Financial Aid Counselor II - Financial Aid and Scholarships

Position Announcement

At Utah Valley University, you'll play a vital role in helping students access the financial resources they need to achieve their educational goals. This position offers the opportunity to lead and manage key federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs while ensuring compliance with complex regulations and policies. Your work will directly impact students' ability to enroll, persist, and succeed by providing responsible stewardship of financial aid resources and ensuring timely, accurate support throughout the aid process.

This role combines leadership, analytical problem-solving, regulatory expertise, and student-focused service in a dynamic higher education environment. You'll collaborate with colleagues across campus, make meaningful decisions that affect students' educational opportunities, and develop specialized knowledge of federal financial aid programs and compliance requirements. From administering aid programs and reviewing eligibility to guiding students and families through financial aid processes, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference while contributing to UVU's commitment to student success, operational excellence, and community engagement.

Summary Of Responsibilities

• Works with a team of Counselor II's processing and updating student accounts in regard to Return of Title IV Funds and overseeing federal and other financial aid programs, such as Direct Loans, Work Study, Pell Grant, Private Education Loans, Gainful Employment, and various State, Institutional, and third-party scholarship and grant programs.
• Daily processing of reports and peripheral documentation pertaining to federal aid eligibility and awarding. Contact federal agencies to resolve student aid discrepancies.
• Advise students and parents in person, by email, via service tickets, and by phone regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
• Develops training programs and informs and/or trains campus departments on federal, state, and institutional funding requirements.
• Assists in the development of training manuals. Continued education through state, regional, and federal trainings. Performs regular area internal audits. Assists co-workers as needed to ensure the department's successful operation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with a bachelor's degree plus three to five years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience: OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the Summary of Duties totaling at least seven years.

For Example

• Bachelor's degree and three years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR a bachelor's degree and four years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR a bachelor's degree and five years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR an associate's degree and five years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR two years of college coursework and five years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR one year of college coursework and six years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
• OR seven years of related experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
  
  

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to financial aid and scholarships, including need analysis, eligibility assessment, verification, packaging strategies, loan awarding, default prevention, Federal Work Study, Return of Title IV, and evaluation of academic progress.
• Knowledge of financial aid institutional policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of computerized financial aid systems, preferably Banner.
• Knowledge of computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint, internet tools, email systems, and other general computer skills.
  
  

Skills

• High technical aptitude and skill in problem solving, technical troubleshooting, decision-making, and prioritizing.
• Effectively uses interpersonal skills and communications skills, including tact, diplomacy, understanding, compassion and valuing all contributions, while maintaining adherence to policies.
• Effectively using organizational and planning skills, with acute attention to detail, exacting accuracy, and follow-through.
  
  

Abilities

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from all different backgrounds.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems in an effective and professional manner.
• Shows initiative and has the ability to effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to effectively provide knowledge and expertise to students, parents, and staff.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to gain and maintain access to federal student aid databases.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all student records in compliance with federal and state regulations (i.e., FERPA, GRAMA, etc.)
• Ability to effectively create, compose, and edit written materials.