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Financial Aid Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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Financial Aid Manager information

See Minnesota salary details

$16.2K

$44.4K

$63.7K

How much do financial aid manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for financial aid manager in Minnesota is $44,419.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,200.00 and $50,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a financial aid manager do?

A Financial Aid Manager oversees the administration of financial aid programs at educational institutions, such as colleges or universities. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, managing the distribution of scholarships, grants, and loans, and supervising financial aid staff. Their role includes evaluating student applications, providing guidance to students and families about financial aid options, and maintaining accurate records. Financial Aid Managers play a key part in helping students access funding for their education and ensuring the institution's financial aid processes run smoothly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a financial aid manager?

To thrive as a Financial Aid Manager, you need expertise in financial aid regulations, budgeting, and compliance, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in finance, education, or a related field. Familiarity with financial aid management systems like Banner, PowerFAIDS, or Ellucian, as well as knowledge of federal and state aid programs, is crucial. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage staff, counsel students, and navigate complex situations. These abilities ensure accurate aid distribution, legal compliance, and positive student experiences within educational institutions.

What are some common challenges financial aid managers face when balancing compliance with providing student support?

Financial Aid Managers often navigate the complex landscape of federal, state, and institutional regulations while ensuring students receive the financial support they need. One common challenge is staying up-to-date with frequently changing policies and maintaining strict documentation to avoid compliance issues or audits. At the same time, they must communicate clearly and empathetically with students and families, explaining eligibility and addressing concerns. Balancing these responsibilities requires strong organizational skills and a commitment to both regulatory accuracy and student service.

What is the difference between Financial Aid Manager vs Financial Aid Coordinator?

AspectFinancial Aid ManagerFinancial Aid Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; sometimes advanced certificationsHigh school diploma or associate's degree; relevant certifications optional
Work EnvironmentSupervisory role overseeing staff and policiesAssists students directly with aid applications and documentation
Employer & Industry UsageColleges, universities, and educational institutionsEducational institutions, financial aid offices
Primary ResponsibilitiesManaging aid programs, policy development, staff supervisionProcessing applications, providing student support, data entry

The main difference between a Financial Aid Manager and a Financial Aid Coordinator lies in their scope of responsibilities. The manager oversees the entire financial aid program, staff, and policies, while the coordinator focuses on assisting students with applications and documentation. Both roles are essential in educational institutions and often require similar credentials, but the manager holds a supervisory position with broader strategic duties.

How to become a financial aid manager?

To become a financial aid manager, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, education administration, or a related field. Relevant experience in financial aid, student services, or administration is often required, along with strong organizational and communication skills. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree or certification such as the NASFAA Credentialing Program.

What are the most commonly searched types of Financial Aid jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Financial Aid jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Financial Aid Manager jobs in Minnesota?

For Financial Aid Manager jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Financial Aid Manager jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Financial Aid Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Financial Aid Manager job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,419 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Financial Aid Systems & Compliance Counselor

University of San Francisco

Hilltop, MN

$41K - $54K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


University Of San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

234th of 627 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Title:

Financial Aid Systems & Compliance Counselor

Job Summary:

The Financial Aid Systems & Compliance Counselor is responsible for overseeing financial aid systems integration, managing a team of student employees, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and providing strategic support to streamline financial aid processes. This position involves leading the implementation of system upgrades, troubleshooting, and maintaining data security while ensuring operational efficiency and continuous improvement in financial aid processes.

Full Job Description:

Leadership/Management:

Supervise and provide training to student employees in the Financial Aid Systems team to enhance their skills in financial aid processes.

Proactively address issues that may impact students' financial aid processes, providing problem-solving support.

Collaborate with the SEM Data Operations team to test, refine, and implement enhanced business processes.

Coordinate with external vendors for system troubleshooting, upgrades, and new features (e.g., ELMONE, CPS, EDconnect).

Assist with system updates, testing, and regression testing after updates or configuration changes in the Financial Aid Management System.

Leads Federal PLUS Loan Processing, including monitoring review of outstanding pending credit checks

Responsible for a processing a caseload which includes federal verification and comment codes

System Integration & Process Automation:

Ensure seamless integration between financial aid systems (e.g., Banner, CampusLogic) and external platforms (e.g., FAFSA, state portals).

Identify and implement automation opportunities in financial aid processes (e.g., ISIR imports, packaging, reconciliation) to improve efficiency.

Maintain the daily production schedule for operations and financial aid reporting including resolving ISIR suspense files

Run ISIR corrections in Banner, send out corrections via EDconnect to CPS, and import corrected ISIRs.

Compliance & Security:

Monitor system security, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional data privacy regulations (e.g., FERPA).

Review and resolve issues related to loan default, bankruptcy, overpayment, loan discharge, and other identified compliance matters.

Leads the review and processing for subsequent ISIR review on a daily basis to ensure accuracy of financial aid eligibility.

Documentation & Quality Assurance:

Create and update comprehensive documentation for system configurations, processes, and workflows.

Professional Development & Training:

Participate in professional development opportunities, such as conferences or certifications, to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

Participate in Financial Aid training that will support the execution of job responsibilities

Communication & Customer Service:

Assist as needed with customer service operations to include phone and email response and promote an atmosphere of excellent customer service for students.

Participates in office outreach events to include planning and presenting financial aid workshops, seminars, etc. which may be outside of traditional office hours

Assist in the creation of FAQs and help resources for students and staff to resolve common issues independently.

Student Engagement & Outreach:

Develop and implement student engagement strategies (e.g., email campaigns, student portals) to promote financial aid literacy and support the completion of financial aid tasks (e.g., FAFSA completion, document submission, PLUS processing).

Support communications regarding updates, deadlines, and changes to financial aid policies.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in financial aid systems and processes, incorporating feedback from stakeholders.

Implement improvements to policies, procedures, and systems in alignment with institutional goals and regulatory changes.

Other Duties:

Perform other duties as assigned related to the financial aid department's goals and operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.

Experience: At least three years of increasingly responsible financial aid experience, with a strong command of Title IV regulations and experience with systems like Ellucian Banner.

Technical Skills: Proficiency with financial aid systems, document management, and Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with automated systems, particularly Banner and CampusLogic, preferred.

Attention to Detail: Ability to handle complex data and tasks with accuracy and efficiency.

Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of advising students and presenting information clearly.

Time Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Customer Service: Strong orientation towards customer service with the ability to resolve issues and provide guidance.

Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze data, make informed decisions, and apply judgment based on financial aid regulations.

Policy Knowledge: Deep understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with managing student employees and leading training efforts.

Advanced knowledge of financial aid regulations and institutional compliance requirements.

Experience with federal financial aid verification and processing, including Title IV funds management.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$70,304 annualized

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