SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor serves as the front-line person for the financial aid office providing exceptional customer service and comprehensive financial aid counseling to students via email, telephone and virtual meetings. The Financial Aid Counselor advises and counsels students and families on the financial aid process while helping them develop an individual financing plan, The Financial Aid Counselor also creates and monitors communications, and collaborates with admissions, registrar, and other institute offices to provide the best experience for our students. This person will also ensure the currency of virtual and printed information relating to student eligibility, available aid programs, and application procedures.  The Financial Aid Counselor will assist in presenting financial aid information and related topics at Institute events such as admissions information sessions, new student open houses, and orientation events. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Respond to financial aid inquiries via email, phone and meetings; provide exception customer service to inform prospective students, applicants, and enrolled students about the financial aid application process and their current status, clarifying/interpreting relevant federal aid policies and procedures that affect borrowing and loan refunds. (70%)
• Create, edit, and ensure timely, consistent communications of financial aid information (virtual and print). (10%)
• Remain current regarding Institute and federal financial aid policies (10%)
• Assist with presenting financial aid information at IHP events (5%)
• Perform other related duties within OES in support of Financial Aid, admission, student services and registration as necessary (5%)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines and occasional periods of high activity.
• This is a HYBRID role with a minimum 2 days onsite 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, verbal and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills are required.
• High attention to detail required. Basic math skills required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in customer service preferred.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid procedures and regulations and current issues in financial aid preferred.
• Experience with Colleague Financial Aid Module and Federal Direct systems preferred. 

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• a) Administrative Skills - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; customer-service oriented. Must also have the ability to handle multiple priorities and tasks in an environment that has constant interruptions. Must be detail oriented.  
• b) Technical Skills - Colleague Experience Preferred. Must be skilled in using related software applications including MS Word and Excel. Must be able to read and comprehend federal regulations. Basic math skills required.
• c) Physical Capabilities - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Some infrequent travel is required in this position, primarily to attend industry conferences.

TRAINING

Must attend industry-specific workshops and conferences to stay abreast of the latest federal guidelines governing financial aid and trends in higher education. Also reads industry information, particularly technical reference guides, as they are published. 

ABOUT MGH INSTITUTE:

MGH Institute of Health Professions is a graduate school in Boston that provides entry-level and post-professional programs in Nursing, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Genetic Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies. The PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences and a PhD and Master of Science in Health Professions Education have been added in recent years along with two new programs: Master of Health Administration in Leadership and Master of Science in Healthcare Data Analytics to meet rising demand for highly educated health care professionals, educators, and researchers. Integrating classroom learning with research and clinical experience, the Institute grants doctoral and master's degrees, awards certificates of advanced study, and offers continuing education to practicing professionals. 

MGH Institute of Health Professions is the only degree-granting affiliate in Mass General Brigham (MGB), the largest private employer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Institute has been recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For.” A leading health sciences educational institution, MGH Institute provides students with outstanding academic programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the nation.

MGH Institute of Health Professions has announced an organization-wide anti-racism initiative to think boldly about race and bring together all members of the Institute community to address systemic racial injustice as well as oppression more broadly. The plan seeks to create a supportive and inclusive campus environment and better support the diverse communities the school serves. We are excited about this initiative and are hiring employees who are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and will contribute to our anti-racism and anti-oppression approach.

EEO Statement 

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We welcome nominations and applications from individuals who would bring diversity of experience, thought, and practice to the Institute’s research, teaching, and clinical missions. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

About MGH Institute of Health Professions

MGH Institute of Health Professions, founded by Massachusetts General Hospital in 1977, is an innovative and independent graduate school in Boston that is a member of Partners HealthCare. A progressive leader in developing comprehensive models of health care education, the MGH Institute prepares advanced practice professionals in the fields of nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and communication sciences and disorders through a distinctive combination of academic study, clinical practice, and research. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in graduate level and certificate programs, with an increasing number of courses available online. The Institute is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

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