Financial Aid Counselor Job at University of Northern Colorado
Position Title
Financial Aid Counselor
Department
Financial Aid
FTE
1.0
FLSA
Exempt
Job Type
Full-Time
Job EEO Category
Executive/Administrative/Managerial
UNC Background
Our University
Founded in 1889, as the State Normal School of Colorado and tucked between the Rocky Mountains and Colorado’s stunning high plains, the University of Northern Colorado has grown from its roots as a teacher’s college into an institution with international draw and status.
UNC is a public doctoral research university that strives to cultivate the unique potential of each of its approximately 9,000 students and is positioned to advance knowledge through discovery because of its just-right size, expert faculty and tradition of research and hands-on learning. By immersing students in innovative teaching and research methods in the classroom and in the field, UNC provides its students with an exceptional educational experience. UNC’s talented and dedicated faculty are housed in its five colleges: Education and Behavioral Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business; Natural and Health Sciences; and Performing and Visual Arts.
Acclaimed for its expertise in a broad array of academic disciplines, UNC offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and 120 graduate programs on campus, off campus and online. Undergraduate students study in a liberal arts tradition that supports them in exploring broadly, making connections, thinking critically, and using what they learn to make a difference in the world around them. UNC also offers more than 60 extended campus programs throughout the state and online, meeting an increasing demand among adult learners and working students in industry-relevant disciplines. Of UNC’s 120 graduate programs, almost half are taught at satellite locations or online. Research, scholarship, and creative works are essential components of academic life for both faculty and students at UNC. Many undergraduate degree programs require a research experience and most graduate programs require a thesis, capstone project, or dissertation. UNC faculty purposefully connect research and teaching by bringing what they learn from their research into the courses they teach and by inviting students to join their work. Faculty and student work on research, scholarship, and creative works focuses on knowledge creation as well as the application of knowledge to solve real world problems. Surveys of current and former students show that they value these relationships and see them as one of the primary benefits of attending UNC.
There is no typical UNC student. UNC prides itself on being a university where students do not have to conform in order to belong. Whatever their unique talents may be, UNC helps students reach their fullest potential. The university prepares students not only to have successful careers, but also to lead fulfilling lives, engage in intelligent public discourse, participate in government, and thrive in a changing, global world. UNC has a long history of serving students who are often underrepresented at research universities. More than 40% of UNC undergraduates are the first in their family to go to college, one third are underrepresented minorities, and more than one-quarter are eligible for federal need-based financial aid.
There is no typical UNC student. UNC prides itself on being a university where students do not have to conform in order to belong. Whatever their unique talents may be, UNC helps students reach their fullest potential. The university prepares students not only to have successful careers, but also to lead fulfilling lives, engage in intelligent public discourse, participate in government, and thrive in a changing, global world. UNC has a long history of serving students who are often underrepresented at research universities. More than 40% of UNC undergraduates are the first in their family to go to college, one third are underrepresented minorities, and more than one-quarter are eligible for federal need-based financial aid.
Linked to our community since we were founded in 1889, UNC is an important part of the Greeley community and works to actively foster a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with our city and its residents. Greeley is a warm and welcoming place and a location we are proud to call our home. Recently ranked as the fourth fastest growing Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States, Greeley is a community on the move where a robust economy offers a number of enriching opportunities to residents of all ages.
Our Direction: Rowing, Not Drifting 2030
Our strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030, brings to life our vision for the university which takes shape in the form of our vision statement, five vision elements, and outcomes that serve as the foundation in support of and in service to UNC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community. It guides the work of our five phases over the next decade, as well as the implementation of our supporting key actions and tactics.
The five vision elements that serve as our foundation are:
- Students First: We exist to transform the lives of our students. We focus on all aspects of their success by making intentional decisions to meet their needs and the needs of our community.
- Empower Inclusivity: The diversity within our university and state is a distinct advantage that we celebrate and nurture. We ensure learning occurs through meaningful discussion of shared and different experiences, viewpoints, and ideas.
- Enhance & Invest: The success of students relies on a healthy and strong team. We provide our staff and faculty with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. We foster an environment where their individual well-being and sense of belonging are vital to our collective success.
- Innovate & Create: Learning occurs through critical inquiry, discovery, and creation. We leverage technology and capitalize on opportunities to innovate and improve instruction. We anticipate and address societal needs by transforming the campus into a creative laboratory that asks questions, solves problems, and shapes Colorado’s future.
- Connect & Celebrate: Strong community connections provide authentic learning experiences and reciprocal partnerships and collaborations. We set the standard for how engaged universities enrich the lives of those on campus, throughout Colorado, and beyond.
Our Imperatives: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
UNC is dedicated to strengthening and advancing our collective work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to become a Hispanic Serving Institution. As a diverse team, we develop and learn more together. We value the individuality of each person and recognize how diversity enhances our campus. When you join the UNC family, you can expect to be part of a growing inclusive, innovative, and equity-minded community that expects intentional collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and local partners.
Physical Demands
- Position requires sitting at a desk and working on a computer for great periods of time
- Standing for various periods of time throughout the day.
- Periodic travel is required.
- Must be able to carry objects to outreach activities such as a lap top computer and boxes of materials.
Job Summary
This position exists to serve students and families by educating them about financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to ensure that they meet their academic goals. The position advises and counsels students, prospective students and parents concerning available aid and scholarships, the application process and responsible utilization of financial aid funds, ensuring the information is accurate and up to date and provides leadership and support to the counseling staff . The position distributes federal, state, institutional, and private funds to all students who meet program eligibility requirements. The practice of empathy, community building, civility, recognition and exceptional customer service are key components of this position. The position will advise students, prospective students and parents concerning available scholarships and other forms of aid and the application process.
Program Administration (57%)
Program Administration (57%)
Communicate with various University departments and external organizations on a daily basis in order to process scholarships and awards including but not limited to:
- Manage the Employee/Dependent and CSU Tuition Grant programs by working with internal staff and clients to ensure proper and timely posting is credited to billing accounts. Process includes generating reports thru Insight to verify correct funding applied, posting accurate award amounts and adjusting financial aid awards when tuition grant causes overawards.
- Manage, in coordination and collaboration with the Graduate School, the eligibility, posting, and adjusting of GA/TA awards. Review for overawards, budgets, and other eligibility issues
- Manage the Housing and Resident Life grant programs. Post grants to students award package based on eligibility. Determine if housing award creates overaward and requires adjustment to financial aid award as needed.
- Manage the Denver Scholarship Fund by working with DSF to create budgets, post/adjust scholarship award based on student eligibility and function as the primary student liaison.
Client Services (33%)
- Counsel students and parents with regard to the financial aid and the UNC scholarship process. Provide accurate information and timely processing of files.
- Explain policy and procedures to internal and external constituents.
- Disseminate accurate, courteous and timely information.
Community Development (5%)
- Represent the Office of Financial Aid and UNC in various activities both internal and external to the University. These include, but are not limited to, Preview Days, Freshmen and Transfer Student Orientations, high school financial aid presentations, financial aid nights and assignments as requested.
Policy Development (5%)
- Assist the OFA Leadership in development and implementation of financial aid policy by providing input and feedback to assist in meeting the goals of the office.
- Review federal regulatory changes to determine need for and recommend new departmental policies to remain in compliance.
- Create and update procedures for assigned duties as well as other areas as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- Computer skills are necessary
- Excellent oral and written skills are also a necessity for effective communication
- Must also have the ability to address diverse issues with respect to Professional Judgment Appeals
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- An employee needs to experience at least one academic year of the financial aid cycle in order to understand all aspects of the job. Issues regarding scheduled disbursement of funds, workflow cycles, scheduled compliance requirements with outside organizations, and the diverse student population are all examples of the issues that can only be learned through experience.
- Two years of financial aid experience is preferred
- This position must demonstrate a high level of aid processing skills with attention to detail and an understanding of institutional, state and federal regulations
Organizational Location
University of Northern Colorado
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
E01674
Position Number
E99844 and E98993
Desired Start Date
11/28/2022
Open Date
10/25/2022
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of references electronically.
Salary and Benefits
Salary is $42,741 and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans. Dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.
Additional Requirements and Information
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
Required Notice: In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online (https://www.unco.edu/police/clery/security-report.aspx) and a paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.
AAEO Employer
Required Notice: In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online (https://www.unco.edu/police/clery/security-report.aspx) and a paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.
AAEO Employer
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- List of References
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