Financial Aid Office Assistant

Colorado Mesa University; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Colorado Mesa University is seeking a student employee for the Financial Aid Office to support clerical tasks and learn the financial aid process. The role emphasizes strong communication, reliability, and the ability to handle confidential information in a fast-paced university setting.

Responsibilities include data entry, assisting with events, and gaining hands-on experience using Banner, SLATE, Cognos, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional demeanor and reliability.
• Willingness to learn university processes and software.

Responsibilities

• Gain foundational understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid processes.
• Provide clerical support including proofreading and data entry.
• Handle confidential student information with discretion.
• Learn and operate Banner, SLATE, and Cognos.
• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, etc.).
• Assist with on-campus events such as job fairs and student services.

Skills

Communication

Multitasking

Detail-oriented

Professional demeanor

Tools

Banner

SLATE

Cognos

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

FLSA Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)

SECTION I - OUR VALUES CULTIVATE OUR VISION AND CULTURE

At CMU, we believe in acting from a foundation of goodwill. This belief gives us the courage to form meaningful relationships, embark on joint endeavors and take risks in the pursuit of new possibilities. It’s this courage that enables the Mavily to explore new ways of thinking and doing, knowing that there is no perfect solution, no perfect idea.

From this place of humility and courage, we’ve built a culture of resilience. We invest in the future by continuously adapting to change, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. We recognize that change is constant, and our resilience allows us to embrace it with confidence. Endless curiosity drives us to approach the unexpected as if it were expected, seeing opportunities for discovery and renewal in every challenge. In this community rooted in love and dignity, curiosity thrives, leading to endless opportunities for growth and advancement.

Inspired by the soul of the West—the spirit that our region embodies—we emerge as a force for positive change, harnessing our collective power to build a Human Scale University that reflects our values and brings to life our shared vision of the world we aspire to create.

Colorado Mesa University Core Values

• Love - Extending oneself for nurturing the growth of self and others
• Dignity - Respecting the intrinsic value of each person and believing that others act from afoundation of goodwill
• Courage - Taking risks in the pursuit of new possibilities
• Humility - Suspending one’s ego and pride to recognize that no idea is perfect and being open tothe input of others
• Resiliency - Investing in the future by adapting to changes, overcoming challenges and pursuingOpportunity
• Curiosity - Cultivating awe and exploring the unknown
• Power - The strength to act collaboratively with individual agency to achieve our goals

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Financial Aid Office at Colorado Mesa University is seeking a self‑motivated, organized, and detail‑oriented student employee to join our team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, a professional demeanor, and the ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment. This position offers the opportunity to learn about financial aid processes and gain hands‑on experience in a university office setting.

Key tasks include:

• Gain a foundational understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid processes.
• Provide clerical support, including proofreading, data entry, and general office assistance.
• Handle confidential student information and records with discretion.
• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, etc.)
• Learn and operate internal software systems, such as Banner, SLATE, and Cognos.
• Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while ensuring the accuracy and completeness of work.
• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Assist with on‑campus events, including job fairs and other student services events.
• Communicate effectively in‑person, via phone, email, instant messaging, and text.
• Provide excellent customer service to students, families, and university employees.
• Be punctual, maintain regular communication about schedule changes, and demonstrate reliability.
• Assist with additional projects as directed by the Financial Aid staff.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER - This position description is only a summary of the typical functions of this seat, and not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and areas of accountability.