Federal Work Study Program Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

POSITION TITLE: Financial Aid Counselor- Student Employment
COMPENSATION RANGE: 53,045.00 - 55,000.00 USD per year
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative
DEPARTMENT: Office of Financial Aid
TARGET HIRE DATE: 8/3/2026
BENEFITS: UNC's Career Hub
Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 07/15/2026.
Position Summary:
The Office of Financial Aid provides high-qualityservices to students and their families by delivering clear guidance onfinancial aid opportunities to support access, persistence, and completion oftheir academic goals. The office administers federal, state, institutional, andprivate funding in accordance with program eligibility requirements andprovides counseling to students, prospective students, and families on thefinancial aid process and responsible use of funds.
This position supports the administration of theStudent Employment program within the Office of Financial Aid. The role isresponsible for processing and maintaining student employment records,including data entry and updates within the Banner payroll system for bothWork-Study and Non-Work-Study positions. Key responsibilities includeprocessing Student Employment Action Forms (EPAF) (e.g., pay rate changes, FOAPupdates, and terminations), monitoring work-study allocations, andcommunicating updates to both on- and off-campus employers to ensure compliancewith institutional policies and applicable regulations. It also serves as aresource for campus departments and community partners by supporting andfacilitating student employment processes, including connecting partners withappropriate operational areas and providing guidance to help resolve questionsand concerns effectively. The role also assists with the coordination of theannual Student Employment Job Fair and supports the development and delivery ofannual training for student employers.
The position works in collaboration with theCoordinator of Outreach and Student Services to hire, train, and supervisestudent employees who assist with the daily operations within the Office ofFinancial Aid. The position supports students throughout the student employmentprocess by responding to work-study inquiries, maintaining the work-studywaitlist, and providing guidance on job search and hiring steps.
In addition, this position supports broader financialaid and customer service functions as needed. A strong commitment to empathy,community building, civility, recognition, and exceptional customer service isessential. The position may also provide guidance to students and familiesregarding scholarships, financial aid options, and the application process.
Job Duties:
StudentEmployment Administration - 45% (Essential Function)
Supports the administration of the Student Employment program within the Officeof Financial Aid. Responsible for processing and maintaining student employmentrecords within the Banner payroll system for both Work-Study and Non-Work-Studypositions.
Processes,reviews, and approves Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAFs) for all studenthourly and salaried positions, ensuring accuracy and compliance withinstitutional, state, and federal requirements. This includes auditing FOAPnumbers, verifying wage rates, and confirming employment start and end datesfor approximately 1,100 student employment records annually. Identifies andresolves processing errors in a timely manner and ensures data integrity acrosssystems. Completes required Human Resources documentation to facilitate thehiring and onboarding of off-campus student employees.
Supportscompliance with federal and state student employment regulations by monitoringprogram activity and identifying potential issues. Running reports to trackwork-study allocation usage, monitor students working during class time, andreview leave reporting (e.g., sick leave) to ensure proper allocation. Assistswith reconciling work-study allocations and provides notifications and guidanceto departments as needed.
Collaborateswith campus partners-including the Center for Career Readiness, Payroll, HumanResources, and the Office of Global Engagement-to support student employmentoperations and ensure alignment with institutional processes. Facilitates thepublication and maintenance of the Student Employee Handbook and ensuresstudent employment website content is accurate and up-to-date by coordinatingand communicating required updates.
Coordinatesand supports annual student employer training in partnership with key campusoffices to communicate program updates, reinforce compliance expectations, andprepare supervisors to effectively hire and support student employees.
Partnerswith the Center for Career Readiness to support the planning and execution ofthe annual Student Employment Job Fair at the start of the academic year.Contributes to event planning and coordination to ensure representation of thefull scope of UNC student employment opportunities and to promote strongstudent and employer engagement.
StudentPeer Supervision - 30% (Essential Function)
Providesdirect supervision and support to student peer employees working within theOffice of Financial Aid in collaboration with the Coordinator of Outreach andStudent Service. Participates in the hiring, training, and supervision ofstudent peers to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across front-lineoperations. Serves as the first point of contact for escalated calls or complexquestions from student peers and actively monitors communicationchannels-including Microsoft Teams-to provide timely guidance and ensureaccurate, student-centered responses.
Supportsthe recruitment and onboarding of student peer employees by developing andmaintaining up-to-date training materials, coordinating orientation activities,and ensuring student staff understand office procedures, service standards, andoperational expectations. Provides ongoing coaching, task delegation, andperformance feedback-shared with the Coordinator-to promote professionaldevelopment and reinforce accuracy, efficiency, and customer service excellencein daily work. Actively monitors peer interactions with students and familiesto ensure information is communicated clearly, consistently, and in alignmentwith institutional policies.
Managesstudent peer schedules, approves timesheets, and ensures compliance with Work-Studyand hourly employment regulations. Monitors workload distribution and adjustsassignments as needed to support office priorities and maintain smoothoperations. Fosters a supportive, development-focused work environment thatencourages accountability, growth, and strong communication among studentstaff.
FinancialAid Advising - 20% (Essential Function)
Provides advising and support to students and familieson financial aid topics related to both general financial aid eligibility andStudent Employment/Work-Study participation. Responds to inquiries regardingfinancial aid requirements, application procedures, award adjustments, and theinteraction between financial aid and student employment. Offers guidance tostudents on maintaining eligibility, understanding enrollment impacts,navigating Work-Study, and interpreting award changes, including those relatedto satisfactory academic progress and responsible use of funds.
Communicates regularly with students, families, andcampus partners through office email account, ensuring timely, accurate, andstudent-centered responses. Drafts and sends clear, compliant, and supportiveemail communication regarding Work-Study status, waitlist updates, hiringtimelines, documentation needs, and general financial aid questions. Maintainsthorough documentation of advising interactions and ensures confidentiality inall communications.
Exercises professional judgment consistent withfederal, state, and institutional policies when evaluating studentcircumstances related to financial aid or Work-Study eligibility. Providesindividualized support to help students understand how financial aid policiesimpact their academic progress, employment options, and overall financialplanning, and connects them to appropriate campus resources when additionalassistance is needed.
Collaboration,Outreach, and Policy Development - 5%(Essential Function)
This position collaborates with the Registrar, Bursar,and other campus offices to ensure consistent and compliant administration offinancial aid and student employment programs. The role contributes to processimprovement initiatives, assists with staff training across the Office ofFinancial Aid, and represents the office at recruitment, orientation, andoutreach events-particularly those involving Student Employment. The positionalso supports the development and maintenance of internal policies and proceduresrelated to student employment, compliance, and operational workflows. Dutiesmay evolve based on the changing needs of the office.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• At least one year of professional experience in financial aid administration, student services, or a related field
  demonstrating transferable skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supervising student employees, student advising, or financial aid counseling.
• Understanding of financial aid or related processes.
• Experience supporting student employment, payroll processes, onboarding, timesheets, or personnel records.
• Demonstrated success managing high-volume, detail-oriented processes while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners, communicate clearly and professionally in writing, and manage high-volume inquiries.

Application Instructions:
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a resume and cover letter that address their qualifications and interest in the role.
Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.
About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC's commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC's Career Hub, to learn more about UNC's strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!
EEO StatementThe University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC'scompliance with this policy.
ADA AccommodationsThe University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu.
Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.
Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.