Senior Counselor, Student Finance

Job Description

Job Description

Details: Posted: 08/17/26
Level: Senior Associate
Department: Office of the Bursar
Closing Date: 09/11/26 at 4:00pm ET Location: Charter Oak State College
185 Main Street New Britain, CT 06051
*This is a an on-campus position, there will be some telework flexibility. The incumbent may travel to public sites to make presentations as well as travel to national or regional meetings and conferences.

Please take a look at our website to find out more about our college. Charter Oak State College Charter Oak State College Mission : As part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system, Charter Oak State College, the state’s only public, online, degree-granting institution, provides affordable, diverse, and alternative opportunities for adults to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. The College's mission is to foster the potential of current and future working professionals by providing dynamic and industry-relevant online education to advance success in a global society through affordability, collaboration, and learning experiences that can occur inside and outside the virtual classroom. Charter Oak State College Vision: Charter Oak State College: A dynamic community of online learners advancing the nation’s workforce one graduate at a time. Anticipated Start Date:  Fall 2026 Position Summary: The Senior Counselor of Student Finance is a key resource for students, guiding them through the various financial aspects of paying for college. This position emphasizes financial counseling and support, helping students understand their funding options, including financial aid, self-pay arrangements, and scholarships. The role includes both proactive and reactive efforts to encourage students to learn about financial aid and outside resources and navigate that sometimes difficult path in preparation for the start of each semester. Additional responsibilities include administering scholarships, managing third-party billing, and supporting the financial needs of the various cohorts of students.

Supervisory and Other Relationships:

This position reports to the Bursar and will need to work effectively with other administrative and academic departments across the College.

Position Responsibilities:

The following examples of duties illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position, but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

Financial Counseling and Support:

• Assist students in navigating all financial elements of their college experience, including tuition payment options, financial aid, and self-pay strategies.
• Provide in-depth counseling to help students understand their eligibility for federal financial aid and guide them through the application and award processes.
• Work with students to resolve issues related to financial aid, ensuring their accounts are complete and ready prior to the start of each semester.
• Educate students on payment plans, deadlines, and their impact on academic progress.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office, to provide students with comprehensive support and resolve account issues efficiently.
• Promote financial literacy by helping students understand the long-term implications of their financial decisions.

Billing & Transactional Management:

• Oversee key transactional processes related to student billing, including reconciliation of daily deposits, accounts receivable uploads, and coordination of payment activity across systems.
• Administer financial compliance functions such as the escheatment of student account credit balances and unclaimed financial aid disbursements, ensuring adherence to institutional, state and federal policies.
• Contribute to cross-functional financial operations with reporting, segregation of duties, reconciliations, and backup coverage for core fiscal processes and journal entries.
• Review and confirm student enrollment against third-party billing documentation, such as letters of credit and payment vouchers.
• Apply discounts or temporary adjustments to accounts as required by various agreements.
• Generate and submit accurate invoices to third-party payers, coordinating with Financial Aid when necessary.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Utilize various student and financial information systems to service students and maintain accurate records.
• Prepare reports and journal entries on billing, scholarships, and financial aid readiness to inform decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
• Leverage College tools to strategize student financial outreach to increase student enrollment success.

Proactive Student Support:

• Work with students to address financial challenges early, reducing barriers to their academic success in a strategic fashion.
• Ensure students are financially prepared for each semester by resolving outstanding financial aid and payment issues in advance.

Compliance and Professional Development:

• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and institutional student finance regulations and policies.
• Participate in professional development to stay updated on best practices in financial counseling and student account management.

Scholarship Processing and Administration:

• Verify and monitor student eligibility for various institutional and external scholarships.
• Maintain accurate records of scholarship and institutional awards and apply funds to student accounts in compliance with institutional policies.
• Provide guidance to students on scholarship and aid opportunities and application processes.
• Collaborate with program directors and external agencies to ensure accurate and timely scholarship administration.

Military Student Billing:

• Oversee financial processes for military students, ensuring compliance with military tuition assistance programs and institutional policies.
• Verify course registration and tuition adjustments for military-funded students.
• Stay informed about military funding requirements and utilize platforms like Army Ignited to support accurate billing.

Minimum Qualifications: The position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The following past experience, trainings and/or certifications are required:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, counseling, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years in financial services, financial counseling, or a related role .
• At least two years’ experience holding a position requiring customer service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education field with a focus on finance.
• Strong knowledge of federal financial aid processes and requirements.
• Familiarity with scholarship administration and military funding guidelines.

Work Environment: The incumbent typically performs work in the offices of the College’s headquarters located at 185 Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut. The work does not, normally, involve any significant physical effort. The incumbent may travel to public sites to make presentations as well as travel to national or regional meetings and conferences. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.  Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $74,762 - $101,457 and while experience and qualifications are considered, candidates will start at the minimum of the salary range. This position also comes with excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. The salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications such as education and job-related experience, and internal equity. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.  Application Instructions : To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.
Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

For more information or to apply via our website at Selection Procedure : Application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications. Background Screening: All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification. Charter Oak State College is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Clery Act :

Attached is Charter Oaks Annual Security Report to comply with the requirement of the Clery Act which outlines several administrative items related to campus security.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination :

Charter Oak State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record.
CHARTER OAK STATE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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