Financial Aid Advisor
Metropolitan State University of Denver•Denver, CO
About The Position
The Financial Aid Advisor provides comprehensive financial aid advising and support to prospective, current, transfer, and graduate students. The position evaluates eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs; resolves complex financial aid issues; and provides personalized guidance throughout the student aid process. The Advisor exercises professional judgment, interprets financial aid regulations, and collaborates with campus partners to promote access, persistence, and student success. This is a temporary, 9-month appointment with a required 3-month break in employment. It is not benefits-eligible and requires enrollment in a PERA retirement account. The hourly rate is $24.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- One year of professional financial aid experience; or two years of student employment experience in a Financial Aid Office; or two years of experience in higher education, financial services, or a related field requiring analytical and customer service skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and procedures and exercise sound judgment.
- Demonstrated commitment to customer service and student success.
- Knowledge of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Ellucian Banner and/or Workday Student.
- Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations.
- Experience with financial aid eligibility reviews, verification, appeals, and compliance.
- Experience administering scholarship programs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience working in a high-volume, customer-focused environment.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams and departments.
Responsibilities
- Advise students and families on financial aid programs, application processes, eligibility requirements, funding options, and financial literacy.
- Review FAFSA, CASFA, verification documents, tax records, and supporting documentation to determine aid eligibility.
- Resolve FAFSA comment codes, rejects, verification issues, conflicting information, and over-awards.
- Evaluate Professional Judgment requests, special circumstances, dependency overrides, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals.
- Process award revisions, budget adjustments, loan certifications, and other financial aid transactions.
- Explain financial aid policies, regulations, and award determinations in a clear, student-centered manner.
- Monitor and respond to financial aid and scholarship inquiries.
- Support scholarship administration, including awarding, check processing, batch postings, eligibility reviews, and application cycle management.
- Participate in outreach programs, FAFSA/CASFA completion events, workshops, orientations, and student recruitment initiatives.
- Provide front-line customer service through in-person, phone, email, and virtual communications.
- Help students navigate financial barriers to enrollment and academic success to support retention and completion.
- Support daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Process financial aid workflows, including eligibility reviews, loan adjustments, and scholarship-related activities.
- Assist with compliance monitoring, Pell reviews, SORs, FAPROs, Excess Credit reviews, and R2T4 processing.
- Maintain accurate records, tracking reports, and documentation.
- Monitor scholarship programs, donor-funded awards, Institutional Need Grant Program (INPG) requirements, and other institutional aid initiatives.
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management and campus partners to improve processes, service delivery, and operational efficiency.
- Assist with special projects and departmental initiatives as assigned.
- Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and best practices.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and required training.
- Ensure consistent application of policies and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement and exceptional student service.
Benefits
- This temporary position is not benefits-eligible.
- The University benefits package is described as offering medical, vision, and dental coverage; a free RTD pass; tuition reimbursement; life and supplemental insurance plans; retirement plans; and access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan.
