Financial Aid Verification Counselor

University of Colorado; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Health Coverage

Retirement Benefits

Educational Benefits

Wellness & More

Job summary

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is seeking a Financial Aid Verification Counselor to oversee the verification process, review tax documents, resolve FAFSA discrepancies, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

The role advises students on eligibility and packages financial aid, verifies information, and disburses aid, supporting accuracy in Campus Solutions and related systems.

Qualifications

• Experience in counseling students on financial aid eligibility and options.
• Strong understanding of FAFSA, verification, and federal/state regulations.
• Ability to analyze documents and resolve discrepancies efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Daily advising and counseling of students and families on all aspects of the financial aid process.
• Review of student documents collected for verification and correcting discrepant data.
• Process FAFSA data corrections and updates in the student information system.
• Collaborate with IT/staff to automate and improve verification workflows.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.

Skills

Counseling students

Data analysis

Federal financial aid knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Tools

Campus Solutions

Job description

Financial Aid Verification Counselor

Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier education al institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Financial Aid Verification Counselor to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary/Pay Range : $45,000 - $55,000 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-Site

Benefits at a Glance

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.


• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.


• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.


• Further Your Education : Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.


• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.

Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

This position is focused on the proper administration of financial aid verification processes, managing the accuracy of student aid applications by reviewing tax documents, resolving FAFSA data discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. They advise students on eligibility, package financial aid, and verify information to authorize disbursement.

This position manages and maintains core financial aid verification processes within Campus Solutions, administers and reconciles aid corrections, changes, and counsels students on the verification process. This position also manages student workers who assist in the functions of the position. This position is directly responsible for the proper operation of software processes that award and disburse over $110 million in federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid to over 9,000 students.

This occupation relies heavily on Federal Financial Aid knowledge along with a strong emphasis in student aid counseling and data analysis. This position is relied upon to ensure that the financial aid office is administering aid correctly to students according to Federal and State law, so knowledge and comprehension of regulations is critical both to the office and to the University at large.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• (60%) Operations and counseling Daily advising and counseling of students and families on all aspects of the financial aid process.


• Review of student documents collected for verification and correcting discrepant data.


• Image student and parent documents, query creation, review of verification rules and interpreting federal policy in terms of institutional action and responsibility.


• Running of system queries to maintain a timely response to document receipt and continue to uphold the office's compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations, evaluation of suspended ISIRs, adjusting aid and overawards and assisting in other IT related tasks.


• Review of financial aid documents that need resolved and the updating of the student information system.


• Make changes to student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and financial aid awards when applicable.


• Comment student file for discrepant data and seek resolution from the student either through mailings, e-mails, or phone calls.


• Research applicable U.S. Department of Education directive and/or Internal Revenue Service publications for the proper handling and resolution of student files.


• Ensure queries are run and worked as needed for optimal processing of aid.


• Seek to automate processes where applicable and work with the more technical staff in