Financial Aid Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program. This position works in-person in Rochester, MN.

As a professional member of the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), the One Stop Counselor position requires in-depth understanding of academic records, registration, financial aid and student financial billing to support students recruitment, retention and graduation, as well as counsel on financial wellness. This individual provides student advising on complex issues and problems regarding student financial matters; handles challenging behaviors and difficult situations that can surface when speaking with students and parents about academic success and financial matters; conducts critical analysis and professional judgment on financial aid/and waivers; utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and possesses excellent communications skills and attention to detail.
The UMR One Stop office is supported  through the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) campus One Stop with supervision by UMRs Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management.  
Duties and Responsibilities
Counseling: 75%

• Counsel, advise, investigate, problem-solve and resolve issues regarding financial aid, student accounts from prospective, current and former students, parents, faculty, staff and other third parties and the public.
• Work with students in all programs located on the Rochester campus (undergraduate, partner and graduate programs) to deliver a holistic counseling experience relative to: course enrollment information,, financial aid, billing and payment in order to provide a continuous focus on academic success and degree progress, financial wellness, student retention and graduation rates.
• Advise on in-depth financial aid questions ensuring adherence to all regulatory compliance concerning financial aid applications, financial aid eligibility, disbursement and refunds, cost of attendance budget components, different aid types, loan comparisons, special circumstances and estimated family contributions for tuition and fees.
• Analyze the award opportunities to determine what additional aid can be granted pending appeal approvals.
  Conducts one-on-one financial literacy and financial wellness counseling meetings for students and parents. Student advising meetings are individualized and require pre-meeting research, and post-meeting follow up.
• Interpret University, state, and federal policies and procedures; exercise professional judgment authority to implement changes and make exceptions to policies with limited supervisory approval.
• Serve as liaison between student veterans, service members, and their dependents and the Twin Cities University Veterans Services office regarding military educational benefits.

Leadership: 25%

• Continually look for ways to improve services to students by internally or cross-functionally developing new initiatives or success measures that will contribute to retention, graduation, student satisfaction, and other student success measures.
• Collaborate with college advising and student services offices across the campus to promote improved student services.
• Serve as an accessible and knowledgeable coach, mentor and leader for all UMR staff and student employees to assist with examining unusually complex situations.
• Provide counsel to the management team, interpreting business issues and providing suggestions for or leading efforts to implement and improve One Stop.
• Actively contribute to annual strategic planning for the unit.
• Collaboratively oversee student workers and the job responsibilities assigned to them
• Assist with maintenance of UMRs intranet
• Develop knowledge and proficiency in supporting software: PeopleSoft, APLUS, APAS, COD, NSLDS, Parchment, Perceptive Content and Google suite of applications.
• Support all One Stop contact (i.e., drop-in, Zoom, email and phone) 
• Develop curriculum and serve as presenter for UMR outreach events..
• Serve on various projects and initiatives that have One Stop involvement. Examples include Student Orientation and Registration planning,, the systemwide One Stop website and other strategic initiatives.
• Using a high-level and solution-oriented financial aid and student record policy knowledge, assist students with in depth counseling and provide recommendations to resolve complex financial barriers to persist at UMR.

Days and Schedule
Monday through Friday, typically from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends for recruitment events; schedule flexibility available. Regular presence on campus is required; limited off-site/remote flexibility available. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree plus at least four years experience after degree completion OR Masters degree and two years experience 

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one or more years of experience in a customer service related field (can be prior to degree completion).
• Financial Aid experience at an accredited college or university.
• Masters degree and two years experience after degree completion.
• Training or certification through the Association for Financial Counseling Planning Education (AFCPE) for Money Management Essentials.
• Sensitive to cultural diversity and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people of all ages and identities.
• Must be able to effectively present information and represent the University of Minnesota at outreach events.
• Knowledge of university, federal and state guidelines to make informed decisions when counseling students and parents in all areas: financial aid, scholarships, registration and enrollment, and student billing and accounts.
• Demonstrated commitment to UMR values: evidence-based decision making; diversity and inclusion; respect; human potential; and community.
• Ability to work in an innovative, collaborative, and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Work independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and take initiative, working independently without supervision.
• Ability to relate well with high school students and parents with strong interpersonal communication competency.
• Excellent public speaking.
• Excellent writing skills, including professionalism in composing emails.

Pay Range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include the following required application materials:

• Resume

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)

At the University of Minnesota Rochester, our vision is to transform higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the twenty-first century. UMR prepares students for a broad spectrum of career pathways including pre-med and patient care; psychology and mental health; business and leadership; health technology; public policy and global health; and research, discovery, and cures.

The campus community serves almost 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester and continues to grow in size and influence through creative partnerships. At UMR, relationships and research drive student success. Learn more about UMR.

The University of Minnesota is proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of Americas Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 202224).