Vacancy Announcement
Financial Aid Counselor
Enrollment Managment Division
VUU is nourished by its African American and Christian heritage and energized by a commitment to excellence and diversity. Its mission is to: 1) Provide a nurturing, intellectually challenging and spiritually enriching environment for learning; 2) Empower students to develop strong moral values for success; and 3) Develop scholars, leaders, and lifelong learners of a global society .
Established in 1865, Virginia Union University gave newly emancipated slaves an opportunity for education, for establishing a community, and for gaining economic, political and social advancement. The University is the result of a merger among four historic institutions: Richmond Theological Seminary, Wayland Seminary, Hartshorn Memorial, and Storer College. Richmond Theological Seminary held its first classes at Lumpkin’s Jail, a former holding cell for runaway slaves. The Wayland Seminary was founded in 1865 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Washington, DC. Two years later Storer College was founded in West Virginia, and Hartshorn Memorial College opened its doors in 1883 as the first college for African American women in the country. After operating independently for three decades, these notable seminaries joined forces to form Virginia Union University in 1899. Hartshorn Memorial and Storer Colleges would eventually join this Union in 1932 and 1964, respectively.
Located in the heart of Virginia’s capital city, Virginia Union University, a Baptist affiliated private institution, is best known for its world-renowned graduate school of theology. It also offers a broad range of educational opportunities in the liberal arts, teaching, research, science, technology, continuing education, civic engagement, and study abroad. VUU’s commitment to student success has included an emphasis on student engagement and retention, and close interaction between faculty and students, both of which produce a synergy among scholarship, teaching, and learning.
At Virginia Union University®, we consistently search for and create growth opportunities that forge groundbreaking research, state of the art technology, or top-of-the-line curriculum. We welcome and encourage new ideas and processes that positively impact experiences. We require the following core values .
Spiritual Formation , as a faith-based University, we welcome the regular practice of prayer, worship, silence, and mediation that matures one’s relationships, values, and life purpose that lead to ongoing spiritual growth and transformation.
Integrity, we value our commitment to fairness, honesty, and truth reflected in each person’s words and deeds while holding ourselves accountable for our personal and words and actions.
Diversity & Inclusion , as one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, we value diversity in thought, perspective, and embodiment, trusting that we are stronger when various voices, traditions, and experiences are present .
Excellence, we provide the highest quality of experiences and interactions while remaining flexible, responsive, and open-minded in developing and delivering programs, services, and facilities committed to exceeding the standards of what it means to be Best-In-Class.
The Financial Aid Counselor's duties include counseling and advising students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluating Financial Aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collecting data and keeping accurate records.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Ensures optimal use of financial aid funds by awarding funds from the various university-controlled programs to students in accordance with established federal, state, and University guidelines.
- Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by making group presentations which explain both the various financial aid programs and associated application processes.
- Ensures student and parent awareness of the various financial aid sources during counseling sessions by providing information to them and answering their questions regarding financial aid sources.
- Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping them to complete appropriate and required forms; by advising them of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid; and by providing them with information about the status of their financial aid applications.
- Determines students' eligibility for the various financial aid programs by evaluating their applications.
- Adheres to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and rules as communicated by the Director of Athletics, Compliance related to dealings with student-athletes and/or Athletics Department personnel and reports any concerns or possible violations of those guidelines to the immediate supervisor.
- Assists with the smooth operation of the department by assisting the Financial Aid Coordinator in the administration of one or more financial aid programs managed by the Unit.
- Develops students' money management skills by assisting students with financial planning.
- Contributes to broad based management of the Financial Aid Office by providing input to office policy and procedure decisions.
- Assists in the preparation of required statistical reports by collecting data and keeping accurate records on programs administered by the Financial Aid Office and by designing and revising forms as appropriate .
- Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
- Maintains competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development coursed, and attending training and/or courses required by the Financial Aid Coordinator.
- Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Student Financial Aid by performing all other duties as assigned by the Financial Aid Coordinator.
Qualifications
- Education: A Bachelor's degree is required . A Master's degree is preferred.
- Experience:
- One year of successful professional work experience is required
- E xperience in financial aid, university administration, or a related field is preferre d
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Applications Deadline
Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled . Applications should include a resume with three references and a cover letter . Please email
[email protected] with any questions.
The selected applicant may be required to submit to a background investigation. VUU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.
For more information about Virginia Union University, visit https://www.vuu.edu/about-vuu
