Financial Aid Counselor

University of Wisconsin La Crosse; Town of Bangor (WI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Flexible health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin La Crosse is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to manage federal and institutional aid for undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. You will counsel students and families, review FAFSAs, post aid offers, apply professional judgment in special circumstances, and communicate with applicants.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree and strong customer service, with a Monday–Friday schedule and on-campus opportunities.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Awards financial aid to qualifying students.
• Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid to qualifying students according to policies.

Skills

Counseling

FAFSA review

Professional judgment

Communication

Confidentiality

Policy compliance

Office support

Education

Bachelor’s degree completed

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any ofthe Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply throughthe 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 aidmatters


• Performing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)application review


• Posting aid offers


• Using professional judgment to revise student eligibility underspecial circumstances


• Outreach and communication with prospective and currentstudents


• Assisting with office phone calls, e-mails, and in-personvisits


• Maintaining Confidentiality


• Remaining compliant with federal, state, UWL, and Universitiesof 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 aidbudget updates yearly


• Assist the Director with campus presentations to students andfamilies

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 areprioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/arefilled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, withshortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visasponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legallyauthorized to work in the United States at the time of hire andmaintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If youhave questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Awards financial aid to qualifying students


• Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid toqualifying students according to established policies and incompliance with federal and state regulations


• May hire, train, and supervise student employees


• Serves as a point of contact to third party stakeholders aboutfinancial aid information and processes


• Assists in collecting, preparing, and analyzing financial aiddata 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 informationappropriately


• Ability to problem-solve and exercise independent judgment andinitiative


• 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, orfinancial resources


• Work experience in Higher Education


• Experience with computer applications (especially studentinformation systems such as PeopleSoft)


• Work experience with students and/or colleagues


• Familiarity with public speaking and grouppresentations

Contact Information:

Christina Hayes, [e-mail]

Application deadlines

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given tothose candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’.Applications received after that date may be considered at thediscretion of the search committee. Application materials will beevaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited toparticipate in the next step of the selection process. Incompleteand/or late application materials may not receive consideration. Ifyou have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are notable to complete the application online due to a disability orsystem 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 whorequest confidentiality in writing except as may be required byWisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, theidentities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of theappointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC & Reference Check Policy

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employmentscreening which includes a criminal background check, workauthorization, and verification of education. It will also requireyou and your references to answer questions regarding sexualviolence and sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., CleryReport), which includes statistics about reported crimes andinformation 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 financialpackage from the university.

Highlights include:

• Paid vacation for 12‑month positions.


• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and goodcoverage.


• Paid holidays and paid sick days.


• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in ourretirement system which ensures income post-career.


• Benefits atUWLare highly competitive with local industry andsome of the strongest in state and nation.

Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. Thisinformation is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefitsare also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employmentwithout 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 byapplicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We arecommitted to building a workforce that represents a variety ofbackgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualifiedindividuals to apply.