The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Financial Aid Advisor II position within the Enrollment Services Department.

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.  We welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experience, physical and intellectual abilities, and financial means. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. This commitment is consistent with our mission to inspire our students, using the Catholic intellectual tradition, to think critically, work skillfully, and act wisely – all for the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Advisor II has primary responsibility for strategic support of recruitment and retention efforts designed to support the strategic enrollment and revenue goals of the university. S/he works directly with students, parents, guardians and community based organizations that are involved in the processes of helping students choose to enroll and/or to persist at the university.  The Financial Aid Advisor II is responsible for: the effective and compliant management of one (or more) significant financial aid programs including understanding the federal/state/institutional regulations and policies associated with that program (those programs), supporting and deploying policy and procedure development that ensures effective and compliant delivery of funds, articulating those policies and procedures to both internal and external constituents and meeting reporting requirements of the governing bodies (and the university) that are associated with the program(s). This role is also responsible for understanding and utilizing technical systems to support their work with students and the management of the program(s) for which they are responsible including but not limited to: Banner, Optix, Cognos, SalesForce (CRM) and program specific reporting applications. S/he works as a member of the Financial Aid Leadership team to: determine annual financial aid awarding processes and procedures, create proactive outreach initiatives for a variety of constituents (both internal and external) regarding financial file completion/financial literacy/financial planning and s/he creates/supports program specific communication strategies. This person directly influences enrollment yield objectives and revenue at the university and has significant fiscal responsibility given the program(s) managed.

Night and weekend work is required for this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.   Recruitment of Students: Responsible for effectively managing a large territory of prospective students from multiple strategic markets and for helping students (parents, guardians, high school counselors, CBO officials, etc.) navigate the financial aid and financing processes so that the student enrolls at St. Thomas.  Direct customer contact via a variety of mediums (phone, email, personal appointments, presentations, etc.) is a daily priority throughout the year and it includes analyzing financial aid data (FAFSA/federal tax information), describing financing strategies and bill navigation, securing completion of financial aid files, using professional judgement to make financial adjustments, awarding financial aid per regulation and university policy, and articulating this successfully to our constituents and other stake holders.  

2.   Retention of Students: Responsible for working with a large territory of continuing students (built from the work done with new students) and for building a 4-year working relationship such that students (parents and others) stay in contact throughout their time at the university. Create/support proactive communication plans/strategies to keep currently enrolled students engaged at and moving through the university – financially. Direct customer contact via a variety of mediums (phone, email, personal appointments, presentations, etc.) is a daily priority throughout the year and it includes analyzing financial aid data (FAFSA/federal tax information), describing financing strategies and bill navigation, securing completion of financial aid files, using professional judgement to make financial adjustments, awarding financial aid per regulation and university policy, and articulating this successfully to our constituents and other stake holders.  Work with the student and other offices on campus to retain the student including: Academic Advising, the Business Office, Registrar’s Office, Student Success Center, Deans of Students, etc. 

3.   Program Management and Compliance: Responsible for the management of one (or more) significant financial aid programs. including understanding the federal/state/institutional regulations and policies/procedures associated with that program (those programs), supporting and deploying policy and procedure development that ensures effective and compliant delivery of funds, articulating those policies and procedures to both internal and external constituents and meeting reporting requirements of the governing bodies (and the university) that are associated with the program(s). This role is also responsible for understanding and utilizing technical systems to support their work with students and the management of the program(s) for which they are responsible including but not limited to: Banner, Optix, Cognos, SalesForce (CRM) and program specific reporting applications 

4.   Campus and External Collaboration: Actively serve on project and process teams within the Enrollment Services Division (and throughout the university) that actively support the strategic goals of the institution including such initiatives as: student of color recruitment, retention initiatives, financial literacy/debt reduction, geographic diversity, etc. Support outreach to high schools and community based organization, deliver financial aid presentations, provide training for currently enrolled students, etc.  Engage in on-going professional development. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three to five years of progressively more responsible experience within financial aid

Night and weekend work is required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Program management experience preferred
• Professional experience in a related higher education area including territory management, sales, financing, relationship building, customer service
• Preference for strong experience with technology related to the work
• Knowledge of business arithmetic, university academic units and programs, financial aid policies, procedures and eligibility requirements, understanding of applicable laws, codes and regulations
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Comfort with data analysis
• Attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills.

An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may be substituted.

HOW TO APPLY

On the University of St. Thomas Jobs page, follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes uploading a resume and copy/pasting a job specific cover letter.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

The University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Human Resources Department advertises the official job listing on its website at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.

The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer