Student Financial Aid Assistant Jobs in Michigan

Financial Aid Counselor
Job No: 26143
Department: Financial Aid Administration
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Finance, Student Affairs
Applications Close:
Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.
The area's waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.
Summary
Michigan Technological University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor for our Financial Aid Administration department. The Financial Aid Counselor position requires a student-oriented, self-starting, critical thinker with a keen attention to detail. In addition to serving as a member of the Student Financial Services Center team, this position will monitor and interpret best practices and legislative updates from state, federal, and other agencies and organizations. This position will make recommendations and advise the director of the Student Financial Services Center as needed in order to ensure compliance within policies and procedures. This position will require applicants to have a genuine interest in promoting student success.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
1. Monitor student satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and ensure students are eligible to receive Title IV aid based on SAP standards.
2. Administer, monitor, and certify more than $11 million in State of Michigan programs including Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Tuition Incentive Program, Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver, Michigan Competitive Scholarship, Children of Veterans Grant, and Fostering Futures Grant.
3. Serve on the Scholastic Standards and Appeals Committee and demonstrate compassion, empathy, and discretion toward students with special circumstances.
4. Council students who have questions regarding their SAP status and advise on how they can best remain in or regain good standing.
5. Monitor and interpret best practice and legislative updates from the State of Michigan, the Department of Education, and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and advise leadership on action needed to maintain compliance.
6. Monitor all required student disclosures that must be posted online and review and update all financial aid/student billing related sections annually.
7. Oversee the operations and updates of the Student Financial Services Center website.
8. Assist with scholarship competitions, financial literacy presentations, admissions visit days, and other events that require financial aid staff.
9. Perform various need analysis functions using financial aid information submitted by applicants utilizing established federal, state and University standards and guidelines to determine financial need.
10. Meet with current and prospective students and families as needed and provide excellent and courteous customer service.
11. Ensure the security and integrity of confidential student data.
12. Provide excellent customer service and demonstrate empathy, understanding, and care in all student and family interactions.
13. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.
14. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Functional supervision may be exercised over student assistants.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures
• Bachelor's degree or commensurate experience
Required Experience
• 3 years experience working with the field of financial aid, higher education student services, accounting, or closely related field.
• Skill and experience in project management and organizational effectiveness while maintaining strict attention to detail.
• Experience using advanced features of word processing and spreadsheet/ database software.
Desirable Education and/or Experience
• Experience using Banner
• Experience working in a higher education setting
• Experience reading and interpreting policy
Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and written/oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to explain and convey complex information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work assignments independently in a complex work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to use appropriate judgment when dealing with highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new computer skills and features.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.
Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training:
• Employee Safety Overview
• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
• Annual Data Security Training
• Annual Title IX Training
Background Check:
Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)
1
FLSA Status
Exempt
Appointment Term
12 months
Shift
Pay Rate/Salary
The minimum salary for this position is $51,300 . The final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.
Title of Position Supervisor
Associate Director
Posting Type
Internal and External
Dependent on Funding
No
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu.
Other Conditions of Employment:
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. Michigan Tech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the Michigan Tech Public Safety.
In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfree campus environment and actively promoting the health and safety of its community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legal sanctions, health risks, and available support resources related to the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Advertised: 26 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications Close:
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