Student Finance Counselor 2

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Position Summary
The Student Financial Aid Counselor 2 serves as an experienced financial aid professional responsible for administering financial aid programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing scholarship funding, and providing comprehensive counseling to students and families. This position requires in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations; strong analytical skills; and the ability to independently resolve complex and time-sensitive issues.

The counselor functions as a subject matter expert within the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and plays a key role in compliance oversight, scholarship administration, withdrawal processing, and continuous improvement of business processes to support student success.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Aid Processing & Compliance

• Research, interpret, and remain current on university, state, federal, and external agency rules and regulations to ensure operational compliance.
• Recommend policy and procedural changes; develop and implement business processes that align with compliance requirements.
• Assist with the annual review of state and federal regulatory changes and apply updates to internal policies and procedures.
• Thoroughly research and respond to time-sensitive and complex financial aid issues.
• Accurately review, compare, and correct FAFSA data using submitted tax documentation in accordance with federal verification policies and procedures.
• Exercise professional judgment when reviewing and evaluating verification records for students and parents.
• Evaluate and analyze financial information submitted by applicants to determine eligibility for financial assistance, including type and amount of aid awarded, in accordance with federal, state, and university guidelines.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve discrepancies, unusual award packages, and complex financial aid records.
• Test, analyze, and validate data to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Scholarship Administration

• Implement, coordinate, direct, and maintain donor-funded and foundation scholarships.
• Monitor scholarship eligibility, funding allocations, and compliance with institutional and external requirements.

Official & Unofficial Withdrawal Processing

• Monitor, evaluate, and review daily reports identifying students who change enrollment levels, officially withdraw, or unofficially withdraw.
• Calculate Return to Title IV (R2T4) and related eligibility adjustments based on the prorated percentage of earned and unearned aid.
• Manually process and adjust financial aid eligibility in PeopleSoft in accordance with federal regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate adjustments to prevent compliance risk and institutional liability.

Student Counseling & Advising

• Independently counsel and advise current and former students, parents, faculty, staff, collegiate units, third parties, and the public via phone, email, in-person appointments, and virtual meetings (Zoom).
• Clearly explain:
  • Financial aid eligibility requirements
  • Cost of attendance components
  • Disbursement processes
  • Differences and benefits of various aid types (grants, scholarships, loans, work-study)
  • Student Aid Index (SAI)/Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) methodologies
• Provide in-depth guidance on loan options, debt management strategies, and program-specific financial aid matters.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least six years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a university financial aid office.
• Advanced knowledge of federal Title IV regulations.
• Experience managing scholarship programs or restricted funding.
• Experience counseling diverse student populations.

Pay Range: $22.75 - $26.00 per hour, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given 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.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume

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.

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

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).