Financial Aid Advisor

Hiring Department:   Student Finance

Minimum Hiring Salary/Position Classification: $40,000/year, Exempt, Full-time, Benefited
Benefits: Includes single or family health care coverage, basic life insurance, EAP, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual and sick leave.  Optional benefits available: supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.  
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 to 4:30, non-traditional hours may apply during peak times.

For full consideration, all application materials must be fully submitted by 5PM (Central Time) on the closing date.

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Position Details:   A Complete Position Description is available as an attachment in the bottom right corner of this position announcement.
 
The Office of Student Finance operates under the Enrollment Management unit to provide student-centered assistance for all undergraduate, graduate and professional students at the University of North Dakota by working under federal, state, and university guidance, enabling students to enroll, manage their finances, achieve their academic goals, and graduate in a timely manner.  The Office of Student Finance determines financial aid eligibility from awarding, originating and disbursing federal, state, private, and university funds in addition to the setup and management of student billing and student accounts. The Office of Student Finance is a fast-paced, high-volume environment that awards over $150 million in financial aid to over 11,000 students annually.
 
Goals of the office are to:

• Provide guidance and support to students and families throughout the financial aid, billing, and payment process.
• Assist students in their search for and acquisition of all appropriate available financial resources.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and university policies and regulatory requirements.
• Manage and maintain the tuition setup and account billing to ensure student account accuracy.   
• Work cooperatively with other campus offices/departments to ensure smooth processes for students.
• Work in collaboration with departments/colleges/alumni to ensure the appropriate use of scholarship dollars.

Maintain accurate and appropriate records which are used as an historical data base when needs arise to provide supporting documentation to help answer questions and/or when programs/services are developed.



Duties include:
 

1. Manage athletic aid compliance and processes
   • Work collaboratively with the UND Athletics Department staff.
   • Ensure compliance with federal and state financial aid rules and regulations.
   • Ensure compliance with NCAA rules and regulations.
   • Monitor student athlete financial aid packages for over-award situations.
   • Monitor NCAA individual and team maximum award limits.
   • Work closely with the Athletics Compliance Office on all athletic aid issues (including NLI signings).
   • Work with auditors regarding audits of athletic aid awards.
   • Send student athlete cancellation notifications.
   • Coordinate athletic related student financial aid appeal process.
   • Monitor the timely receipt of signed student athlete award and cancellation notifications.
   • Ensure accurate and timely entry of athletic aid awards on student records in PeopleSoft.
   • Ensure accurate and timely disbursement of athletic aid awards to student accounts.
   • Assist with the administration of the NCAA Special Assistance and Opportunity Funds.
   • Enter scholarship data into PeopleSoft and NCAA Compliance Assistant
2. Coordinate Federal, State, and Institutional Grant Programs
   • Coordinate and monitor eligibility and awards for the North Dakota State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant, and other grant programs.
   • Communicate and exchange grant funds with the North Dakota State Financial Aid Office.
   • Post ND State Grant awards to student financial aid packages.
   • Coordinate and post other grants as needed.  
   • Run Pell grant origination and outbound files, review and correct discrepancies.
   • Run and monitor the authorization/failure report to ensure students receive their grant disbursements in a timely manner.
   • Delegate specific areas to designated staff when necessary.
3. Participate in the Financial Aid Budget and Award Process
   • Participate in the development of University policy and procedures for preparation of estimated cost of attendance figures, award packaging parameters and professional judgment guidelines, with consideration for the student with extraordinary need, while maintaining compliance with Federal guidelines.  
   • Develop and maintain open communication within the Office of Student Finance to ensure that appropriate sharing of information is accomplished among staff when specialized areas are required to make adjustments.  
   • Assist in processing external scholarship checks, as needed.
   • Assist in semester quality assurance file review.
4. Provide direct assistance to students/families applying for educational financial assistance
   • Advise prospective and returning students in a personalized way on the financial aid application process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal, state and institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
   • Provide information to applicants relative to educational financial planning and management.
   • Review and analyze requests for financial aid based on special circumstances using professional judgment to evaluate and reach a decision on the appropriate course of action.
   • Communicate decisions to students and parents, informing them of the types and amounts of aid to be given or of the denial of a request.
   • Serve as a resource for guidance when applicants and/or other service professionals have specific questions concerning application for educational financial assistance.
   • Assist students who may experience problems and issues of a highly sensitive financial and personal nature. Exhibit independent judgment, tact and diplomacy, maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to FERPA regulations.
   • Build collaborative relationships with other departments (One Stop Student Services, Registrar’s Office, Human Resources, Athletics, Admissions, academic departments, etc.) to understand and communicate issues regarding student financial aid eligibility.
   • Prepare and present information for public presentation in such formats as financial aid information sessions, Saturday open house events, freshmen and transfer summer registration, high school counselor workshops and student services programs on campus as assigned.
   • Other duties as assigned.
5. Continuous Process Improvement
   • Proactively identify, analyze, and improve upon existing business processes within Student Finance/One-Stop team.  Use data to identify priorities and monitor outcomes.  Work with team to implement and promote process improvements to optimize workflow and student service.
6. As a UND employee, it is expected to treat staff faculty, students and families in a cordial, civil, and respectful manner and at all times, practice the principles of honesty, respect and integrity; communicate in a professional, positive, and respectful manner; and exhibit ethical behavior.

Required Competencies:
 

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, problem solve, and multi-task in fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to be receptive to new ideas, cultures, concepts, and technologies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to demonstrate positive interactions with students and colleagues in the work place.
• Demonstrated acceptance and respect for others’ diversity, abilities, and gifts.
• Ability to model professional behavior, appearance, and job performance in the workplace
• Ability to interpret and explain complex regulations and policies to a diverse audience, both in one-on-one sessions and group settings.
• Outgoing personality and ability to display positive demeanor, high energy and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain customer confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Demonstrated self-initiative, integrity and reliability.
• Experience working with a team/committee.
• Within good standing on federal programs to gain access and maintain access to federal databases.

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Minimum Requirements:
 

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience
• Three years of experience working in an office setting.
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 


Preferred Qualifications:
 

• Experience with continuous improvement strategies and tools.
• Two years of experience in a university setting.
• Experience using PeopleSoft Student Admin module and Perceptive Content (Image Now).
• Experience with UND policies and procedures.
• At least one year of experience with Title IV regulations.
• At least two years of experience with NCAA regulations.
• At least two years of experience in financial aid.
• Experience delivering excellent service to students, families, and both on- and off-campus constituents.

To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out www.GrandForksisCooler.com
 
 
All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EEO/AA for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.
 
 
Confidentiality of Application Materials
Note: Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three finalists who will be invited to campus.
 
EEO Statement
UND is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.  Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants are invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran’s status and disability status on the form found at http://und.edu/affirmative-action/apcontrolcard.cfm.  This information will remain confidential and separate from your application. 
 
ND Veteran’s Preference
North Dakota Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.
 
Clery Statement
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.  The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus.  As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report.  The report and statistical data can be found online at http://und.edu/discover/_files/docs/annual-security-report.pdf.  You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND 58202.