Financial Aid & Student Accounts Advisor

Who We Are:

Are you ready to work at a dynamic institution that believes in higher education with lower obstacles? Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (now known as Franklin Cummings Tech) is a nationally accredited non-profit, technical college serving Massachusetts. The college was seeded in 1791 with funds from the estate of Benjamin Franklin given to the City of Boston to proliferate access to apprenticeship and entrepreneurship. Today, that legacy has evolved into an accredited college that delivers accessible tech and trade education to level the playing field for aspiring talent.

With a mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement, Franklin Cummings Tech offers a unique mix of certificates and degrees that appeal to enterprising students from Eastern Massachusetts and respond to employer demand for a well-prepared workforce. Intentional partnerships with the industries we serve coupled with high graduation and job placement rates, recently attracted the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the college from the Cummings Foundation, helping to spur incredible growth in the past four years.

Franklin Cummings Tech educates more than 1,000 learners annually across three student types: 1) certificate and degree seekers, 2) continuing education enrollees, and 3) early college students. As evidence that our mission holds resonance student enrollment is up and Fall 2027 applications have soared 16% year over year. 

We seek optimistic, data-informed, and dedicated colleagues who are eager to increase student success outcomes and boost total enrollment to 1,500 learners by 2030. Join us in this mission-driven work. 

Position Summary:

The Financial Aid & Student Accounts Advisor provides comprehensive financial support to prospective and current students throughout the enrollment lifecycle. Serving as a primary point of contact for financial aid and student account questions, this highly student-facing position helps students navigate financial aid requirements, billing processes, payment options, and financial literacy concepts that support enrollment, persistence, and completion.

Working collaboratively with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Admissions, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Operations, this position removes financial barriers to student success while delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring compliance with institutional and federal requirements.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The following duties are representative of the work performed in this position. Other duties may be assigned based on organizational needs.

Student Financial Aid Support

• Serve as a primary resource for students and families regarding financial aid processes and eligibility.
• Assist students with completing the FAFSA and understanding financial aid requirements.
• Guide students through Verification, Entrance Counseling, and Master Promissory Note (MPN) completion.
• Explain financial aid awards, loan borrowing responsibilities, and repayment expectations.
• Assist students in resolving outstanding financial aid requirements that delay enrollment.
• Mail financial aid award letters and related financial aid communications to students as needed.

Student Accounts & Billing Support

• Assist students with reviewing account balances and understanding billing statements.
• Help students establish monthly payment plans.
• Educate students on payment deadlines and institutional billing policies.
• Assist students with waiving or enrolling in the College-sponsored health insurance plan.
• Help students identify options for resolving outstanding balances.

Student Success & Financial Navigation

• Provide welcoming, student-centered service that supports enrollment and persistence.
• Assist students in completing financial tasks necessary for registration and continued enrollment.
• Deliver basic financial literacy education related to budgeting, responsible borrowing, repayment obligations, and financial planning.
• Triage student concerns and connects students with the appropriate campus resources.
• Build positive relationships with students and families while promoting confidence in navigating college finances.

Collaboration, Compliance & Administrative Support

• Collaborate with Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Operations to provide coordinated student support.
• Maintain accurate documentation of student interactions and follow-up activities.
• Remain current on federal financial aid regulations, institutional policies, and best practices.
• Participate in departmental initiatives designed to improve student service, enrollment, retention, and operational efficiency.
• Support special projects and departmental events as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Two or more years of experience providing customer service, student support, financial services, or related work.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong commitment to student success and exceptional customer service.
• Knowledge of customer service best practices and student support principles.
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and compassionately.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Curious and continuous learner. 
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Data Savy individual with a positive, can-do professional demeanor.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, student-focused environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn student information and financial aid systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
• Appreciation for a team-based, in-person workplace.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and serving a diverse student population.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience in Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Enrollment Services, or Student Success.
• Familiarity with FAFSA, Verification, federal student loan programs, and financial aid regulations.
• Experience using student information systems such as Jenzabar J1.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills are important.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to bend, reach, and access office equipment and filing systems.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, scanners, and telephones.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, families, faculty, and staff in person, by telephone, and electronically.

Work Environment:

• This position operates primarily in a professional office environment with frequent interaction with students, families, faculty, and staff.
• The role requires extensive face-to-face customer service and occasional participation in campus events.
• Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to support both day and evening students.
• The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.

Employee Expectations: 

All employees are expected to support the college’s student-centered mission, contribute to institutional growth and innovation, and collaborate across departments to improve student recruitment, retention, graduation, and career placement outcomes. 

Our college is an in-person institution. Campus presence is the default expectation for all employees. In-person presence remains the expectation and the standard for all staff. Flex arrangements are a discretionary privilege, not a right, and may be modified or discontinued if it is determined that flex arrangements are diminishing service quality, team cohesion, or responsiveness to students, external partners, and colleagues. The student experience and fidelity of institutional operations take priority over individual schedule preferences.

The salary for this position is $50,000k-$60,000k; DOE

Please note: Franklin Cummings Tech is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship to be considered for this position at Franklin Cummings Tech.

 
Franklin Cummings Tech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.