OPT Financial Counselor Jobs
Financial Counselor roles qualify for OPT when your degree is in finance, economics, social work, or a related field. Many positions are at nonprofits, credit unions, and hospitals, which tend to be straightforward OPT sponsors. Your 12-month standard OPT window is enough to prove value and convert to H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of the Financial Counselor is to support a seamless, holistic approach, in partnership with academic advisors, to guide and counsel students and parents on academic success plans including options to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options with persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors play an active role in creating a culture of care as a part of the student’s success team by fostering meaningful relationships with students and campus partners to enhance the students’ successful university experience.
Training will be provided to new employees, so knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and policies and procedures at the University is not required, but can certainly benefit someone coming into this role. The ability to understand and apply policies and procedures with a passion for supporting students will lead to success in this role.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Core Responsibilities:
Financial Counseling (25%): Advise and counsel students and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, policies, and procedures at the university.
- Assist students utilizing a holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability, costs of education, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options.
- Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment, walk-in basis, over the phone, and other communication platforms.
- Provide information about all student financial aid programs and program characteristics such as type of aid, funding source, amounts, interest rates, repayment requirements, application procedures and individual student eligibility requirements such as academic, financial, citizenship, enrollment, etc.
- Discuss confidential financial data and other family circumstances with students and others. Advise about impact and eligibility to participate in various aid programs.
- Exercise “professional judgment” in individual student situations. Professional judgement delineates that the financial counselor determines, after reviewing the student’s situation, that the student does not fall into the standard categories outlined in program regulation and that the student should be an “exception to the rule.”
- Partner with academic advisors to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.
- As part of the position’s counseling activities, may contact other university offices to seek advice for the student or serve as an advocate for the student. The position also may contact private lenders, guarantee agencies, state and federal agencies, and the US Department of Education for information or as an advocate for the student.
Program Knowledge (25%): Thoroughly understand and clearly communicate federal, state, and institutional financial aid and student accounting programs, policies, and procedures.
- Utilize Banner student system to navigate through the student’s record to find necessary information to assist the student, complete appropriate processes, tracking and notations.
- This position must be knowledgeable of important dates and deadlines each semester to ensure correct information is given.
Financial Aid Outreach and Literacy (25%): Supports and coordinates outreach for programs within the University such as orientation, open houses, workshops and other various outreach requests that include both on and off campus events. This may include some daily or overnight travel.
- Presents financial aid and cost of education information to parent and student groups on and off campus.
- Assists with other projects in the office, Student Financial Services unit, or the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management during peak periods and as assigned.
- Supports planning for module/section(s) of UNIV first time freshman students.
- May represent the Student Financial Services unit at various University functions.
- Promotes the values and mission of VCU to all constituents positively and professionally.
Information and Records Administration (25%): Review applicable documents that pertain to a student’s financial aid application and review for completeness and compare it with information already contained on the student's financial aid Banner record.
- Understand the Federal and State regulations surrounding Financial Aid to determine if additional information is needed or if the file is complete to determine the award package based on these guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of training, education or experience.
- Experience in student financial services, customer service, or another relevant field.
- Quantitative and analytical skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
- Ability to project a positive image of the University and the office at all times.
- Ability to explain complex concepts in clear and concise language.
- Ability to support and attend UNIV courses related to financial aid literacy.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Counseling, Student Services, Social Work, or related field or a combination of education, experience, and training.
- Experience in school or college counseling, financial aid activities, or related field.
- Bilingual ability specifically with Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese.
OTHER POSITION DETAILS
- This position may require some evening and weekend hours as well as occasional travel.
- This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, up to 2 remote days per week depending on peak seasons.
- We will hire up to 2 positions from the recruitment.
SALARY RANGE
Up to $45,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
HOURS PER WEEK: 40
RESTRICTED POSITION: No
ORP ELIGIBLE: No
FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT: Hybrid
UNIVERSITY JOB TITLE: 35211N - Student Advisor SS 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Benjamin Sties
Contact Email: stiesbr@vcu.edu
POSTING OPENS: 11/5/26
POSTING CLOSES: 11/18/26 at 11:55PM
INTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of the Financial Counselor is to support a seamless, holistic approach, in partnership with academic advisors, to guide and counsel students and parents on academic success plans including options to pay for college, financial aid eligibility, and financing options with persistence to graduation. Financial Counselors play an active role in creating a culture of care as a part of the student’s success team by fostering meaningful relationships with students and campus partners to enhance the students’ successful university experience.
Training will be provided to new employees, so knowledge of financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, financial aid literacy, billing questions, student accounting payment options, and policies and procedures at the University is not required, but can certainly benefit someone coming into this role. The ability to understand and apply policies and procedures with a passion for supporting students will lead to success in this role.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Core Responsibilities:
Financial Counseling (25%): Advise and counsel students and parents about financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, financing options, policies, and procedures at the university.
- Assist students utilizing a holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability, costs of education, financial awareness, campus resources, and payment options.
- Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment, walk-in basis, over the phone, and other communication platforms.
- Provide information about all student financial aid programs and program characteristics such as type of aid, funding source, amounts, interest rates, repayment requirements, application procedures and individual student eligibility requirements such as academic, financial, citizenship, enrollment, etc.
- Discuss confidential financial data and other family circumstances with students and others. Advise about impact and eligibility to participate in various aid programs.
- Exercise “professional judgment” in individual student situations. Professional judgement delineates that the financial counselor determines, after reviewing the student’s situation, that the student does not fall into the standard categories outlined in program regulation and that the student should be an “exception to the rule.”
- Partner with academic advisors to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.
- As part of the position’s counseling activities, may contact other university offices to seek advice for the student or serve as an advocate for the student. The position also may contact private lenders, guarantee agencies, state and federal agencies, and the US Department of Education for information or as an advocate for the student.
Program Knowledge (25%): Thoroughly understand and clearly communicate federal, state, and institutional financial aid and student accounting programs, policies, and procedures.
- Utilize Banner student system to navigate through the student’s record to find necessary information to assist the student, complete appropriate processes, tracking and notations.
- This position must be knowledgeable of important dates and deadlines each semester to ensure correct information is given.
Financial Aid Outreach and Literacy (25%): Supports and coordinates outreach for programs within the University such as orientation, open houses, workshops and other various outreach requests that include both on and off campus events. This may include some daily or overnight travel.
- Presents financial aid and cost of education information to parent and student groups on and off campus.
- Assists with other projects in the office, Student Financial Services unit, or the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management during peak periods and as assigned.
- Supports planning for module/section(s) of UNIV first time freshman students.
- May represent the Student Financial Services unit at various University functions.
- Promotes the values and mission of VCU to all constituents positively and professionally.
Information and Records Administration (25%): Review applicable documents that pertain to a student’s financial aid application and review for completeness and compare it with information already contained on the student's financial aid Banner record.
- Understand the Federal and State regulations surrounding Financial Aid to determine if additional information is needed or if the file is complete to determine the award package based on these guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of training, education or experience.
- Experience in student financial services, customer service, or another relevant field.
- Quantitative and analytical skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
- Ability to project a positive image of the University and the office at all times.
- Ability to explain complex concepts in clear and concise language.
- Ability to support and attend UNIV courses related to financial aid literacy.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Counseling, Student Services, Social Work, or related field or a combination of education, experience, and training.
- Experience in school or college counseling, financial aid activities, or related field.
- Bilingual ability specifically with Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin Chinese.
OTHER POSITION DETAILS
- This position may require some evening and weekend hours as well as occasional travel.
- This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, up to 2 remote days per week depending on peak seasons.
- We will hire up to 2 positions from the recruitment.
SALARY RANGE
Up to $45,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
HOURS PER WEEK: 40
RESTRICTED POSITION: No
ORP ELIGIBLE: No
FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT: Hybrid
UNIVERSITY JOB TITLE: 35211N - Student Advisor SS 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Benjamin Sties
Contact Email: stiesbr@vcu.edu
POSTING OPENS: 11/5/26
POSTING CLOSES: 11/18/26 at 11:55PM
See all 33+ OPT Financial Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Financial Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Financial Counselor
Target mission-driven employers first
Nonprofits, credit unions, and hospital systems hire Financial Counselors regularly and tend to have established OPT sponsorship processes. These organizations often value candidates who stay long-term, making them more willing to sponsor H-1B visa status after OPT ends.
Align your degree to the role explicitly
Employers and USCIS both need to see that your degree field connects to Financial Counselor work. On your resume and in interviews, explicitly connect your coursework in finance, economics, or behavioral sciences to the counseling and planning tasks the role requires.
Raise sponsorship early in the process
Ask about H-1B sponsorship willingness before accepting an offer, not after. Frame it professionally: explain your OPT timeline, when you'd need sponsorship, and that you're planning ahead. Employers respect candidates who are transparent and organized about their authorization situation.
Obtain relevant certifications before you apply
Credentials like the AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) or NFCC certification signal professional commitment and reduce employer hesitation around sponsoring a foreign national. Certifications also strengthen the specialty occupation argument USCIS reviews during H-1B adjudication.
Document your client-facing and advisory experience
Financial Counselor roles require demonstrated counseling skills, not just financial knowledge. Internship experience advising clients on budgeting, debt, or benefits strengthens both your application and the specialty occupation case your employer will need to build for H-1B.
Track your OPT end date and plan H-1B timing carefully
H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed by April 1 for an October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October, ask your employer about cap-gap coverage. STEM OPT extension is not available for most Financial Counselor roles unless your degree qualifies.
Financial Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Financial Counselor role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between the degree field and the job duties. A Financial Counselor position supported by a finance, economics, or social work degree, with job duties requiring that specific knowledge, generally meets the specialty occupation standard. Generic counselor titles at employers where any bachelor's degree suffices are harder to support.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT students for Financial Counselor positions?
Hospital systems, nonprofit credit counseling agencies, and large credit unions are the most reliable sponsors because they hire Financial Counselors at scale and often have existing immigration infrastructure. Government employers and large financial institutions also hire for this role, though government positions typically require U.S. citizenship. You can browse OPT-friendly Financial Counselor openings directly on Migrate Mate.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Financial Counselor jobs?
Rarely. STEM OPT requires a degree in a qualifying STEM field, and most Financial Counselor roles are supported by degrees in finance, economics, or social work, which do not appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. If your degree is in a STEM-adjacent area like financial mathematics or data analytics, check your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
What should I say to an employer who has never sponsored an OPT student before?
Explain clearly that OPT is a federal work authorization already granted to you, requiring no employer petition or cost upfront. The employer's only obligation initially is to verify your EAD and complete the I-9. Sponsorship only becomes relevant if they want to hire you long-term on H-1B. Framing OPT and H-1B as two separate, sequential steps tends to reduce employer anxiety significantly.
How does the 60-day grace period affect my job search as a Financial Counselor on OPT?
If your OPT employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new authorized position, transfer to another visa status, or depart the U.S. You cannot work during this period. Because Financial Counselor hiring timelines at nonprofits and hospitals can run four to eight weeks, start your search before your current role ends to avoid running out of time.