Aid.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to counsel effectively.
• Ability to express oneself clearly orally and written.
• Sound professional judgment, patience, tact, sensitivity, and courtesy.
• Ability to organize work efficiently with others.
• Thorough knowledge of financial aid procedures and techniques.
• Ability to work effectively with governmental and private agencies.
• High degree of initiative, dependability, and professionalism.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• A strong commitment to the college’s mission to honor the catholic heritage and the spirit of St. Marguerite D’Youville by fostering an environment that promotes academic, social, spiritual, and professional development in programs that promote leadership and service.
• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred).
• Minimum three years experience in higher education (financial aid at least one year) preferred.
• Experience with student advising, mentoring and outreach.
• Experience working with low-income, first generation and underrepresented students.
• Knowledge of student recruitment, orientation, retention and success.

About the Institution

D’Youville is a highly regarded private university and research institution with a rich history located on the vibrant West Side of Buffalo adjacent to a growing downtown with year-round cultural events and outdoor recreation. While preparing students for the 21st-century, D’Youville excels at helping students reach their career goals as change agents, doing well for themselves and their communities by doing good. Under the leadership of President Lorrie Clemo, the university is moving boldly forward through a dynamic and integrated planning process to strengthen the institution and positively impact the student experience and surrounding community.

Founded in 1908, the Grey Nuns named the college after the Patron Saint Marguerite D’Youville and committed to making it a compassionate place of learning for those from underrepresented populations. That commitment and tradition continue today. D’Youville was the first college in Western New York to offer baccalaureate degree programs for women. With a long Catholic history, D’Youville welcomes students of every culture, background, and faith and is a place where different faith traditions can be openly shared and respected. Coeducational since 1971, D’Youville strives to expand opportunities for diverse learners, including adults, first-generation, low-income, and other students historically underrepresented in higher education.

Today, D’Youville features an urban, growing campus community of 3,000 students and offers more than 50 majors in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies including advanced certificates and accelerated learning programs. Featuring degrees in healthcare, business, and the liberal arts, D’Youville encourages students to balance their learning with activities that integrate community service with coursework. D’Youville’s proud graduates have the academic strengths necessary for careers that make a difference and the skills to be leaders for the world. To learn more about D’Youville, please visit HTTP://WWW.DYC.EDU/