Job Description

Title: Financial Aid Counselor

Department/Location: Office of Student Financial Services

Position Type: Full-Time, 12-months

Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor reports directly to management within the Student Financial Services Office at Principia College. This position plays an integral role in providing superior customer service to all internal and external stakeholders. The counselor role conducts evaluations to assess financial need and aid eligibility for undergraduate students and families. This position is also the initial point of contact for students and families who may have questions, need to drop off documents, inquire about the status of their financial aid, or any other general inquiries. In addition to these duties, this position is responsible for electronic loan certification and disbursement of loan amounts for crediting to student accounts. All functions of this position must operate in compliance with Title IV regulations.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as primary point of contact for current and prospective students.
• Counsels and advises students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, and indebtedness.
• Uses clear and understandable communication with students, parents, and potential students regarding financial aid counseling.
• Assists students with estimating their educational expenses to calculate their needs for the year and preparing a financial plan.
• Conducts verification review for selected students according to federal regulations.
• Responsible for awarding, disbursing, and reconciling all federal funds (Direct Loans, Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant).
• Reviews and ensures student aid awards are accurate.
• Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
• Uses enhanced internal and external communication systems to inform students and parents about financial aid awards and department’s policies and procedures
• Ensures compliance with all financial aid policies, procedures and regulations when reviewing financial aid applications; exercises judgment when interpreting federal and state regulations for specific student situations
• Assists the Director of Financial Aid in reviews and reports to ensure compliance of department with regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV awards and regulations as well as FERPA.
• Attends training sessions, both on- and off-campus.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in their area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 1-3 years of experience in college and federal financial aid or related area
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; easily adaptable to new technologies
• Familiarity with Banner financial aid awarding system, preferred
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding government-funded assistance
• Occasional weekend work required; some travel may be required (working with recruiters in the field)

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b)-retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.