Financial Aid Advisor (4 Positions)

Posting Number A01699 Position Title Financial Aid Advisor (4 Positions) Position Number E00445 Salary for Announcement
The salary range is $36,500-$47,000.
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.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. MSU Denver offers a full benefits package.

Pay Grade
12 Employee Category Professional staff Department Financial Aid EClass Code Full Time Professional Staff 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 provides advising services, as well as is responsible for reviewing and processing relevant documents. The Financial Aid Advisor evaluates and assesses documented changes in financial circumstances that occur in a student’s family during the course of an academic year, and exercises professional judgment in making adjustments to data elements in the formula that determines students’ ability to pay. The Financial Aid Advisor is instrumental in the development of financial aid programs and will contribute to office policy and procedures, and facilitate trainings associated with their area of expertise.
This posting may fill more than one vacancy.
IND208 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 addresses problems and issues of a highly sensitive financial and personal nature, and therefore must exhibit independent judgement, tact, and diplomacy, maintain confidentiality, and adhere to the FERPA and HEA data sharing regulations.
• 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 a family’s ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating income and assets reported on the FAFSA, CASFA, federal tax returns, W-2’s and other financial documentation. The Financial Aid Advisor is an expert in the area of need analysis, understands the federal and institutional methodologies for awarding, and must be able to explain complex financial aid calculations and the results in a simple and easy to understand manner to students and parents that explains the rationale behind of the awarding process.

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 .
  
  

Other duties as assigned:

• The Financial Aid Advisor will be treated as a professional and is expected to act accordingly. Professional behavior includes, but is not limited to: constant open communication, mutual respect and trust, inclusiveness, teamwork, change and growth, and commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
• Some weeknight/weekend and holiday work is required. The Financial Aid Advisor may travel to present and/or attend financial aid workshops and conferences. Other duties may be assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• General Knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines, and procedure
• Demonstrated skills in conflict resolution, verbal and written communication, time management, and human relations
• Proficiency with standard MS Office software applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Banner or similar financial aid software
• Expertise in federal and institutional need analysis, the ability to interpret and analyze income and assets, and knowledge of professional judgment techniques is preferred.
• bility to resolve data integrity issues in and discrepancies within Banner is preferred.

Work Hours
Monday – Friday 8-5 with some weekends and late evenings required Posting date 08/12/2021 Closing date Closing Instructions Open Until Filled To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) 11/29/2021 Special Instructions to Applicants

IMPORTANT : In order to be considered as an applicant you must apply via the online application system, www.msudenverjobs.com .

References refers to a list of three professional references and their contact information.

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

Talent Team Representative Sophia Montano Talent Team Representative E-mail smontan7@msudenver.edu Benefits
MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link:

Employee Benefits Offerings

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 50% first generation students and over 45% 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.