Financial Aid Counselor 3

Position Summary
This position will be the lead role in the administration of the Federal Direct Loan program in adherence to federal, state and university policies. Expert understanding of other Loan Unit processes, financial aid packaging, cost of attendance, and general financial aid knowledge is also required. Provides necessary support for troubleshooting, and ongoing operations related to the Loan unit. Identifies problems related to loans, defines goals, and proposes solutions in collaboration with the Financial Aid - Information Technology
unit to ensure University of Minnesota priorities are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education.

Analyzes and streamlines current and new business processes to support end-users and Loan unit staff. Manages the reconciliation of Federal Direct loans in adherence to federal, state, and university policies by running queries and making loan adjustments as necessary. A significant amount of financial aid packaging and adjustments are required of this position, which involves professional judgment as records are evaluated and eligibility is determined. This position will provide substantial support and counseling via email and telephone to other Loan Unit members as well as One Stop Student Services Counselors and Office of Student Finance employees.

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

Essential Functions
Functional Direct Loan Expert (40%)

• Individually investigate and troubleshoot issues related to regular loan processing and assists FA-IT and system campuses on service tickets related to loans.
• Create and analyze queries to identify potential loan problems and suggest solutions.
• Analyze Loan Reports and make loan adjustments as needed.
• Analyze queries identified by the Federal Student Aid Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to determine Title IV Federal Financial Aid eligibility.
• Run ad hoc queries as needed to mitigate potential system errors and cross-check functionality of existing batch processes.
• Review reconciliation reports on a monthly basis to ensure all financial data is accurate between Peoplesoft and Common, Origination and Disbursement Website (COD).
• Assist in the implementation of workarounds when PeopleSoft functionality does not meet business needs.
• Report to management and FA-IT of system issues related to loans and all inbound/outbound electronic file transmission failures to the U.S. Department of Education's processing system COD.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for troubleshooting Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS, Parent PLUS Loan issues from students, parents, One Stop, and campus units.
• Proactively correspond with students/parents regarding additional information as needed for Federal, State, University loan information and U.S. Department of Education, and Federal Student Aid requests.

Packaging and award adjustments: (25%)

• Award and adjust financial aid packages.
• Provide assistance to Units to meet priority processes and project deadlines.
• Use, understand, and apply University and Federal packaging policies when awarding.
• Employ budget adjustment policies and procedures as it applies to aid revisions.
• Analyze and manage a large volume of records quickly and accurately.
• Exercises Professional Judgment as defined by the U.S. Department of Education in relation to determining eligibility and awarding Federal Direct loans on a case-by-case basis.
• Expert use of PeopleSoft process for awarding loans, making corrections, and managing the return of funds.
• Understands and applies University and Federal packaging policies when awarding.

Parent PLUS Loan Process: (20%)

• Oversees the Parent PLUS loan automation process, through running the PLUS ready to process daily query and analyzing the PLUS exception daily report.
• Ensures accurate data is loaded into PeopleSoft for ease of Federal Direct loan origination and disbursement.
• Identifies issues that are affecting disbursement and works to resolve problems.

Loan Reports/Special Projects: (10%)

• Provide back-up support to other Loan Unit Staff.
• Analyze Loan Reports and make loan adjustments as needed.
• Utilize expertise in regulations that govern Federal, State, University and Private loans while performing Special projects such as loan clean-up, Sequestration adjustments, problem loan resolution, and summer special processing.
• Remain current on regulations that govern Federal, State, University and private loans.
• Meet timeline requirements.

Attends and participates in meetings and OSF committee work as assigned: (5%)

• Regularly attends scheduled meetings.
• Participates in unit and OSF committee activities.
• Updates unit colleagues with regard to new knowledge; initiates and distributes information to colleagues that may affect and enhance their work.
• Implement new information into job functions where appropriate.
• Identify and attend training sessions needed to ensure knowledgeable and accurate job performance.
• Provides input in a positive manner.

*The employer reserves the right to change or add duties to this position as long as the changes and/or additions are consistent with the job classification.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least 4 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least 2 years of relevant experience in a University or higher education adjacent industry.
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and detail in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience in financial aid, counseling, or student services.
• Experience with Federal, State, University and Private student loan processing.
• Knowledge of University, state, and federal financial aid regulations.
• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions experience.
• Experience with Google/Microsoft suite (specifically spreadsheets) and CRM platforms.

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. This mission includes the entire UMN system, of which ASR provides significant support to each campus and values their collaboration to improve the student experience. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better able to serve and represent our University community by ensuring we value differences and individuality. The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

The Office of Student Finance (OSF) manages the initial components of the student finance lifecycle for all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financial aid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination, disbursement, recalculation, and return of financial aid. This compliance-forward unit also manages the student finance portion of internal and external audits and partners closely with other Academic Support Resources (ASR) units with billing, accounts receivable, and loan/account collections work.

Pay Range: $55,000 - $61,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

Please submit a resume and cover letter.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).