Financial Aid Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Date : July 16, 2026
Title : Financial Aid Counselor

Description : Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for working with students, parents and colleagues in a fast-paced environment.  The Financial Aid Counselor is further responsible for disseminating general financial aid information to families of current and prospective students and to counsel families on financial aid procedures and options.

Responsibilities :
Student Advising & Customer Service

• Provide comprehensive counseling: Advise prospective, current, and returning students and their families on the financial aid process, eligibility requirements, and various funding options (grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study).
• Assist with applications: Guide students through completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Deliver exceptional service: Respond to inquiries via phone, email, and in-person walk-ins regarding financial aid status, disbursements, and billing questions.

Application Processing & File Review

• Perform verification: Review and verify tax returns, W-2s, and other financial documents submitted by families to ensure accuracy against FAFSA data, in strict compliance with federal regulations.
• Package financial aid awards: Determine student eligibility and assemble financial aid packages consisting of federal, state, and institutional funding.

Compliance & Administration

• Utilize financial aid software: Review, track, and update student records using our Student Information Systems (SIS) Colleague and Jenzabar, the Admissions Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, Slate, alongside federal systems like COD (Common Origination and Disbursement) and NSLDS.
• Learn about regulatory compliance and specific aid programs: as part of professional development in this role, gain a working knowledge of Title IV federal student aid regulations, state grant guidelines, and institutional policies. Also learn the details of administering specific aid programs (such as federal work-study or private alternative loans).
• Expected to comply with all applicable College, Federal, State, local and associational laws, rules and regulations

Outreach & Financial Literacy

• Conduct presentations: Represent the financial aid office at campus events, including admissions open houses, new student orientations, and high school financial aid nights.
• Promote financial literacy: Participate in workshops or webinars aimed at teaching students about budgeting, responsible borrowing, and loan repayment strategies.

Participate in significant campus activities including Welcome Weekend, True Blue Weekend, and Commencement Weekend

As a representative of the College, expected to comport oneself in a professional manner at all times, both on and off campus

Qualifications :  Minimum requirements for this position are a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. At least one year of experience in a financial aid office or working in a higher education environment is preferred.

• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to quickly learn new processes
• Computer database comfort and familiarity
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external constituents

Wage Range - $27.00 - $29.00

Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.

An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,100 full-time undergraduates, The College features a general education curriculum designed to give every student a flexible, individualized learning experience that integrates coursework, co-curricular activities, and work experience to cultivate their distinctive strengths and prepare them for the future.  

Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.

Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. 

Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.

Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process. 

All applicants are asked to submit the following materials with their online applications:

• A cover letter;
• A resume; and
• The names and contact information for three references, with annotation regarding how the reference is related to you and your work (at least one of your references must be from a current and/or previous supervisor).

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

 

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