Department
Financial Aid
Position Summary
The Enrollment Management Division at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) brings together the functions of Admissions, Registrar, Testing Center, Orientation, and Financial Aid offices. Together, we recruit, admit and support current undergraduate and graduate students from various multicultural backgrounds. Our offices strive to support every student with quality and intentional services during their college career.
Our vision is rooted in a commitment to attract, enroll, retain, and graduate an empowered student body. We are a student-centered, evidence-based, technology-driven division that collaborates with internal and external partners to support the university’s mission and commitment to access, academic quality, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Financial Aid Advisor develops a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid topics to professionally advise students and parents about receiving financial aid at MSU Denver. The Advisor also administers a student portfolio to ensure timely processing of Verification, C-Codes, Professional Judgement and Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, Dependency Overrides and other key processes to help students finance their education. The Enrollment Management Division supports and engages in Anti-Racism efforts to increase equity and access to an MSU Denver education.
IND208
Duties/ Responsibilities
60%- Provides professional advising services:
- The Financial Aid Advisor works with prospective students, continuing students, families, and members of the MSU Denver community in a personalized way on the financial aid application process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal/state institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
- Requires a thorough knowledge of financial aid topics including: cost of attendance, federal and institutional need analysis, award packaging, types of aid offered, how to apply for outside and internal scholarships, receiving outside resources, payment options, financing options, completing loan applications, loan certification, billing, disbursement dates, reapplying for aid, withdrawal, stop-out, re-admit, timelines/deadlines, financial aid policy and procedures, and the responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
- Routinely deals with 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 data sharing regulations. Maintain active, positive relationships with the graduate departments on campus. Participate in financial aid and scholarship outreach events, FAFSA completion events and other on- and off-campus outreach events.
30% – Determining Financial Aid Eligibility:
- Assesses the student’s ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating income and household reported on the FAFSA or CASFA, federal tax returns, and other financial documents. Must be able to explain complex financial aid calculations and the results and rationale behind financial aid awarding in a simple and easy to understand manner to students. When requested the Financial Aid Advisor assesses documented changes in financial circumstances that occur in a student’s situation during the course of an academic year and exercises professional judgment in making adjustments to data elements in the formula that determines the student’s ability to pay for the cost of attendance. Problem solving for aid applicants include reviewing Professional Judgement and Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, resolving FAFSA comment codes and rejects, verification review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards.
5% – Continuous Professional Development:
- The Financial Aid Advisor must actively keep up to date on state and federal regulations and internal policies and procedures in order to ensure accurate and efficient interpretation of information and to ensure program compliance. They must be able to handle numerous complex tasks with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. The Financial Aid Advisor works as a team member to deliver high quality service to students and their families. Support and engage in Anti-Racism efforts pursued by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Enrollment Management Division.
- Assist in the creation and management of office initiatives, including special projects.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated strong skills in conflict resolution, verbal and written communication, time management, coordination and event planning, and human relations
- The position requires proficiency with standard MS Office software applications
Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resume clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associates Degree or 2 years working in financial aid as a student or regular employee
- Proficiency with Banner or similar financial aid software
- Expertise in federal and institutional need analysis, the ability to interpret and analyze income and assets, and knowledge of professional judgment techniques is preferred.
- Experience resolving data integrity issues in and discrepancies within Banner is preferred
- Expert knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines, and procedures
- Experience working with both traditional and online program
Work Hours
- Full-time, 40 hours per week, Exempt
- Monday thru Friday, 8am-5pm with some potential late evening and weekend hours.
- Possibility for flexible work arrangements including hybrid schedule (on campus / work from home).
- Travel: Rarely
Salary for Announcement
We anticipate the qualified candidate to be placed between $40,000 - $56,200. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. Additionally, Student Affairs has committed to tying our salaries to an understanding of a living wage. To that end, we will not pay less than $47,300.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Instructions to Apply
For full consideration, please submit the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
3 professional references will be required of the finalist. One reference must be a prior supervisor.
This position will remain open until filled. Please apply by August 03, 2025 for full consideration.
Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.
If you are an Internal applicant, please apply via the Career tab within the WorkDay Menu
Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resume clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Posting Representative
Carlos Alcala
Posting Representative Email
[email protected]Benefits
The University’s benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as access to a long-term disability (LTD) plan. Visit MSU Denver’s benefits website to learn more.
For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at[email protected].
Background Checks
Metropolitan State University of Denver is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To Assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background checks on all finalists for positions at the University prior to employment.
Diversity Statement
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.
We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.
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