Financial Aid Advisor

Salary/Position Classification

• $44,300+ dependent on experience & qualifications annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position works onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

Provide the administrative support required to operate an efficient office, fulfill the primary mission of Student Finance by providing information and services to undergraduate, graduate, law and professional students who require financial assistance in order to attend the University of North Dakota, and maintain compliance with Federal, State and University policies and regulations governing eligibility and disbursement of educational financial aid.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Process and Appeals
  • Coordinate and run system processes for SAP for Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional students
    • Review student files to ensure students are meeting academic standards and progressing towards a degree per federal requirements and communicate with those who are not
    • Coordinate with the Registrar’s Office processes, including timing of collaborative enrollment, grades, and GPA recalculations.
    • Maintain records for research and follow up as needed. o Review SAP petitions to determine compliance or eligibility for an exception to regulations.
    • Assign, monitor, and manage academic plans of study for students
  • Regularly monitor and manually evaluate students who have completed a FAFSA and have been aid year activated after the last SAP evaluation to ensure their eligibility for Federal Aid
  • Conduct training and outreach with One-Stop as well as the campus community about SAP requirements
  • Maintain written policy and procedures in compliance with Federal requirements, including reviewing Federal and institutional regulations for updates or revision.
  • Review policy and procedures annually, or as needed due to federal regulation changes, per Federal Handbook.
  • Manage SAP form templates 
• Manage and Process Departmental Grant & Tuition Remission
  • Process department grant awards • Work with UND departments to ensure reporting forms are completed accurately and timely.
  • Verify item type is setup with the correct fund number and project number.
  • Request new item type from Assistant Director of Systems if new item type is needed.
  • Monitor disbursement of awards. 
• Provide direct assistance to students/families applying for educational financial assistance- Lead Student Appointment Advisor
  • Provide professional advising services: work with prospective traditional and online education program students, and continuing students in a personalized way on the financial aid application process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal, state and institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
  • Provide information to applicants related to educational financial planning and management.
  • Review and analyze requests for financial aid based on special circumstances using professional judgment to evaluate and reach a decision on the appropriate course of action.
  • Communicate decisions to students and parents, informing them of the types and amounts of aid to be given or of the denial of a request.
  • Act as a resource for guidance when applicants and/or other service professionals have specific questions concerning application for educational financial assistance.
  • Assist students who may experience 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 FERPA regulations.
  • Maintain knowledge of policies of other departments (Registrar’s Office, Student Account Services, Human Resources, Athletics, Admissions, etc.) and understand the impact of them on a student’s financial aid eligibility. 
• Process Financial Aid Requests 
  • Process Student Financial Aid Change Requests
  • Process Short Term Loan requests
  • Review staff documentation sheets and make adjustments as necessary to private grants and federal aid. 
• Liaison with Study Abroad programs
  • Advise students interested in study abroad opportunities on financial aid options.
  • Develop written policy and procedures for establishing eligibility for study abroad financial aid assistance.
  • Coordinate with appropriate department personnel to meet the needs of students with these special requests while ensuring compliance with Federal and institutional financial aid options.
  • Coordinate the processing of students’ financial aid requests involving a study abroad program.
  • Conduct Financial Aid training and outreach to campus community.
• Supervise Student Employees
  • Provide guidance and supervision to Student Finance student employees.
  • Approve work hours for student employees
  • Set schedules and job expectations for student employees
  • Communicate with HR on student employment funding and issues. 
• Continuous process improvement
  • Proactively identify, analyze, and improve upon existing business processes within position and/or within SF/One-Stop
  • Use data to identify priorities and monitor outcomes.
  • Work with SF and One-Stop teams to implement and promote process improvements to optimize workflow and student service.

Required Competencies

• Maintain good standing with federal programs to gain access and maintain access to federal databases.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to be receptive to new ideas, cultures, concepts, and technologies.
• Demonstrated acceptance and respect for others’ diversity, abilities, and gifts.
• Demonstrated self-initiative, integrity, and reliability.
• Outgoing personality and ability to display positive demeanor, high-energy and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, problem solve, and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate positive interactions with students and colleagues in the workplace.
• Ability to work independently, manage high-volume caseloads, and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal & organizational skills.
• Ability to model professional behavior, appearance, and job performance in the workplace.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex regulations and policies to a diverse audience, both in one-on-one sessions and group settings.
• Experience working with a team/committee.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain customer confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering excellent service to students, families, and both on- and off-campus constituents.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years experience in a financial aid office, student services or counseling.
• Three years of experience working in an office setting.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Training and/or proven work history on process improvements.
• Two years experience in a university setting.
• Public speaking experience.
• Supervisory experience
• Counseling or advising experience
• Experience with PeopleSoft Student Admin module.
• Experience with Perceptive Content (ImageNow).
• Experience with UND policies and procedures.
• One year experience with Title IV regulations.

To Apply

Please submit resume and cover letter with your application.