Financial Aid Counselor (2-year temporary position)

This position serves as the primary financial aid coordinator for designated professional schools, colleges and Graduate students from across the University. This position serves as the principal contact for questions related to the financial aid records of professional students that come from students, departmental staff, and One Stop Student Services. This position provides expertise in aid awarding, aid adjustments, and borrower-based loan awarding. This position involves considerable student counseling and support via email, phone calls, one-one appointments, orientations, and outreach.

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

For further information about flexible work arrangements, please visit this link: https://hr.umn.edu/Employees/Current-Employees/Work-Flexibility/Overview-Work-Flexibility

*This is a 2-year temporary position.*

Essential Job Functions

Financial Aid Counselor for Professional Programs and Graduate Students (80%)

• Review records for students in professional programs and graduate students: adjust budgets and aid for federal, state, University, and private aid programs.
• Advise professional program staff and graduate program staff on current federal, state, and University financial aid policies.
• Work with various administrative staff for the professional programs and graduate student staff to coordinate the awarding of scholarships, grants, Health Professions Loan, tuition waivers, and other awards.
• Serve as a principal contact for One Stop Student Services and Office of Student Finance staff for questions related to professional and graduate programs and financial aid.
• Serve as the principal contact for students in designated programs in relation to financial aid.
• Provide research and respond to elevated and complicated student situations.
• Respond to financial aid inquiries related to students in these programs via phone, email, in-person appointments, and outreach.
• Provide financial aid outreach for current and prospective professional program and graduate students
• Provide orientation sessions for new students as needed in graduate and professional programs.
• Provide assistance to evaluate and process institutional emergency grants for all professional and graduate students.
• Responsible for staying informed of changing program requirements from designated professional and graduate programs, and facilitating appropriate changes in aid processing.
• Award and adjust federal, state, University, and private aid awards in accordance with federal, state, and University policies.
• Provide financial aid counseling to graduate and professional students in all careers. This includes: in-person appointments, orientations, emails (SalesForce and personal), phone calls, and outreach for designated professional program(s).
• Process daily financial aid queries for the Graduate and Professional Unit within the Office of Student Finance. Understand and apply all guidelines, policies, and regulations in making appropriate adjustments to students' records. Queries may include: budget queries, manual packaging queries, Satisfactory Academic Progress queries, NEDEU, tuition benefits, non-resident tuition waivers, Regents Scholarships, Student Financial Transactions, and payroll fellowships.
• Apply professional judgment and processes financial aid appeals, which include: Cost of Attendance appeals, Professional Educational Development appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.
• Process study abroad cost estimate forms for graduate and professional students.

Graduate and Professional Financial Aid Report Processing (20%)

• Process private loan applications from students in graduate/professional careers.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid-IT to develop new queries or tweak existing queries, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least four years of relevant experience, or Master's degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
• Orientation to detail and the ability to handle high volume processing while adapting to changing priorities.
• Must have effective communication, customer service, and time management skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft suite (Excel and Word), and Google Suite.

Preferred Qualifications (Core Competencies)

• Knowledge of University, state, and federal financial aid regulations and familiarity with University of Minnesota policies and procedures.
• Understanding of and experience with PeopleSoft Student Financial processing, Salesforce, and the Federal Needs Analysis formula.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Master's degree and additional years of experience preferred.

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

The Office of Student Finance (OSF) manages the entire lifecycle of student finances for all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financial aid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination, and disbursement of financial aid as well as billing, accounts receivable, student loan entrance and exit interviews, and loan and account collections.

Pay Range: $55,000 - $60,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

The priority application deadline is January 20, 2025.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).