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Financial Aid Counselor – New York State Opportunity Promise (NYSOP)

POSITION DETAILS

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students’ intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member’s ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC’s motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.

The Financial Aid Counselor for the New York State Opportunity Promise (NYSOP) program will provide dedicated, individualized financial aid services to adult learners aged 25–55 who are pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields through this state-funded initiative. The Counselor will play a pivotal role in helping students understand and maximize their eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and NYSOP-specific financial aid resources, with the goal of removing financial barriers to enrollment, persistence, and completion.

This position requires a student-centered professional with a deep understanding of the financial aid process and a commitment to serving adult and non-traditional learners, many of whom may be navigating college for the first time or returning after a long absence.

•Serve as the primary financial aid point-of-contact for NYSOP participants from application through graduation.

•Provide one-on-one and group counseling to NYSOP students about FAFSA completion, TAP eligibility, and other financial aid programs including Pell, Excelsior, and CUNY-specific grants.

•Assist students with required documentation and verification processes, proactively minimizing processing delays.

•Conduct targeted financial aid workshops and presentations tailored to the needs of adult learners, including budgeting, managing debt, and navigating aid as an independent student.

•Coordinate closely with the Transition Coordinator and Enrollment Management team to ensure seamless onboarding and retention support.

•Develop and maintain tracking systems for NYSOP participants' aid packages, eligibility, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing.

•Advocate for student concerns related to tuition, billing, and funding challenges and help students access emergency aid or financial literacy resources as needed.

•Collaborate with CUNY Central Office and the New York State HESC (Higher Education Services Corporation) to interpret and implement financial aid guidance specific to NYSOP.

•Stay current on federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policy changes that may impact NYSOP participants.

•Support reporting and data tracking efforts for grant compliance, program evaluation, and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

+ Bachelor's degree is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Master’s preferred in student affairs, higher education, finance, or a related field.

+ Two (2) or more years of professional experience in financial aid counseling, preferably in a college or university setting.

+ In-depth knowledge of federal and New York State financial aid programs, including FAFSA, TAP, and Pell.

+ Demonstrateability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and compassionately to students with varied backgrounds.

+ Familiarity with financial aid processing software, including PeopleSoft/CUNYfirst, and federal systems such as COD and NSLDS.

+ Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.

+ Commitment to serving adult learners, first-generation students, and those from underserved communities.

+ Experience working with non-traditional or adult student populations.

+ Bilingual (particularly Spanish, Mandarin, or Bengali) a plus.

+ Knowledge of CUNY-specific aid programs and policies.

+ Experience with financial literacy education or programming.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Coordinates financial aid procedures and activities and provides financial aid information.

- Schedules workshops, reviews applications, establishes pay cycles, disburses funds and resolves disbursement problems, and records awards, disbursements and returns

- Coordinates, verifies and resolves problems regarding the disbursement of scholarships and grants by verifying student eligibility, establishing pay cycles and reviewing pay-outs

- Reconciles accounting and disbursement schedules

- Provides data for financial aid and donor reports as needed

- Supports the College's enrollment management efforts by providing financial aid information to prospective students, their families and their high school counselors

- Serves as liaison between the college and direct loan providers

- Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Financial Aid Coordinator

CUNY TITLE

Assistant to HEO

FLSA

Non-exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary range is $52,426 - $56,720; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials fulfill the responsibilities and qualifications outlined. The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS\_HRAM\_FL.HRS\_CG\_SEARCH\_FL.GBL?Page=HRS\_APP\_JBPST\_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=30936&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using your login credentials. After you login to CUNYfirst, navigate to job openings by following the path from the Main Menu: Employee Self Service–>Careers

CLOSING DATE

September 23, 2025

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

30936

Location

Borough of Manhattan CC