The CCS Financial Aid Counselor works closely with students and families to support their understanding of their student accounts and financial aid at CCS. This position will work with newly admitted student and families as well as current students to help them navigate the financial aid application process, and to ensure they understand their federal and state aid, and merit scholarships. Working within a team of caring professionals, the Financial Aid Counselor balances a combination of organizational and customer service skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to engage with students from diverse backgrounds, first-generation students and families. The Financial Aid Counselor works closely with colleagues on the Financial Aid, Academic Advising and Registration, and Business Services teams. This position is eligible for CCS’ remote work arrangement.
Position Accountabilities and Essential Functions
Provide counsel and advise students and families regarding the processes for federal, state and private aid sources for higher education as well as related institutional policies and costs;
Assess aid applications to determine if and what types of follow up documentation is required and to determine eligibility for financial aid based on federal, state, and institutional guidelines;
Perform verification process on all selected applicants;
Evaluates professional judgement and dependency override documentation provided by the student;
Processes unofficial and official withdrawal R2T4 calculations;
Responsible for Michigan Tuition Grant/State Aid certifying and reconciling with State at year end;
Manage the student work-study program – main contact for students, supervisors and Human Resources office;
Represent the College and Financial Aid Office at various college and financial aid events – including some evening and weekend hours;
Perform additional duties as required.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree;
At least 2 year of experience in a higher education setting working with student financial aid and dealing with regulatory compliance issues;
Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills, including a strong sensitivity to diverse student populations;
Self-motivated and able to work well independently and as part of a team;
Excellent organizational, time management and problem solving skills;
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Colleague/Ellucian software system
Experience with various federal processing systems (COD, EDconnect, NSLDS, ELM, FAAccess to CPS Online).
WORK ENVIRONMENT: This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About CCS
College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students, approximately 7% of whom are international students from more than 30 countries. CCS offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors: Advertising, Communication Design, Entertainment Arts: Animation, Concept Design, Game, Fashion Design, Film, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art + Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Studio Art & Crafts, and Transportation Design and an Art Education Teacher Certification program. It also offers a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in four majors: Art Education, Color and Materials Design, Interdisciplinary Design Studies, Transportation Design, and User Experience Design.
To apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format:
The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value the diversity this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are part of our Core Institutional Values and we encourage applications from all individuals.
About CCS:
College for Creative Studies is a nonprofit institution; it is one of the leading art and design colleges in the world. CCS is ranked by LinkedIn as a top three design school in the US and the best in the Midwest, based on alumni success. CCS has state-of-the-art facilities to support the complete range of creative production, from traditional art forms such as painting, glassblowing, foundry, and printmaking, to the most contemporary systems, including the latest digital imaging technology and extensive rapid prototyping output tools. The College currently enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 13 majors: Advertising Design, Art Education, Art Practice, Communication Design, Craft and Material Studies, Entertainment Arts, Fashion Accessories Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, and Transportation Design. It also offers a Master's degrees in four majors: Color and Materials Design, Interaction Design, Systems Design Thinking, and Transportation Design.