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 JobsFinancial Aid Office
Central Connecticut State University invites applications to join the Financial Aid Office as a full-time Financial Aid Counselor. We seek applicants who are committed to student success, enjoy working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, and are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping students and families navigate the financial aid process while supporting access to higher education.
Central Connecticut State University is the first publicly funded university in the state. As we recently celebrated 175 years of academic excellence and innovation.
About CCSU’s Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office is committed to removing financial barriers and promoting student success by providing accurate, timely, and student-centered financial aid services. The office administers more than $100 million annually in federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs, serving a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students. Staff members work collaboratively with campus partners to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while delivering exceptional customer service through counseling, outreach, financial literacy initiatives, and enrollment support.
Position Profile
Provides operational support to the Financial Aid Office, with a focus on assisting with the review and processing of financial aid paperwork and providing information to a variety of individuals regarding financial aid, payment plans, and student aid eligibility.
Supervision Exercised
Not applicable
Responsibilities
- Assists with counseling students, parents or guardians regarding financial aid assistance/eligibility.
- Assists office staff in the administration of financial aid regarding federal, state, institutional and private funds encompassing grants, loans and scholarships.
- Assists with awarding student financial aid to eligible applicants by verifying and reviewing applications.
- Completes Federal financial aid Title IV refund calculations.
- Conducts informational sessions regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs and awards.
- Assists with counseling students about financial literacy and debt management.
- Responds to walk-in visitors and telephone inquiries regarding financial aid programs and eligibility as needed.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.
Applicant Evaluative Criteria
Applicant profiles and supplementary materials will be evaluated for appointment based on the following:
Education:
All applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Experience and Training:
- Two years of financial aid office work experience.
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex information, effectively organize and manage detailed work and manage multiple priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and share information effectively with a variety of people and groups.
- Demonstrated experience using financial aid ERP systems, document imaging systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be considered.
Ideal Candidate
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
- Experience working in higher education, preferably in a financial aid office.
- Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations and state financial aid programs.
- Experience using Ellucian Banner, Hyland OnBase, or comparable student information and document imaging systems.
- Experience presenting information to students, families, or community groups.
To Apply
To begin the application process, electronically submit the following documents by August 31, 2026. Please be sure that you explicitly discuss how your experience and skills match each required and preferred qualification. Please be aware that additional material may be required if selected for interview.
- Letter of interest addressing the qualifications for this position.
- Current Résumé
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. E-mailed and mailed applications will not be accepted. Please redact any personally identifiable information (i.e., Social Security Number, date of birth, marital status, country of origin) from any documents submitted.
Inquiries may be sent to Kelly Perrotti, Search Committee Chair, at 860-832-2273 or K.perrotti@ccsu.edu.
Compensation and Employee Benefits
The Financial Aid Counselor is compensated at the Administrator 2 salary level in accordance with the State University Organization of Administrative Faculty (SUOAF) Collective Bargaining Union Agreement.
For more information
The State of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University are proud to offer its employees competitive wages and a wide range of fringe benefits including voluntary and supplemental benefits.
Fringe benefits include: paid personal, vacation and sick leave accruals; medical, dental, and prescription plans; group life insurance; retirement; retiree health care; tuition waiver for employee and eligible dependents at any of the Connecticut State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern or Western) as well as an array of voluntary and supplemental benefits such as Deferred Retirement Contribution plans, Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Flexible spending accounts; long and short term disability insurance plans.
As an affirmative action employer, Central Connecticut State University actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Financial Aid Office
Central Connecticut State University invites applications to join the Financial Aid Office as a full-time Financial Aid Counselor. We seek applicants who are committed to student success, enjoy working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, and are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping students and families navigate the financial aid process while supporting access to higher education.
Central Connecticut State University is the first publicly funded university in the state. As we recently celebrated 175 years of academic excellence and innovation.
About CCSU’s Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office is committed to removing financial barriers and promoting student success by providing accurate, timely, and student-centered financial aid services. The office administers more than $100 million annually in federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs, serving a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students. Staff members work collaboratively with campus partners to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while delivering exceptional customer service through counseling, outreach, financial literacy initiatives, and enrollment support.
Position Profile
Provides operational support to the Financial Aid Office, with a focus on assisting with the review and processing of financial aid paperwork and providing information to a variety of individuals regarding financial aid, payment plans, and student aid eligibility.
Supervision Exercised
Not applicable
Responsibilities
- Assists with counseling students, parents or guardians regarding financial aid assistance/eligibility.
- Assists office staff in the administration of financial aid regarding federal, state, institutional and private funds encompassing grants, loans and scholarships.
- Assists with awarding student financial aid to eligible applicants by verifying and reviewing applications.
- Completes Federal financial aid Title IV refund calculations.
- Conducts informational sessions regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs and awards.
- Assists with counseling students about financial literacy and debt management.
- Responds to walk-in visitors and telephone inquiries regarding financial aid programs and eligibility as needed.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those above which do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.
Applicant Evaluative Criteria
Applicant profiles and supplementary materials will be evaluated for appointment based on the following:
Education:
All applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Experience and Training:
- Two years of financial aid office work experience.
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex information, effectively organize and manage detailed work and manage multiple priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and share information effectively with a variety of people and groups.
- Demonstrated experience using financial aid ERP systems, document imaging systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be considered.
Ideal Candidate
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
- Experience working in higher education, preferably in a financial aid office.
- Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations and state financial aid programs.
- Experience using Ellucian Banner, Hyland OnBase, or comparable student information and document imaging systems.
- Experience presenting information to students, families, or community groups.
To Apply
To begin the application process, electronically submit the following documents by August 31, 2026. Please be sure that you explicitly discuss how your experience and skills match each required and preferred qualification. Please be aware that additional material may be required if selected for interview.
- Letter of interest addressing the qualifications for this position.
- Current Résumé
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. E-mailed and mailed applications will not be accepted. Please redact any personally identifiable information (i.e., Social Security Number, date of birth, marital status, country of origin) from any documents submitted.
Inquiries may be sent to Kelly Perrotti, Search Committee Chair, at 860-832-2273 or K.perrotti@ccsu.edu.
Compensation and Employee Benefits
The Financial Aid Counselor is compensated at the Administrator 2 salary level in accordance with the State University Organization of Administrative Faculty (SUOAF) Collective Bargaining Union Agreement.
For more information
The State of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University are proud to offer its employees competitive wages and a wide range of fringe benefits including voluntary and supplemental benefits.
Fringe benefits include: paid personal, vacation and sick leave accruals; medical, dental, and prescription plans; group life insurance; retirement; retiree health care; tuition waiver for employee and eligible dependents at any of the Connecticut State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern or Western) as well as an array of voluntary and supplemental benefits such as Deferred Retirement Contribution plans, Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Flexible spending accounts; long and short term disability insurance plans.
As an affirmative action employer, Central Connecticut State University actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
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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.