Vermont State University · 4 months ago
Student Financial Support Specialist
Castleton, VT
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$20.50/hr - $22/hr
2+ years expVermont State University is seeking a Student Financial Support Specialist to serve as a point of escalation for students and parents regarding financial aid and billing inquiries. The role involves providing excellent customer service, counseling students on financial needs, and collaborating across departments to support student success initiatives.
AlumniEducationHigher Education
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary point of escalation from admissions counselors, advisors, or other student success staff for students who have unique or difficult financial aid, billing, or payment questions or issues, connecting them with appropriate resources in Financial Aid, Student Accounts, or the Registrar’s Office as needed
Handle escalated question if issue is related to a student’s personal financial situation such as the calculation of estimated family contribution, financial aid awards, parent plus loans, payment plan set up, bookstore charges, FAFSA needs, and the Financial Aid verification process
Respond to escalated student questions related to student billing, payment, and financing related to unique student populations such as veterans, international students, study abroad, or those with other third-party payment
Counsel prospective and returning students and parents with unique situations to assess their financial needs and provide them with a wide range of information, advice, and assistance, either in person, email or phone
Work directly with students who are veterans or international students to provide certification paperwork and process internally as needed
Work collaboratively across departments and within Student Success to achieve Vermont State University student success goals, the university’s mission and vision, accessibility requirements, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities,including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like
Assist faculty and staff with basic financial aid and billing questions and provide first-level support for use of related technology
Monitor financial aid and billing assistance resources such as student portal, web pages, online resources, and forms, and work with Financial Aid and Student Accounts to update as needed
Perform other related duties as needed
Qualification
Required
Associate degree in appropriate discipline with two to four years relevant experience, or
Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline with two to four years relevant experience, or
Understanding of or ability to learn detailed financial aid processes and information needed to support the unique needs of individual students and their families, including knowledge of various federal, state, and institutional awards and grants
Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion
Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting
Experience recording notes and collecting data pertaining to services provided
Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, SelfService, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content
Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing work processes
Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, noncognitive or ‘soft' skills, and social skills
Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity
Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment
Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success
Ability to work some weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours
Preferred
experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired
Benefits
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Retirement Plan
Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges
Tuition Waiver to UVM for dependent children
Employee Assistance Program
Long Term Disability
14 Paid Holidays
Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave
Company
Vermont State University
Vermont State University offers career-focused education accessible to students in Vermont and the region.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$7.8MKey Investors
U.S. Department of EducationNational Science FoundationNorthern Border Regional Commission
2025-07-09Grant· $6M
2024-09-26Grant· $1.8M
2024-01-31Grant
Leadership Team
Karry Booska
Assistant Director of Community Partnerships for Career Development
Oyibo Afoaku, Ph.D.
Chief Diversity Officer
Recent News
2026-01-20
2025-12-17
vermontbiz.com
2025-12-05
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