Western Governors University
Financial Aid Counselor
🇺🇸
Remote - US
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$50K - $75K
💻
Financial Aid
🗓️
March 25th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
Western Governors University (WGU) is hiring a Financial Aid Counselor. The role involves guiding and supporting students through federal, state, and institutional financial aid processes, providing accurate advice on eligibility and application requirements, and making professional judgments to ensure proper financial aid. The counselor also coordinates communications and appointments, collaborates with internal departments, and conducts presentations to support student success under federal regulations and university policies.
Highlights
- Provide timely assistance and advising to students on financial aid eligibility, application, and planning.
- Make professional judgment decisions on a student-by-student basis regarding financial aid eligibility.
- Coordinate counseling appointments and communicate proactively with students via phone and email.
- Conduct presentations on financial aid programs and policies to university constituents.
- Collaborate regularly with internal departments including financial services, admissions, registrar, and student accounts.
- Required knowledge of federal student aid regulations, automated financial aid management systems, and Microsoft Office suite.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years postsecondary financial aid experience are required.
- Experience with Federal Title IV regulations and Financial Aid Management systems is necessary; good standing with the US Department of Education (no loans in default) is essential.
- Must be able to travel up to 20% for events, summits, and conferences.
- Compensation range is $49,800 to $74,600; the position is full-time and eligible for comprehensive benefits including bonuses, insurance, retirement plans, and flexible paid time off.
Financial Aid Counselor Full Description
If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
Grade: Professional 304Pay Range: $49,800.00 - $74,600.00
Grade: Professional 304Pay Range: $49,800.00 - $74,600.00
Job Description
The Financial Aid Counselor provides comprehensive guidance and support to students navigating federal, state, and institutional financial aid processes. This role delivers high‑quality customer service through timely, accurate advising on eligibility, application requirements, and financial planning. The counselor evaluates unique student circumstances, exercises professional judgment to ensure appropriate aid eligibility, and maintains detailed documentation. This position also facilitates student communication, coordinates counseling appointments, collaborates with internal departments, and conducts presentations on financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Counselor plays a key role in supporting student success by offering clear, proactive assistance throughout the financial aid lifecycle while upholding federal regulations and university policies.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities Provide professional and timely assistance to students regarding questions and concerns students may have regarding any aspect of financial aid requirements and/or eligibility. Initiate communication by phone call or email to students when needed. Provide professional assistance to students by advising and assisting them with financial planning, federal and state aid programs and application requirements, collecting data and keep accurate records. Coordinate the scheduling of appointments with students for financial aid counseling requests. Documents student application and interviews including special or unique circumstances related to the students' academic and financial situation. Has authority to make professional judgement decisions on a student-by-student basis for accurate and maximum financial aid eligibility. Maintain professionalism and remain calm when students are frustrated or have a difficult time understanding documentation requirements. Conducts presentations on financial aid programs and policies to university constituents. Ability to understand billing cycles and financial processes, providing timely interventions for students. Coordinate communication between student and other teams, providing problem solving resolutions or request for needed intervention. Communicates effectively and consistently with appropriate internal department members from financial services, admissions, registrar and student accounts as needed. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent customer service skills required Excellent phone etiquette required Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to federal student aid, including needs analysis and eligibility assessment. Knowledge of federal student aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements. Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures. Knowledge of automated federal student aid management systems. Skills in developing presentations and informing those in financial need. Skills in verbal, written and interpersonal communication. Skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. Ability to obtain access to federal government databases pertaining to federal student aid. Ability to analyze and solve problems in an effective and professional manner. Ability to work independently and to organize a heavy workload. Ability to operate office equipment, computers, and computer software applications. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals to meet their needs. Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy for all job responsibilities. Must be able to travel as needed to in-person events and conferences. Education Bachelor's degree in related field. Experience Customer service experience 5 years of experience in financial aid at the postsecondary level. Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations, procedures, and eligibility requirements In good standing with the US Department of Education, no loans in default. Experience with Financial Aid Management systems. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of university systems such as Sales Force, Campus Logic and BannerThis position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.
Primary Responsibilities Provide professional and timely assistance to students regarding questions and concerns students may have regarding any aspect of financial aid requirements and/or eligibility. Initiate communication by phone call or email to students when needed. Provide professional assistance to students by advising and assisting them with financial planning, federal and state aid programs and application requirements, collecting data and keep accurate records. Coordinate the scheduling of appointments with students for financial aid counseling requests. Documents student application and interviews including special or unique circumstances related to the students' academic and financial situation. Has authority to make professional judgement decisions on a student-by-student basis for accurate and maximum financial aid eligibility. Maintain professionalism and remain calm when students are frustrated or have a difficult time understanding documentation requirements. Conducts presentations on financial aid programs and policies to university constituents. Ability to understand billing cycles and financial processes, providing timely interventions for students. Coordinate communication between student and other teams, providing problem solving resolutions or request for needed intervention. Communicates effectively and consistently with appropriate internal department members from financial services, admissions, registrar and student accounts as needed. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Excellent customer service skills required Excellent phone etiquette required Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to federal student aid, including needs analysis and eligibility assessment. Knowledge of federal student aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements. Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures. Knowledge of automated federal student aid management systems. Skills in developing presentations and informing those in financial need. Skills in verbal, written and interpersonal communication. Skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. Ability to obtain access to federal government databases pertaining to federal student aid. Ability to analyze and solve problems in an effective and professional manner. Ability to work independently and to organize a heavy workload. Ability to operate office equipment, computers, and computer software applications. Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals to meet their needs. Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy for all job responsibilities. Must be able to travel as needed to in-person events and conferences. Education Bachelor's degree in related field. Experience Customer service experience 5 years of experience in financial aid at the postsecondary level. Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations, procedures, and eligibility requirements In good standing with the US Department of Education, no loans in default. Experience with Financial Aid Management systems. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of university systems such as Sales Force, Campus Logic and BannerThis position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.
Position & Application DetailsFull-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
Similar Jobs
Associate Director, Student Financial Services
Elon University
🇺🇸 Elon, NC
Business Process and Reporting Analyst - Financial Aid
Missouri State University
🇺🇸 Springfield, MO
UAF Financial Aid Advisor
University of Alaska
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Fairbanks, AK
Director Financial Aid - CCC
Concorde Career Colleges
🇺🇸 San Diego, CA
Financial Aid Advisor - CCC
Concorde Career Colleges
🇺🇸 Grand Prairie, TX
