Financial Aid Officer - Enrollment and Retention | Financial Aid Office

Universities of Wisconsin · Whitewater · $45,000–$48,925 (stated in the posting)

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Position Title:

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Job Profile:

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Attention:

The Financial Aid Office at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Financial Aid Officer.

Position Summary:

This position provides excellent customer service and guidance to financial aid applicants and their families throughout the financial aid application process; completes review and verification of financial aid applications; determines financial aid eligibility within the parameters of federal, state, and institutional policies; and is responsible for the oversight of one or more financial aid programs.

Job Duties:

Counsel students and their families regarding the availability of, eligibility for, and application process for financial aid funds.

• Responsible for advising in person, via phone, and email for an assigned subset of students, equating to approximately 25 percent of financial aid applicants.

• Each work week, serve as the walk-in counselor for a half-day shift.

• Develop and conduct financial aid presentations for various prospective and current student groups.

Complete review and verification of financial aid applications and award federal, state, and institutional financial aid.

• Review verification worksheets, tax documents, and other forms to perform federally-regulated verification.

• Review various documents for student eligibility, including marriage certificates, birth certificates, citizenship documentation, etc.

• Review reports regarding various aspects of student eligibility, including students close to federal loan limits, one semester only students, changes to residency status, and others.

• Exercise sound professional judgment within federal guidelines when processing extenuating circumstance requests, dependency overrides, and other professional judgment requests.

• Revise financial aid when students receive outside funding.

• Process various reports to monitor financial aid eligibility and make appropriate adjustments to financial aid. These include changes to loan eligibility, enrollment changes, etc.

Manage the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars (FFWS) program.

• Determine student eligibility and award FFWS grants both in PeopleSoft and the FFWS data system.

• Determine student eligibility and award the FFWS stipend in PeopleSoft.

• Report grades, credits, and credentials in the FFWS database for both fall and spring terms.

• Assist UW-Whitewater FFWS Office with student mentorship, when possible.

• Process fund requests and conduct reconciliation of all FFWS funds received and disbursed.

• Report financial aid pre-award and post-award data and academic information in the FFWS database system.

Develop and maintain Policies and Procedures Manual.

• Assist with developing policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance of all federal, state, and institutional programs/aid using the NASFAA Compliance Engine.

• Research federal regulations using U.S. Department of Education websites, handbooks, NASFAA, WASFAA, FSA Knowledge Center, and other Department of Education publications.

Miscellaneous duties as assigned; may include but not limited to:

• Prepare for and actively participate in staff meetings.

• Participate in professional development opportunities to maintain professional knowledge and share this knowledge with the entire office staff.

• Maintain operational knowledge of financial aid systems, including NSLDS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.

Conditions of Appointment:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in collecting, preparing, and analyzing financial aid data for stakeholders

• Triages processes or applications if issues arise

• Awards financial aid to qualifying students

• Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid to qualifying students according to established policies and in compliance with federal and state regulations

• May hire, train, and supervise student employees

• Serves as a point of contact to third party stakeholders about financial aid information and processes

Department:

Financial Aid Office

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting salary within the range of $45,000 - $48,925 ,commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

• Previous professional work experience in higher education student services

• Knowledge of or ability to learn and understand Title IV federal financial aid regulations and related resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of direct, programmatic experience in student financial aid administration, including knowledge of and experience working with federal and state regulations and aid programs, file review/verification, and Federal Student Aid systems (COD, NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect/FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.).

• Experience with integrated student information systems, preferably PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, and ImageNow document imaging system.

• Master’s degree in higher education administration or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent customer service and verbal/written communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, and staff.

• Ability to work independently under moderate supervision and work cooperatively with others as an effective team member.

• Thorough attention to detail.

• Organized and able to exercise time management skills.

• Basic mathematical computation skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to interact respectfully and collaborate with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including students, parents, staff, and faculty.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Melissa Walton

waltonm@uww.edu

(262) 471-1385

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by March 1st, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses.

The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics.

As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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