Financial Aid Advisor

DepartmentFinancial Aid

The Financial Aid Advisor will report directly to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Scholarship. The role involves independently managing and developing processes and initiatives to address student financial aid eligibility criteria and issues, and to provide accurate information to student aid recipients. Collaboration with all OFAS directors, Call Center directors, and campus units is essential to formulate initiatives and strategies to deliver precise information to student aid recipients, eliminate obstacles, and address student aid eligibility issues. This position is an essential component of the OFAS management team, responsible for reviewing, developing, recommending, implementing, and monitoring operating policies and procedures within OFAS. It requires a deep understanding of financial aid regulations, close collaboration with OFAS directors, and vigilance in monitoring federal and state regulations updates to ensure efficient and clear communication of information to student aid recipients.

70%- 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 highly sensitive financial and personal issues and must exhibit independent judgment, tact and diplomacy, maintain 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.

• 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 an academic year and exercises professional judgment in adjusting 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.

• Problem solving for aid applicants include resolving FAFSA comment codes and rejects, verification and file review, packaging aid revisions, adjusting student budgets, correcting over awards, professional judgment appeals, monitoring students satisfactory academic progress.

25% -Other duties

• Support the operation of the OFAS as needed.

5% – Continuous Professional Development:

• The Financial Aid Advisor must actively keep up to date on state and federal regulations and internal policies and procedures to ensure accurate and efficient interpretation of information and to ensure program compliance. The Financial Aid Advisor works as a team member to deliver high quality service to students and their families

Required Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• At least one-year Financial Aid experience Or
• At least 2 years as a student worker employed in a Financial Aid Office Or

At least 2 years working in the banking industry, accounting or other administrative duties that require analytical and critical thinking skills.
Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with Ellucian’s Banner database system.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Experience meeting deadlines in a high-stress environment.
• Experience collaborating with teams to complete organizational goals.
• Experience managing workflows and coordinating the work of others

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

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 resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet ALL required qualifications.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting RepresentativeCarlos 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].

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.