Financial Aid Counselor

 

Financial Aid Counselor

Reports to:

Director of Financial Aid

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Financial Aid Counselor

Reports to:

Director of Financial Aid

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Position Type:

12-month, exempt, on-site

Salary Range:

$68,000-$70,000

Deadline:

Open until filled

Location:

Atherton, CA – This position is an in-person position

 

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor provides guidance to Menlo College students and families on financial aid policies and programs, including federal, state, and institutional aid. Responsibilities include evaluating FAFSA and CADAA applications, determining eligibility, awarding aid, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The counselor will manage the award notification process, assist with audits and data reporting, and administer specific financial aid programs like Cal Grant or NCAA Athletic Aid. Strong communication, organizational skills, and proficiency in systems like PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar are essential.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Awarding and Counseling:

• Counsel students, applicants, and families on financial aid policies, programs, and procedures for federal, state, external, and institutional aid.
• Analyze financial aid applications and supporting documents to determine eligibility, verify data, and resolve discrepancies, while adhering to evolving regulations and policies. Use professional judgment to select cases for further review.
• Award federal, state, and institutional aid to new and returning students in compliance with relevant regulations and policies.

Systems and Operations:

• Merge student record data from Jenzabar with PowerFAIDS.
• Manage the award offer notification process, including the annual updates and distribution of notifications via print and email to students.
• Import, post, and process federal ISIR records and other Common Origination & Disbursement records.

Program Management:

• Serve as the administrator for a financial aid program, such as Cal Grant, Satisfactory Academic Progress, or NCAA Athletic Aid.
• Collaborate with Marketing to update financial aid information on Menlo’s website and other collateral.
• Manage other office functional areas as needed.

Financial Aid Administration, Compliance, and Reporting:

• Assist with special projects, including annual audits, application file completion, compliance tasks, and data management.
• Compile, analyze, and report data from PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar, and/or other systems for various audiences and purposes.
• Represent Menlo College and the Office of Financial Aid by presenting financial aid information to both on- and off-campus audiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and G-Suite.
• Experience with database management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex issues and interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse programs and disciplines.
• Must be eligible to access Federal Student Aid websites and databases.
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution, confidentiality, active listening, and openness to different viewpoints. Must uphold non-discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Willingness to consent to a background investigation and obtain clearance to access federal systems (valid Social Security Number, not in default on federal loans, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with PowerFAIDS or other financial aid management systems.
• Experience with Jenzabar One or similar campus management systems.
• Experience with state and federal systems such as WebGrants, COD, or NSLDS.

Personal Attributes:

• Passion and pride in promoting the value of higher education.
• Strong desire for personal and professional success.
• Committed team player dedicated to contributing to the enrollment team’s goals.
• Leverages enthusiasm for higher education and a strong work ethic to make meaningful contributions.

Availability and Travel:

• Office hours typically run from 8 AM – 5 PM or 9 AM – 6 PM, Monday to Friday, with periodic weekends and evenings dedicated to various tasks, including but not limited to: admissions events, outreach events, and call campaigns.
• The role may involve some travel, including visits to schools and other locations for FAFSA completion events.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Ethics and Confidentiality:

• Maintain a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

Performance Expectations:

• Provide timely and accurate financial aid counseling to students and families, resolving issues within 2 business days.
• Evaluate and verify financial aid applications, determining eligibility and addressing discrepancies within 3 business days.
• Award federal, state, and institutional aid with a minimum accuracy rate of 98% during audits, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Maintain and oversee the award notification process, ensuring timely updates and effective communication to students.
• Administer assigned financial aid programs (e.g., Cal Grant, NCAA Aid) in full compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Demonstrate proficiency in PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar for data management, report generation, and processing within the first 90 days of employment.
• Collaborate with Marketing to ensure up-to-date financial aid information is accurately reflected on Menlo’s website and other marketing collateral.
• Assist in preparing for audits and maintain 100% accuracy in compliance reporting and data submissions.
• Deliver financial aid presentations to both on-campus and off-campus audiences at least twice per semester, demonstrating strong communication skills.
• Respond to all student and internal inquiries within 1 business day to ensure consistent, effective communication.
• Participate in at least two professional development workshops annually to stay informed on changes to financial aid regulations and best practices.

 

About Menlo College:

Menlo College is doing transformative work with an incredibly diverse population of students, about one-third of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Almost 100 years old, this small gem of a private college – with less than 900 students – is changing lives and providing a stream of inspiring, diverse and capable graduates to Silicon Valley companies and organizations. The private school offers four-year undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, and two graduate programs that leverage key areas of excellence within the College.

Menlo College faculty members teach and mentor from their perspectives as scholars, entrepreneurs, managers, and community leaders. Menlo College attracts students from all over the world — young adults who are committed to learning, playing intercollegiate sports, starting and leading organizations, and volunteering in the community. The campus is located 30 miles south of San Francisco in Silicon Valley, one of the world’s most entrepreneurial and innovative locations. Silicon Valley is renowned as an innovation incubator with many opportunities for experience-based learning.

Menlo College is consistently included in lists of America’s best colleges, including citations by the Princeton Review. AffordableCollegesOnline.org (AC Online) has brought additional recognition to the quality of the Menlo College experience when the organization named Menlo as one of the 4-year colleges in California with the best lifetime return on investment (ROI). The diversity of Menlo students is reflected in two federal designations: as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and as an Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (a dual designation earned by only 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S.). Menlo is also one of the safest campuses anywhere; Universities.com ranks Menlo first in California, and fourth in the nation as the “safest college campus in America.”

 

Application Process:

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and current resume/CV. Submission of all application materials in an electronic format is highly encouraged. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please email materials to:

Menlo College
Attn: Human Resources Department
1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA 94027-4301
hr@menlo.edu

Menlo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity. All prospective Menlo College employees are required to satisfy a background check, as well as clearance annually for the operation of a motor vehicle on behalf of Menlo College

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