Financial Aid Counselor

UWLAC University of Wisconsin La Crosse; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse seeks a Financial Aid Counselor to counsel students and families on financial aid matters, review FAFSAs, and post aid offers while applying professional judgment as needed. The role supports outreach to prospective and current students and manages inquiries with confidentiality and accuracy.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, strong customer service and organizational skills, and experience with student information systems such as PeopleSoft.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree completed.
• Experience with federal student financial aid preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and parents regarding financial aid matters.
• Review FAFSA applications and determine eligibility.
• Post aid offers and exercise professional judgment under special circumstances.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
• Assist with outreach, inquiries, and data collection for stakeholders.

Skills

Customer service

Conflict resolution

Independent work

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree completed

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Financial Aid Counselor Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Financial Aid Officer Job Duties: The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for: Counseling students and parents regarding financial aid matters Performing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application review Posting aid offers Using professional judgment to revise student eligibility under special circumstances Outreach and communication with prospective and current students Assisting with office phone calls, e-mails, and in-person visits Maintaining Confidentiality Remaining compliant with federal, state, UWL, and Universities of Wisconsin policies This position will: Process aid for graduate and doctorate programs of study Process aid for undergrad allied health programs Process aid for second degree and preparatory coursework Assist the Director with cost of attendance figures and aid budget updates yearly Assist the Director with campus presentations to students and families Work hours: Monday through Friday from 7:45am-4:30pm The review of applications starts on October 7, 2026. Applications received on or before October 7th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013. Key Job Responsibilities: Awards financial aid to qualifying students Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid to qualifying students according to established policies and in compliance with federal and state regulations May hire, train, and supervise student employees Serves as a point of contact to third party stakeholders about financial aid information and processes Assists in collecting, preparing, and analyzing financial aid data for stakeholders Triages processes or applications if issues arise Department: Financial Aid Compensation: $46,000/ year Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree completed Effective customer service and conflict resolution skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information appropriately Ability to problem-solve and exercise independent judgment and initiative Ability to make timely decisions and determine priorities Excellent attention to detail Effective time management and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications: Work experience with Federal student financial aid, or financial resources Work experience in Higher Education Experience with computer applications (especially student information systems such as PeopleSoft) Work experience with students and/or colleagues Familiarity with public speaking and group presentations How to Apply: Required application documents Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications) CV / Resume Contact Information: Christina Hayes, [e-mail] Special Notes: Application deadlines TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. INFORMATIONABOUTYOURBENEFITS Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. Highlights include: Paid vacation for 12-month positions. Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. Paid holidays and paid sick days. After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. Benefits atUWLare highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage. UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 161,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the Universities of Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree – with a median salary of more than $66,000. The Universities of Wisconsin provides a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. The Universities of Wisconsin and its employees are purpose-driven, people-focused, and committed to stewardship.