Student Finance Counselor 2

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Tuition benefit

Health plans

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement plans

PSLF opportunity

Professional development

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a Financial Aid Verification Specialist to support FAFSA data verification, professional judgment appeals, and complex SAI change reviews. You will provide individualized outreach via email and Zoom, counsel students and families, and respond to inquiries through Salesforce.

Hybrid work arrangements are available, with emphasis on timely, accurate processing and collaboration across the OSF team.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent in counseling, financial aid, or related field; six years total experience may substitute.
• Strong communication and customer service skills required; ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with financial aid regulations and campus systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Verify FAFSA data and assist with verification reviews using Perceptive Content.
• Provide professional judgment assistance and counseling to students and families.
• Counsel students on SAI changes and appeals; communicate outcomes clearly.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Customer service focus

Time management

Meet deadlines

Analytical thinking

Education

BA/BS degree or equivalent

Tools

PeopleSoft Campus Solutions

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

CRM platforms

Job description

About the Job

This position will support the Verification process and provideindividualized outreach and follow-up to students federally andinstitutionally selected for Verification. This position will workin conjunction with the Verification team and support V1 (standardverification) and V5 (identity verification) reviews and processupdates. Additionally, this position will support the Student Aid Index(SAI) Change review process and apply professional judgment whenreviewing financial aid appeals to determine financial aideligibility. This position will provide excellent customer service andsubstantial support/counseling via email and Zoom appointments tothe general population of students, parents, and the Universitycommunity on various financial aid issues. An extensive knowledgeof Salesforce and financial aid is required to respond to inquiriesfrom students, parents, and One Stop related to additionalinformation requests.

Essential Job Functions

FAFSA Data Verification: (25%)

• Quickly and accurately review incoming verification documents inPerceptive Content.
• Effectively use PeopleSoft and Perceptive Content to completechecklists and leave comments on student records.
• Accurately compare FAFSA data with submitted forms and taxdocuments, and make required corrections in FAFSA Partner Portal(FPP) in accordance with OSF Verification procedures.
• Run weekly queries to monitor Verification information and todetect anomalies or situations that require a resolution.
• Remain current on federal and institutional Verification policiesand procedures, as well as updates to tax return data andrequirements.
• Support annual review and update of Verification forms in Jadu,as well as periodic revisions to forms or process changes.
• Regularly assess Verification procedures and identifyopportunities to improve efficiency, equity, and consistency inprocessing.

Professional Judgement Appeal processing (25%)

• Use professional judgment to adjust FAFSA data and repackagestudents for financial aid appeals to include but not limited toSpecial Circumstances.
• Provide start-to-finish service using professional judgment andindividual discretion in both simple and complex issues involvingminimal supervisory guidance.
• Accurately counsel students on impact to their record based onthe type of appeal submitted.
• Thoroughly investigate appeals as well as supportingdocumentation to make decisions; contact appropriate parties forfurther information when needed.
• Understand and utilize financial aid professional judgmentguidelines to recalculate student eligibility for financial aid;award additional aid according to all state, federal, andUniversity regulations.
• Analyze and manage a large volume of records quickly andaccurately.
• Communicate results of appeal to students and parents in aprofessional manner.

Unaccompanied/Homeless Youth and Unusual Circumstances:(20%)

• Manage the review and processing of Unaccompanied/Homeless Youth(UHY) and Unusual Circumstances (UC) appeals in PerceptiveContent.
• Conduct individual appointments with students to assess theircircumstances and make UHY and UC determinations in accordance withfederal regulations and institutional policies.
• Remain current on relevant federal policies and implementationguidance, including the McKinney-Vento Act, and apply changes toprocesses as appropriate
• Serve as primary contact for student and staff questionsregarding the UHY and UC appeals process.

Student Aid Index (SAI) Change Outreach: (15%)

• Run queries to identify FAFSA transactions that have beencorrected and resulted in a change to the student’s SAI.
• Review SAI changes to determine whether they impact the student’sfinancial aid eligibility and as needed, conduct outreach toresolve incomplete or conflicting information.
• Regularly assess SAI change policies and procedures to ensurecompliance with federal regulations while promoting efficient andaccurate processing.
• Serve as primary contact for student and staff questionsregarding the SAI Change process.

Salesforce Outreach: (10%)

• Manage the Salesforce Verification Queue by responding to dailyinquiries from students, parents, and One Stop counselors regardingadditional information requests.
• Provide accurate, timely information to students regardingverification requirements, financial aid policies, and nextsteps.
• Review and reassign Salesforces cases to the appropriate queue,One Stop, or OSF counselor for follow-up and resolution.
• Collaborate with other units (IT, UX, etc.) to develop and updatecommunication templates, processes, and student-facingcommunications.

Attend and participate in meetings and OSF committee work asassigned: (5%)

• Attend regularly-scheduled meetings.
• Participate in unit, OSF, and ASR committee activities.
• Update unit colleagues with regard to new knowledge; initiate anddistribute information to colleagues that may affect and enhancetheir work.
• Implement new information into job functions whereappropriate.
• Identify and attend training sessions needed to ensureknowledgeable and accurate job performance.
• Provide input in a positive manner.
• Listen actively to others.
• Work promptly and attentively.
• Work effectively as a team member.

Qualifications

Required

• BA/BS degree and two years of progressively responsibleexperience in counseling, financial aid, advocacy work and/orstudent services. An equivalent combination of relevant educationand related professional work experience totaling six years may besubstituted in place of a degree.

Preferred (Core Competencies)

• Proven effective communication skills with a variety of audiences(individual and large group), strong customer service focus, timemanagement skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of University, state, and federal financial aidregulations and procedures
• Prior work experience demonstrating service orientated mindset(i.e. counseling, coaching, etc.).
• Technology experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions,Google/Microsoft suite (specifically spreadsheets), and CRMplatforms.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective course ofaction.
• *The employer reserves the right to change or add duties to thisposition as long as the changes and/or additions are consistentwith the job classification.

About the Department

The Office of Student Finance (OSF) is part of the Office ofEnrollment Management (OEM) at the University of Minnesota TwinCities. OSF is committed to cultivating and sustaining anenvironment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We arebetter able to serve and represent our University community byensuring we value differences and individuality.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all OSF employees includejob knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis,development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

OSF manages the initial components of the student finance lifecyclefor all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financialaid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination,disbursement, recalculation, and return of financial aid. Thiscompliance-forward unit also manages the student finance portion ofinternal and external audits and partners closely with units onbilling, accounts receivable, and loan/account collectionswork.

OSF supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Workarrangements are determined in coordination with supervisorsdepending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangementfor this position will be determined upon hire between employee andsupervisor.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $25.00-$26.45 per hour ; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty LaborRepresented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for moreinformation regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package thatincludes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional trainingand degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services tags. Let's finish:
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important tonote that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. Thisapproach ensures that compensation reflect the value and unique contributions ofeach candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of ourcommitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Priority Deadline Note

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on Otober19th, 2026

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

At the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.