Student Financial Advisor

How to Apply

Note: Please upload your resume and cover letter on a single document when applying for this position.

Summary

The Student Financial Advisor (SFA) will provide excellent customer service to students in a proactive manner and utilize problem-solving skills to work with students to promote success and retention. This position coordinates the different aid options to ensure that student tuition obligations are being met.

The SFA is also responsible for all guiding students through key financial aid tasks; including but not limited to: analyzing eligibility, awarding, SAP Appeal, FAFSA verification, ISIR review. Under general supervision, the SFA assesses student eligibility for awarding and related services. The SFA will work proactively and utilize problem-solving skills to promote success through enrollment and retention while maintaining compliance with all internal and federal financial aid policy and procedural information. Internal customer service is extensive and time-sensitive.

Enrollment Management is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse University community that is inclusive of all individuals and groups. Successful candidates will demonstrate leadership and innovation in advancing diversity and dedication to recruiting and serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is one of the three campuses of the University of Michigan. UM-Dearborn, a comprehensive university offering high quality undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education to residents of southeastern Michigan, enrolls nearly 9,000 students. Faculty and students have the opportunity to collaborate across all three campuses in research and scholarly activity. UM-Dearborn is located ten miles west of Detroit and thirty-five miles east of Ann Arbor. The campus is strategically located on 200 suburban acres of the original Henry Ford Estate in the Greater Detroit Metropolitan region.

Responsibilities*

• Effectively communicate/explain all available payment options and necessary steps of the Financial Aid Application Process, student responsibilities, and general affordability
• Provide outstanding customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Extensively provide student-focused, solution-oriented communication, and support to ensure all students are comfortable and sufficiently informed/prepared.
• Possess a basic understanding of federal student aid processes such as FAFSA processing, federal Stafford and plus loan, entrance and exit requirements, verification process and awards, as well as government policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Works closely with various departments, such as admissions, financial services, registrars, and advising to assist students with their tuition obligations.
• Promptly respond to all student questions, concerns, and needs regarding the tuition process within an established timeframe.
• Follow up with students and/or internal departments to ensure the established payment methods are finalized.
• Perform data entry of student's financial aid information and all comments as it relates to student's current status to ensure full and proper documentation.
• Responsible for the collection of complete and accurate documents to ensure each student file contains all necessary documentation as outlined by established guidelines.
• Counsels students with high balance or delinquent accounts and determines if additional financing is needed and how it can be obtained.
• Participates in student activities designed to promote student awareness, retention, and success.
• Understand and assist in determining eligibility for institutional, federal and state aid programs using all available analytical tools and professional discretion, while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and as well as University policies.
• Possess the ability to both evaluate and determine a family?s financial strength by analyzing income from all sources and assets using federal tax returns, business tax returns, etc. Exercise discretion to adjust a family?s income, assets or other data elements used to calculate eligibility based on extenuating and sensitive personal circumstances with a high level of confidentiality.
• Participate in the Special Circumstances Review Committee, SAP Committee or other committee as requested.
• Uses a database and a variety of computer software to maintain and monitor confidential and other student records and files.
• Attend financial aid training activities as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills You Have

• Knowledge of Title IV financial aid regulations and programs, preferred
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, prioritization and attention to detail skill sets
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills and enthusiasm, as well as respect for individuals
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to manage customers with high expectations
• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team oriented office environment
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service

Required Qualifications*

• A bachelor's degree is required
• A minimum of 1-4 years of financial aid experience is preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of Title IV financial aid regulations and programs preferred, but not required.
• Strong customer service background
• Must be able to lift 10-25 pounds.
• Must not be in Default or Overpayment in any Title IV Federal Programs (Pell, Loans, etc.).

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with Banner student information system

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.