Job Description - Financial Aid Verification Counselor (39813)
Job Description
Financial Aid Verification Counselor - 39813
University Staff
Description
Financial Aid Verification Counselor
Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment
Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!
Who We Are
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Financial Aid Verification Counselor to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.
At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery-a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.
Salary/Pay Range: $45,000 - $55,000 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.
Work Location: On-Site
Benefits at a Glance
At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We''re proud to offer:
Summary
This position is focused on the proper administration of financial aid verification processes, managing the accuracy of student aid applications by reviewing tax documents, resolving FAFSA data discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. They advise students on eligibility, package financial aid, and verify information to authorize disbursement.
This position manages and maintains core financial aid verification processes within Campus Solutions, administers and reconciles aid corrections, changes, and counsels students on the verification process. This position also manages student workers who assist in the functions of the position. This position is directly responsible for the proper operation of software processes that award and disburse over $110 million in federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid to over 9,000 students.
This occupation relies heavily on Federal Financial Aid knowledge along with a strong emphasis in student aid counseling and data analysis. This position is relied upon to ensure that the financial aid office is administering aid correctly to students according to Federal and State law, so knowledge and comprehension of regulations is critical both to the office and to the University at large.
Essential Functions
The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
(60%) Operations and counseling
Daily advising and counseling of students and families on all aspects of the financial aid process.
Review of student documents collected for verification and correcting discrepant data.
Image student and parent documents, query creation, review of verification rules and interpreting federal policy in terms of institutional action and responsibility.
Running of system queries to maintain a timely response to document receipt and continue to uphold the office's compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations, evaluation of suspended ISIRs, adjusting aid and overawards and assisting in other IT related tasks.
Review of financial aid documents that need resolved and the updating of the student information system.
Make changes to student''s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and financial aid awards when applicable.
Comment student file for discrepant data and seek resolution from the student either through mailings, e-mails, or phone calls.
Research applicable U.S. Department of Education directive and/or Internal Revenue Service publications for the proper handling and resolution of student files.
Ensure queries are run and worked as needed for optimal processing of aid.
Seek to automate processes where applicable and work with the more technical staff in office for the successful understanding and deployment of automation.
Increase the student budgets and thereby increase the eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid because of extraordinary expenses.
Review the students'' documentation and request for the increase and approve or disapprove the adjustment.
Adjust financial aid awards to student (increase/decrease) after new information is received. This could be from a change in enrollment status, family income, housing status, third party payments, assets, size of family or number of household members enrolled in college. Adjustments to aid could include grants, loans, and/or work study.
Deal with the highly technical field of "Need Analysis" and must apply state, federal, and institutional statues and regulations to determine eligibility and award students'' appropriate aid. Advise students on additional resource possibilities.
Audit and verify application materials for completeness and accuracy. Contact students and parents by mail, email or phone to clear up any inconsistencies. Make final award decisions for the University, which include appeals to general rules and regulations by interpreting federal, state and institutional guidelines. Adjust students'' budgets and/or need using "professional judgment." Update and annotate students' files justifying decision.
Counsel and advise students regarding financial aid satisfactory progress requirements to receive and retain their financial aid. Refer students who are having academic and/or personal problems to Academic Advising, Dean of Students, Wellness Center, or the Excel Centers as appropriate.
Maintain expertise in areas of financial aid by attending staff meetings, conferences and workshops, and by studying federal, state, institutional and outside reading sources. These would include the Federal Regulations, Colorado Commission on High Education Handbook, our national and state financial aid association newsletters and miscellaneous trade magazines and newsletters.
Trouble-shoot why a student''s aid was not paid and determine the path to rectify the situation (e.g. packaging problem, disbursement error, SAP issue, residency issue, etc.).
(20%) Communication & Collaboration
Advise as to other community resources that are available.
Acts as an advocate and liaison between students and UCCS and other outside agencies.
Handle customer service related to verification questions; this includes email and phone.
Collaborate with the other staff to ensure a smooth verification process and seek ways to improve the student's experience while still adhering to federal regulations.
Program responsibility will include responding to student emails received in the general email account as well as the uploading of documents received into the financial aid office imaging system.
Help the University''s recruiting effort by participating in Mountain Lion Visit Days, new student orientations, and by providing general financial aid information to prospective students.
Conduct workshops and presentations in high schools, community colleges and other community forums to educate and inform the public about the process and application for state, federal, and institutional aid; as well as the availability of private funding and providing other information about the University.
Written and telephone contact with students and parents in a recruiting effort based on referrals from the Admission Office, the athletic department, the University connection office, student success center, and other campus offices.
Collaborate and confer with other campus offices and individuals on how changes in our or their policies will affect each other, the students and other offices. These offices include Admission and Records, University Connection, University Learning Center, Student Success Center, Bursars and Academic Advising.
(10%) Leadership/Supervision
Be a resource for the customer service student assistants and be available for specific student requests to see a counselor in a more private setting.
Hire, supervise, train, and collaborate with student employees to support the needs of the department.
(10%) Administrative Tasks
Review and update policies and procedures documents as needed
Tentative Search Timeline
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.
Qualifications
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate''s conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination - before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions
Special Instructions to Applicants: · Applications submitted by 5/26/2026 will receive full consideration. · Applications submitted through email or surface mail will not be considered. Please apply at cu.edu/cu-careers (job #: 39813). · Official transcripts will be required upon hire. · Upon request, please be prepared to provide five professional references (at least two previous/current supervisors), including their email contact information. If you have technical difficulties with your application, please contact the CU Careers help desk at 303-860-4200 #5 or cucareershelp@cu.edu. Job related inquiries should be directed to the posting contact. This position does not include new visa sponsorship for individuals outside the U.S. Candidates must already be in the United States with valid work authorization or an employment-based visa. The university will not initiate sponsorship for those who do not currently hold a U.S. work visa or authorization. If you already have valid U.S. work authorization or are on a visa that permits employment, we welcome your application. Applicants should either reside in Colorado or be prepared to relocate within two months of starting employment. We're excited to welcome new team members and will provide support and resources to help make your transition to Colorado as smooth as possible. Application Materials Required: Cover Letter, Resume/CV Application Materials Instructions: Please identify the job specific minimum qualifications you possess in your cover letter and be sure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against the qualifications listed in the posting. To apply, please submit the following application materials to this posting. 1. A current resume. Must include date ranges to include month and year (mm/yyyy) and whether the position was full time or part time. 2. A cover letter that specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications. 3. Unofficial transcripts (up to committee to require with application) When submitting the materials, check the Job Specific Attachments box next to each document in order for the search committee members to see your materials.
Job Category
: Academic Services
Primary Location
: Colorado Springs
Department: C0001 -- Colorado Springs Campus - 40404 - VCEMSA-Financial Aid Admin
Schedule
: Full-time
Posting Date
: May 8, 2026
Unposting Date
: Ongoing
Posting Contact Name: Jevita Rogers
Posting Contact Email: jrogers3@uccs.edu
Position Number: 00002255