Financial Aid Counselor

Michigan Technological University; Atlantic Mine (MI); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor for the Financial Aid Administration department. The role requires attention to detail, integrity, and a student-centered approach to ensure compliance with state, federal, and university guidelines.

Responsibilities include monitoring SAP, administering multiple state programs totaling over $11 million, advising students, and coordinating with leadership to maintain compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.
• 3 years experience in financial aid, higher education student services, accounting, or closely related field.
• Skill and experience in project management and organizational effectiveness with strong attention to detail.
• Experience using advanced features of word processing and spreadsheet/database software.
• Experience using Banner (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Monitor SAP to ensure Title IV eligibility.
• Administer and certify Michigan State programs totaling over $11 million.
• Serve on Scholastic Standards and Appeals Committee with discretion for special circumstances.
• Counsel students and advise on maintaining good standing.
• Monitor policy updates from state and federal agencies and NASFAA.
• Oversee disclosure postings and student billing sections.
• Maintain Student Financial Services Center website.
• Assist with scholarships, financial literacy presentations, and admissions events.
• Perform need analysis using established standards to determine financial need.
• Meet with students and families to provide excellent customer service.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Written/oral communication

Explain complex information

Independence

Organization and prioritization

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Adaptability to learn new computer技能

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Banner

Word

Excel

Job description

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological researchuniversity founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus issituated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic UpperPeninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the bestuniversities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’sflagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Researchfocus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive,environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-roundrecreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, andpaddling. The University is an integral part of the region,supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride inbeing a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense ofadventure, and originality.

Summary

Michigan Technological University is seeking a Financial AidCounselor for our Financial Aid Administration department. TheFinancial Aid Counselor position requires a student-oriented,self-starting, critical thinker with a keen attention to detail. Inaddition to serving as a member of the Student Financial ServicesCenter team, this position will monitor and interpret bestpractices and legislative updates from state, federal, and otheragencies and organizations. This position will make recommendationsand advise the director of the Student Financial Services Center asneeded in order to ensure compliance within policies andprocedures. This position will require applicants to have a genuineinterest in promoting student success.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Monitor student satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and ensurestudents are eligible to receive Title IV aid based on SAPstandards.
2. Administer, monitor, and certify more than $11 million in Stateof Michigan programs including Michigan Achievement Scholarship,Tuition Incentive Program, Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver, MichiganCompetitive Scholarship, Children of Veterans Grant, and FosteringFutures Grant.
3. Serve on the Scholastic Standards and Appeals Committee anddemonstrate compassion, empathy, and discretion toward studentswith special circumstances.
4. Council students who have questions regarding their SAP statusand advise on how they can best remain in or regain goodstanding.
5. Monitor and interpret best practice and legislative updates fromthe State of Michigan, the Department of Education, and theNational Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators(NASFAA) and advise leadership on action needed to maintaincompliance.
6. Monitor all required student disclosures that must be postedonline and review and update all financial aid/student billingrelated sections annually.
7. Oversee the operations and updates of the Student FinancialServices Center website.
8. Assist with scholarship competitions, financial literacypresentations, admissions visit days, and other events that requirefinancial aid staff.
9. Perform various need analysis functions using financial aidinformation submitted by applicants utilizing established federal,state and University standards and guidelines to determinefinancial need.
10. Meet with current and prospective students and families asneeded and provide excellent and courteous customer service.
11. Ensure the security and integrity of confidential studentdata.
12. Provide excellent customer service and demonstrate empathy,understanding, and care in all student and familyinteractions.
13. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies andapplying them to everyday work.
14. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices toeveryday work.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Functional supervision may be exercised over studentassistants.

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 relatedfield.
• Skill and experience in project management and organizationaleffectiveness while maintaining strict attention to detail.
• Experience using advanced features of word processing andspreadsheet/ 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/oralcommunication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to explain and convey complexinformation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative tosolve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work assignmentsindependently in a complex work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and attention todetail.
• Demonstrated ability to use appropriate judgment when dealingwith highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a teamenvironment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new computer skills andfeatures.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to,working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds andviewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics describedhere are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions. The noise level in the workenvironment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receivethe 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 consideredfinalized until the required background check has been performedand 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 . Thefinal salarywill 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 toperform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listedare representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilityrequired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodationsduring Michigan Tech’s hiring process please notify the HumanResources office at 906-487-2280 or [e-mail].

Other Conditions of Employment

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuringtheir eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen ornational of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, aforeign national authorized to work in the United States withoutthe need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effectivedate of your appointment, and maintain eligibility withoutsponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal OpportunityEducational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that providesequal opportunity for all, including protected veterans andindividuals with disabilities.

The AnnualSecurity and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safetyand disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policiesand fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. MichiganTech will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact theMichigan Tech Public Safety.

In compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools andCommunities Act (DFSCA) and its implementing regulations (34 CFRPart 86), Michigan Tech is committed to maintaining a drugfreecampus environment and actively promoting the health and safety ofits community. Find our notice that outlines the University's policies, legalsanctions, health risks, and available support resources related tothe unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs andalcohol.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)

Advertised: 26 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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