Financial Aid Advisor

Department
Financial Aid

Position Summary

The Enrollment Management Division at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) brings together the functions of Admissions, Registrar, Testing Center, Orientation, and Financial Aid offices. Together, we recruit, admit and support current undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds. Our offices strive to support every student with quality and intentional services during their college career.

Our vision is rooted in a commitment to attract, enroll, retain, and graduate an empowered student body. We are a student-centered, evidence-based, technology-driven division that collaborates with internal and external partners to support the university’s mission and commitment to access, academic quality, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Financial Aid Advisor develops a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid topics to counsel students and parents about receiving financial aid at MSU Denver. The Financial Aid Advisor also administers a student portfolio to ensure timely processing Verification, C-Codes, Professional Judgement and Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, Dependency Overrides, R2T4, loan processing and other key processes to help students finance their education. The Enrollment Management Division supports and engages in Anti-Racism efforts to increase equity and access to an MSU Denver education.

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Duties/Responsibilities

Provides professional advising services

• The Financial Aid Advisor works with prospective students and their families, continuing students, and members of the MSU Denver community to understand the financial aid process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal/state institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of financial aid topics including but not limited to: cost of attendance, federal need analysis, award packaging, type of aid offered, how to apply for outside scholarships, receiving outside resources, payment options, completing loan applications, loan certification, billing, disbursement dates, reapplying for aid, withdrawals, satisfactory academic progress, timelines/dates, financial aid policy and procedures, and the responsibility of receiving financial aid.
• Routinely deals with problems and issues of a highly sensitive financial and personal nature, and therefore must exhibit independent judgment, tact and diplomacy, maintain strict confidentiality, and adhere to data sharing regulations. Maintain active, positive relationships with the graduate departments on campus. Participate in financial aid and scholarship outreach events, FAFSA completion events and other on- and off-campus outreach events.
• Financial Aid Advisors are catalysts in supporting students with the financial aid process through various channels, including in person, email, and on the phone. Financial Aid Advisors are expected to support the front desk overflow, including incoming document management.

Determining financial aid eligibility

• Assesses the student’s ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating income and household reported on the FAFSA or CASFA, federal tax returns, and other financial documents. Must be able to explain complex financial aid calculations and the results and rationale behind financial aid awarding in a simple and easy to understand manner to students. When requested the Financial Aid Advisor assesses documented changes in financial circumstances that occur in a student’s situation during the course of an academic year and exercises professional judgment in making adjustments to data elements in the formula that determines the student’s ability to pay for the cost of attendance. Problem solving for aid applicants include reviewing Professional Judgement and Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, resolving FAFSA comment codes and rejects, verification review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards.

Evaluating and identifying issues and problem-solving student application data discrepancies

• Problem solving for aid applicants include resolving FAFSA comment codes and rejects, verification and file review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards, professional judgment appeals, monitoring students satisfactory academic progress.

Continues professional development

• The Financial Aid Advisor must actively keep up to date on state and federal regulations as well as internal policies and procedures to ensure accurate and efficient interpretation of information and to ensure program compliance. The Financial Aid Advisor must be able to handle numerous complex tasks with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. The Financial Aid Advisor works as a team member with the other Financial Aid Advisors to deliver high quality service to stakeholders on campus, students and their families.
• Support and engage in Anti-Racism efforts pursued by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Enrollment Management Division

Project Management

• Assist in the creation and management of office initiatives, including special projects.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in conflict resolution and human relations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong time management skills
• Experience with coordination and event planning
• The position requires proficiency with standard MS Office software applications

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates Degree or 2 years working in financial aid as a student or regular employee
• Proficiency with Banner or similar financial aid software
• Expertise in federal and institutional need analysis, interpreting and analyzing income and assets, and knowledge of professional judgment techniques is preferred.
• Experience resolving data integrity issues and discrepancies within Banner is preferred
• Expert knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines, and procedures
• Experience working with both traditional and online programs

Work Hours

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, Exempt
• Monday – Friday 8-5 with some weekends and late evenings required.
• Hybrid schedule is available but can be subject to change based on program and institutional needs
• Travel: N/A

Salary for Announcement

The minimum of the pay range for this position is $40,000. We anticipate the qualified candidate to be placed between $47,300 – $48,100. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. Additionally, Student Affairs has committed to tying our salaries to an understanding of a living wage. To that end, we will not pay less than $47,300.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Full Consideration Date

Complete applications received by August 21, 2024 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, however applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled.

Instructions to Apply

For full consideration, please submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

If you are an Internal applicant, please apply via the Career tab within the WorkDay Menu

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting Representative
Carlos Alcala

Posting Representative Email
calcala1@msudenver.edu

Benefits

The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.