Scholarships & Financial Aid Counselor
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84193
Job Summary
Provides professional, timely assistance regarding application completion and processes, general and program eligibility, and financial planning. Evaluates and analyzes information to determine applicants' eligibility for financial assistance and to determine type and amount of aid to be awarded in accordance with established standards and guidelines. Coordinates the awarding of all federal and state student aid funding, and university and/or private scholarships. Ensures compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and procedures. Remains current regarding regulations, policies, and procedures affecting scholarships and financial aid, and conducts work fairly, equitably, and inclusively. Specializes in processing applications, determining eligibility, and analyzing and fielding considerations for special circumstances.
Responsibilities
SERVICE, PROCESSING, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Effectively advances processing and service workloads including delivery of services and processing; adjusts accordingly to ensure balanced, timely, accurate, well-documented, equitable, and inclusive services and processing within benchmarks established by supervisor and/or office management team
Provides timely, accurate, and complete information to students, parents, and colleagues
Determines eligibility for scholarships and financial aid and determines types and amounts to be awarded in accordance with established federal and university standards and guidelines.
Professionally addresses and works toward resolution of complex or novel situations encountered in processing and service work of office
Ensures professional delivery of services, including maintenance of data/information security, privacy, and confidentiality
Follows appropriate records management procedures and complies with recordkeeping and archival requirements
Communicates policies and procedures (including rights and responsibilities) to students, families, and colleagues in an accurate, timely, effective, thorough, equitable, and inclusive manner
Completes multiple complex reports used to monitor and assure service and processing benchmarks, as well as accuracy of eligibility and payments
Serves as subject matter expert and is proactive in advancing processing, service, and eligibility monitoring
DETERMINING STUDENT AND PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Effectively determines and conveys student and program eligibility requirements, particularly pertaining to resolving student/parent inquiries for assistance; ensures appropriate level of investigation to aid in thorough, accurate, and timely responses
Uses appropriate discretion, within regulatory and policy constraints, to carry out and advise on verification, resolution of conflicting information, appeals of student eligibility (e.g., satisfactory academic progress), use of professional judgment/discretion, and appeals for consideration of special circumstances (e.g., change/loss of income, dependency override, one-time non-recurring income, etc.)
Applies verification and appeals policies/requirements accurately, consistently, fairly, and equitably
Assists with development of office-wide policies and procedures and calendars, including ensuring content is current and accurate, and that emerging trends or anomalies are noted appropriately
Monitors and adjusts, as appropriate, student financial aid awards to ensure timeliness and accuracy
REGULATORY AND POLICY ADHERENCE
Maintains access to and a working knowledge of relevant internal and external systems
Ensures clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, and interactions affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable policies
Adheres to all statutory, regulatory, and policy guidance, including office policies and procedures
Maintains privacy and confidentiality of student and family data and information
Maintains security of student records and related information
Actively participates in and contributes to overall office effectiveness
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; PROFESSIONALISM
Maintains current knowledge of policies, rules, regulations, technical standards, and high-impact practices associated with administering and delivering federal, state, institutional, and private programs, and associated systems and emerging technologies
Actively participates in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; meets and communicates clearly with colleagues in similar positions/roles; researches industry practices; shares resulting knowledge and research with management and staff in order to serve well the students and the institution
Ensures area policies and procedures are current and accurate; Provides clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, interactions, and edits to records affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and/or policies
Assists with financial aid outreach events, delivering information and responding to event questions accurately, timely, completely, and professionally
Maintains professional appearance and demeanor, including when engaging students, families, colleagues, and members of the public
Assists in training new employees (permanent and temporary, including interns and graduate assistants), as needed
OVERALL SUPPORT OF OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS
Partners in monitoring and assurance that overall office operations are functional, accessible, efficient, compliant, and free of conflicts of interest
Routinely and thoroughly reviews output and reports for accuracy and compliance
Follows established timelines/calendars for projects/tasks
As needed, serves on and/or oversees various office committees, which may include such functions as communications plan, appeals processes, outreach, personnel, forms and publications, etc.; position may also be asked to serve on Enrollment Management and/or University committees
Advises management of anomalies, trends, or patterns affecting student and program eligibility
Maintains effective working relationships and serves as a resource regarding scholarship and financial aid issues, policies, and procedures
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Executive Director
Collaborates with other employees on office committees regarding policy, procedures, and training opportunities
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Science, or a related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); a minimum of one year of experience in counseling, budgeting, public relations, or computer technology; and demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills required. The ability to work with a diverse population of students, and learn and understand federal and state regulations and financial aid procedures are critical elements of this position.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Prefer previous work experience in a higher education setting.
Job Details
Requisition Number: PRN43819B
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday thru Friday; 8:00 – 5:00 with some weekend and evening work as necessary
Department: 00294 - Financial Aid
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $50,000 - $50,375
Close Date: 3/12/2026
Open Until Filled
To apply: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/194667
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
SERVICE, PROCESSING, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Effectively advances processing and service workloads including delivery of services and processing; adjusts accordingly to ensure balanced, timely, accurate, well-documented, equitable, and inclusive services and processing within benchmarks established by supervisor and/or office management team
Provides timely, accurate, and complete information to students, parents, and colleagues
Determines eligibility for scholarships and financial aid and determines types and amounts to be awarded in accordance with established federal and university standards and guidelines.
Professionally addresses and works toward resolution of complex or novel situations encountered in processing and service work of office
Ensures professional delivery of services, including maintenance of data/information security, privacy, and confidentiality
Follows appropriate records management procedures and complies with recordkeeping and archival requirements
Communicates policies and procedures (including rights and responsibilities) to students, families, and colleagues in an accurate, timely, effective, thorough, equitable, and inclusive manner
Completes multiple complex reports used to monitor and assure service and processing benchmarks, as well as accuracy of eligibility and payments
Serves as subject matter expert and is proactive in advancing processing, service, and eligibility monitoring
DETERMINING STUDENT AND PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Effectively determines and conveys student and program eligibility requirements, particularly pertaining to resolving student/parent inquiries for assistance; ensures appropriate level of investigation to aid in thorough, accurate, and timely responses
Uses appropriate discretion, within regulatory and policy constraints, to carry out and advise on verification, resolution of conflicting information, appeals of student eligibility (e.g., satisfactory academic progress), use of professional judgment/discretion, and appeals for consideration of special circumstances (e.g., change/loss of income, dependency override, one-time non-recurring income, etc.)
Applies verification and appeals policies/requirements accurately, consistently, fairly, and equitably
Assists with development of office-wide policies and procedures and calendars, including ensuring content is current and accurate, and that emerging trends or anomalies are noted appropriately
Monitors and adjusts, as appropriate, student financial aid awards to ensure timeliness and accuracy
REGULATORY AND POLICY ADHERENCE
Maintains access to and a working knowledge of relevant internal and external systems
Ensures clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, and interactions affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable policies
Adheres to all statutory, regulatory, and policy guidance, including office policies and procedures
Maintains privacy and confidentiality of student and family data and information
Maintains security of student records and related information
Actively participates in and contributes to overall office effectiveness
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; PROFESSIONALISM
Maintains current knowledge of policies, rules, regulations, technical standards, and high-impact practices associated with administering and delivering federal, state, institutional, and private programs, and associated systems and emerging technologies
Actively participates in professional meetings, conferences, and workshops; meets and communicates clearly with colleagues in similar positions/roles; researches industry practices; shares resulting knowledge and research with management and staff in order to serve well the students and the institution
Ensures area policies and procedures are current and accurate; Provides clear and accurate documentation of transactions, conversations, interactions, and edits to records affecting student eligibility and/or compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and/or policies
Assists with financial aid outreach events, delivering information and responding to event questions accurately, timely, completely, and professionally
Maintains professional appearance and demeanor, including when engaging students, families, colleagues, and members of the public
Assists in training new employees (permanent and temporary, including interns and graduate assistants), as needed
OVERALL SUPPORT OF OFFICE AND INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS
Partners in monitoring and assurance that overall office operations are functional, accessible, efficient, compliant, and free of conflicts of interest
Routinely and thoroughly reviews output and reports for accuracy and compliance
Follows established timelines/calendars for projects/tasks
As needed, serves on and/or oversees various office committees, which may include such functions as communications plan, appeals processes, outreach, personnel, forms and publications, etc.; position may also be asked to serve on Enrollment Management and/or University committees
Advises management of anomalies, trends, or patterns affecting student and program eligibility
Maintains effective working relationships and serves as a resource regarding scholarship and financial aid issues, policies, and procedures
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Executive Director
Collaborates with other employees on office committees regarding policy, procedures, and training opportunities
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Science, or a related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); a minimum of one year of experience in counseling, budgeting, public relations, or computer technology; and demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills required. The ability to work with a diverse population of students, and learn and understand federal and state regulations and financial aid procedures are critical elements of this position.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Prefer previous work experience in a higher education setting.
Job Details
Requisition Number: PRN43819B
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday thru Friday; 8:00 – 5:00 with some weekend and evening work as necessary
Department: 00294 - Financial Aid
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $50,000 - $50,375
Close Date: 3/12/2026
Open Until Filled
To apply: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/194667
#J-18808-Ljbffr