Financial Aid Advisor, Dougherty Family College

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Financial Aid Advisor I position within the Dougherty Family College.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance 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 and dependents upon eligibility
• Up to 50% tuition remission for spouses 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

Salary Range: $45,000 to $50,000

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Advisor has primary responsibility for strategic support of recruitment and retention efforts designed to support students at Dougherty Family College and 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 Dougherty Family College.  The Advisor is responsible for supporting the effective and compliant management of one (or more) tertiary financial aid programs including understanding the federal/state/institutional regulations and policies associated with that program, supporting policies and procedures that ensure 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 is an active and contributing member to the work of the Financial Aid Office and to Enrollment Services Division and its goals. S/he also contributes to 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. The Financial Aid Advisor I reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid with dotted line management by the Dean and Executive Officer of Dougherty Family College.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Recruitment of Students: Responsible for effectively managing a large territory of prospective students from multiple strategic markets (two-year and/or four-year) 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.
 

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 2-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. Collaborate with other offices on campus on strategies and initiatives to retain students including: Academic Advising, the Business Office, Registrar’s Office, Student Achievement Center, Deans of Students, etc. 
 

Program Management and Compliance: Responsible for the management of one (or more) tertiary financial aid programs including understanding the federal/state/institutional regulations and policies/procedures associated with that program (those programs), supporting 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
 

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 in a relevant field
• One year of progressively more responsible experience within financial aid and/or post-secondary work and experience equivalent to 1-2 years of work within a financial aid office
• Night and weekend work required

Preferred Qualifications

• Program management experience
• Professional experience in a related higher education experience preferred including territory management, sales, financing, relationship building, customer service

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position will close to new applicants midnight, May 9, 2025. 

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

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.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.