Financial Aid Administrator Senior/Intermediate

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled candidate with expertise administering financial aid in complex, unique and mitigating student situations.  The Financial Aid Administrator evaluates student aid application compliance, utilizes autonomous professional judgment, determines eligibility for various financial aid programs, counsels and advises students and families on the available financial aid options, coordinates one or more federal, state or institutional financial aid programs, and is responsible for data integrity and record maintenance.

Counselors within the Office of Financial Aid have different areas of emphasis. All counselors are expected to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative proficiency, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, understanding of diversity, and critical thinking skills. Competent administration of the aid process in a highly complex and regulated environment will be essential.  Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills are also essential in providing quality customer service to students, families and campus partners via phone, email, virtual and in-person connections. Counselors in the Outreach Unit must also possess strong public speaking skills.

The general salary range is $45,000 to $49,000 for the Intermediate level, and $50,000 to $55,000 for the Senior level. Factors used to determine salary and level include knowledge, skills, and previous financial aid experience. Candidates with financial aid experience may be considered at the senior level. You are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process. 

Who We Are

The University of Michigan is a premier public research university with over 52,000 students including more than 33,000 undergraduates, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and affordability. U-M is in high demand having received nearly 93,000 undergraduate first-year and transfer applications in the fall of 2023 and enrolling 8,800 incoming students.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. The division collaborates with campus partners, faculty, and staff, in support of the university's mission and commitment to academic quality, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members, and up to 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to diverse and inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*

• Evaluate financial aid applications: Review application documents including comprehensive and complex family financial statements, federal tax returns, and additional supporting material of a confidential nature.  Evaluate when additional information is necessary.  Interpret application materials for use in needs analysis methodologies.
• Authorize financial aid offers: Assess eligibility for a multitude of financial aid programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid and authorize aid for which the student is eligible, ensuring compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, and laws.
• Develop and manage assigned financial aid programs, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies, including awarding, policy and procedure documentation, process innovation, and staff updates/training as needed.
• Counsel and advise students and family (individually and in groups) on financial aid programs, policies and procedures.  Assist students in making responsible financial decisions.  Liaison with and refer students to other UM offices and outside agencies as appropriate.
• Autonomously exercise professional judgment to resolve complex, unusual and mitigating family circumstances and amend aid eligibility. Professional Judgment determinations enter into all aspects of the Financial Aid Administrator position.
• Liaison with assigned university offices as a subject-area expert:  Coordinate, develop and present requested educational programming.  Participate on and inform internal and external university committees.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of and interpret Federal Title IV regulation and guidance, state program directives, institutional awarding policies, needs analysis methodologies, federal and state tax law, and office policies and procedures.
• Retain and update complete working knowledge of aid management software.  Advise on software concerns.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid at professional conferences and workshops internal and external to the University of Michigan as a subject-area expert.
• Assist in other areas as assigned by the unit Associate or Assistant Directors.
• This position may require travel to events and workshops.  Any required travel will be subject to U-M restrictions, pending public health guidelines.

In addition to responsibilities above, Outreach Counselors will travel to deliver financial aid presentations designed to address affordability and expand access (peak travel in fall and spring). Any required travel will be subject to U-M restrictions, pending public health guidelines.

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary. 
• Ability to make independent decisions, appropriately utilize professional judgment and to interpret federal/state/institutional regulations/policies/procedures a must.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, stay on task, and the ability to prioritize required work to meet deadlines. Two years of experience in financial aid or closely related field is required. Some experience in counseling and/or student services.
• High level of communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Additional required qualifications for Outreach counselors include:

• Excellent facilitation of presentations and strong public speaking skills
• Overnight travel, evening, and weekend work is required. Ability to travel on short notice is necessary at times.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with students and colleagues from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
• Bilingual, with a preference for Spanish and English speaking skills.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. Applicants with less experience are encouraged to apply. 

Additional Information

Benefits at the University of Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate
• vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

This position may be eligible for flexible work opportunities at the discretion of the hiring department.  Flexible work agreements are reviewed each term and subject to change dependent on the business needs throughout the course of employment.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.