Medical School - Financial Aid Counsleor

This position counsels and advises medical students regarding financial aid eligibility and awarding processes, solves problems with minimal oversight, and usually is given the latitude to make decisions on projects for which this position is accountable. This position also assists medical students with financial aid/loan adjustments, manually packages medical students with financial aid when necessary, administers federal direct loans, corrects loan problems, and processes financial aid appeals.

This position assists with the coordination of the ongoing administration of the medical school debt management program through the creation and improvement of available student resources and via one-on-one counseling with students. This position assists with the administration of need-based scholarships and need-based university trust fund loans awarded by the Medical School Financial Aid Office. Additionally, this position manages special, non-University scholarship programs and also participates with year-end reporting for
the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Academic Support Resources supports hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Work arrangements are determined in coordination with supervisors depending on the nature of the unit and position. The arrangement for this position will be determined upon hire between employee and supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

Counsel and advise medical students and applicants with routine as well as complex financial aid problems/issues: (35%)

• Counsel, advise, investigate, problem-solve, and resolve questions and issues from pre-med, medical school applicants, enrolled medical school students, and their families regarding financial aid eligibility and processes.
• Counsel current students on a variety of issues to include eligibility for aid, loan options, debt management, and in-depth program specific questions.
• Provide advising to students with in-depth financial aid questions.
• Explain financial aid eligibility and disbursement of aid, as well as cost of attendance figures, differences, and benefits of various aid types and expected family contribution formulas.

Assist with ongoing administration of debt management program: (25%)

• Conduct in-depth, federal loan repayment exit counseling for graduating medical students; advise on repayment strategies, and options related to loan forgiveness.
• Conduct in-depth financial wellness entrance counseling for incoming medical students; advise students regarding student loan borrow and limits, the cost of attendance, financial wellness topics (i.e., credit, loan repayment, etc.).
• Update and improve available resources provided to students through the debt management program (i.e., personalize one-on-one student meeting agendas, update and maintain Loan Repayment Microsite for graduating medical students, etc.)

Coordinate medical school loan request processing and monitoring of financial aid status queries: (20%)

• Manage and resolve PeopleSoft queries for overawards, Tuition Benefits/Fellowships/SF Transactions, budgets needing adjustment, and award changes.
• Counsel and determine student eligibility for the Federal Primary Care Loan (PCL).
• Work with the OSF loan unit to resolve student loan problems.Process student requests for increase or decrease of student loan funds.

Assist with review of financial aid packaging/awarding for medical students including all medical student loan and scholarship programs: (15%)

• Process cost of attendance appeals (health insurance, computer purchase, housing, child care expense, residency application expense, etc.).
• Assist in Medical student Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review
• Manually package students not batch packaged; assist in developing annual packaging plan and Cost of Attendance figures.
• Assist with the administration of need-based scholarships from the Medical School and University Trust Fund Loans.
• Counsel/advise students regarding their University Student Account questions/concerns. Provide referrals as needed.

Other Duties: (5%)

• Assist in developing and updating written information, email newsletters, videos, and other financial wellness materials for medical students.
• Assist with presentations to prospective and current medical students (Accepted Student Day, Orientation).
• Attend Medical School tracking meetings for student advising/progression - serve as functional financial aid expert.
• Attend in-service/training meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and four years of progressively responsible experience in counseling, financial aid, and/or student services, or a Master's degree with two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven effective communication skills with a variety of audiences (individual and large group), strong customer service focus, time management skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of University, state, and federal financial aid regulations and procedures.
• Technology experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, Google/Microsoft suite (specifically spreadsheets), and CRM platforms.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action.
  
  

The mission of Academic Support Resources (ASR) is to make a positive difference in students' lives. ASR is committed to cultivating and sustaining an environment that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are better equipped to serve and represent our University community by ensuring our culture values differences and individuality.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities of all ASR employees include job knowledge, communication, problem solving/analysis, development, leadership, teamwork, and customer service.

The Office of Student Finance (OSF) manages the initial components of the student finance lifecycle for all University of Minnesota students. OSF calculates financial aid eligibility and manages the awarding, origination, disbursement, recalculation, and return of financial aid. This compliance-forward unit also manages the student finance portion of internal and external audits and partners closely with other Academic Support Resources (ASR) units with billing, accounts receivable, and loan/account collections work.

Pay Range: $55,000 - $60,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and 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
• 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Required materials: Cover letter and resume

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive 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 by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).