Financial Aid Counselor

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Financial Aid Counselor supports learning by providing financial aid information and counseling to undergraduate and graduate students at the university, to facilitate the enrollment of students, consistent with the university’s mission, accreditation standards, and regulatory guidelines.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Counsel students, parents, and employees on all aspects of financial aid programs and processes (federal, state, university, private). Students counseled include prospective freshman, transfer, adult, and graduate students.
  2. Maintain and apply knowledge of federal, state, university, and private policies and procedures regarding financial aid.
  3. Determine financial aid eligibility and calculate financial aid awards for students. Work with students to determine a comprehensive financial plan for attendance at AU. Use knowledge to solve problems related to financial aid.
  4. Coordinate and complete the verification process.
  5. Process required documentation for financial aid. Assist students with loan processing.
  6. Work with team to develop, maintain, and evaluate financial aid policy and processes, to ensure complete, accurate, and efficient service to students.
  7. Participate in financial aid workshops, seminars, and open houses.
  8. This job description is intended to represent key areas of responsibilities; specific assignments may vary from time to time and require flexibility in schedule for managing peak periods and other duties may be assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

  • One to three years experience in financial aid required.

Skills:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organization skills.
  • Strong customer service orientation.
  • Ability to handle confidential information.
  • Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents and to develop strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, administrators, students, and the general public.
  • Flexibility with an evolving work situation.
  • Knowledge of spreadsheet systems.
  • Knowledge of Colleague desired.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to move about campus.
  • Ability to interact via telephone, in person, and via electronic media.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

If you were referred by a current employee of Aurora University please include the name of the employee in your submission.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.