Full Time
About Alvernia University
Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country.
Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for the development of the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage.
Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education.
Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor is a motivated and detail-oriented professional responsible for maintaining a comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and institutional student aid programs, regulations, and procedures. This individual works closely with students, families, faculty, and staff in a collaborative and diverse environment, providing high-quality counseling and support throughout the financial aid process.
The Counselor supports systems and operational functions within the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS), including data integration, scheduled event maintenance in Power FAIDS , and assisting with system oversight. They collaborate with the Associate Director and SFS staff to counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, verification, need analysis, and financing options. The role also regularly partners with departments such as Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate and Adult Education, Residence Life, and Student Activities. Strong organizational skills, confidentiality, and polished communication abilities are essential, along with occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments.
Essential Functions:
Mission, Culture & Leadership
• Model Alvernia’s Franciscan values through compassionate service, ethical leadership, and commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful community for all.
• Cultivate a [student-/client-/employee]culture that prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and proactive communication.
Student Support & Customer Service
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all SFS activities and student records.
• Deliver high-quality customer service to students, families, and campus partners.
• Provide financial aid counseling to prospective and current students/families, including guidance on aid programs, verification, award packages, and financing options.
• Respond promptly to student inquiries (phone, email, walk-ins, virtual) within a 24– 48 hour timeframe.
• Assist students and families with general financial aid, student account , and academic-related questions.
• Monitor the financial aid/student balance hold list each semester.
• Support communications related to missing documents, verification items, and processing follow-up.
Counseling & Campus Collaboration
• Use a holistic, best-practice–based counseling approach to support traditional, graduate, and adult learners throughout their educational journey.
• Collaborate closely with key student service offices including Student Accounts, Registrar, Admissions, Residence Life, Navigation, S.O.L.A.R., GAE, and the Holleran Center to resolve student issues and ensure coordinated support.
Operations & Compliance
• Assist the Associate Director with importing and exporting all financial aid files through ED Connect , including ISIRs, corrections, COD origination/disbursement files, and reject resolution.
• Oversee federal aid program compliance related to aggregate loan limits, Pell LEU, UEH reviews, and student notifications.
• Assist with creating and maintaining custom and standard reports, selection sets, and other Power FAIDS functions to enhance processing efficiency.
• Support monthly and annual federal and state aid reconciliation processes to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist with system oversight, including data integration and maintaining scheduled Power FAIDS events (anticipated aid, disbursement, etc.).
• Manage student employment program eligibility and coordinate with Human Resources on student worker and graduate assistant hiring and employment documentation.
• Work with HR and the Business Office to maximize federal, state, and institutional work-study funding and maintain student employment data in Power FAIDS and COD.
• Assist with completion of annual reports and internal reporting needs.
Professional Development, Customer Service & Representation
• Lead or contribute to internal training and professional development initiatives that enhance compliance, service excellence, communication, and inclusive practices across the organization.
• Promote a high standard of customer service by modeling responsive, solutions-oriented interactions with students, clients, colleagues, and external partners.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the organization by communicating its mission, values, and offerings effectively to internal and external audiences.
• Represent the university at recruitment and outreach events, including open houses, orientations, and community engagement programs.
Specialized Focus
• Processes tuition reimbursements and follow-up for collections.
• Process Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) forms, Outside Scholarship, Tuition Remission.
• Assists Associate Director with processing Federal Plus loans and Private Loans.
• Assist with managing the endowed and restricted funds.
Other Responsibilities
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.
• Position requires occasional evening, weekend, extended hours, and off-site travel.
Qualifications/Education:
• Commitment to the organization’s mission, values, and service-oriented culture.
• Bachelor’s degree required ; Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience in financial aid, student financial services, or a related field preferred.
• Strong proficiency with Power FAIDS , ED Connect , COD, NSLDS, and related systems a plus.
• Excellent analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing regulatory environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Physical Requirements:
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for the performance of this role.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Employee Benefits:
Join a team that values your well-being! We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family:
• Robust Health Coverage: Choose from three offered medical plans, plus dental and vision.
• Financial Security: Enjoy University-paid life/AD&D insurance and long-term disability, with options for short-term disability and supplemental coverage for you and your family (including accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans). Flexible spending accounts are also available.
• Exceptional Retirement: Start saving immediately with our 403(b) Retirement Plan . You'll get 100% immediate vesting , a University gift contribution, and a generous match up to 5% of your deferrals.
• Time Off & Flexibility: Take advantage of 18 paid holidays each year and the possibility of flexible or hybrid work options for many roles.
• Invest in Your Future: Enjoy tuition remission benefits for yourself and your dependents.
• On-Campus Wellness: Benefit-eligible employees on our main campus receive free access to our Medical & Counseling Center.