Financial Aid Counselor or Financial Aid Specialist

Position Summary:

Job Description:

Financial Aid Counselor or Financial Aid Specialist

Western Colorado University a mid-size public university deep in the heart of the Rockies is seeking customer service oriented and dynamic applicants for full-time Counselor or Specialist positions in the Financial Aid Office. These positions provide services to students parents and university staff and are IN PERSON on our local campus (not remote).

Job Responsibilities for Counselors and Specialists:

• Provide counseling to prospective and current students and their families with accurate information regarding the application process estimated financial aid eligibility including federal state and institutional forms of aid; manage all aspect of student financial aid processes accurately and efficiently.

• Collect review and evaluate student financial aid applications and financial aid forms. Verify documentation submitted meets federal state and institutional policies.

• Review financial aid results with students and families and offer solutions.

• Formulate financial aid packages perform needs analysis and certify loans.

• Outreach pro-actively and perform diligent follow-up on incomplete Financial Aid action items to complete their requirements within established deadlines and financial aid options for paying account balances.

• Respond accurately to high levels of inbound calls and emails from prospective and current students and their families. Handle all inquiries with courtesy and professionalism.

• Participate in student recruitment events and activities.

• Contribute to an inclusive work environment. Demonstrate a commitment to the development of skills and practices to engage respectively across cultures and backgrounds.

• Contribute to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned by the Director and the Vice President.

Financial Aid Specialist Additional Responsibilities

• Provide training mentorship and leadership to entry level Financial Aid Counselors and assist with day to day management of the counseling staff to ensure consistency in packaging and implementation of all financial aid programs. Should possess advanced knowledge of federal Title IV regulations.

• Acts as the primary counselor to students in special programs such as the Rady Engineering Partnerships Adult Degree Completion Study Abroad and Tuition Assistance (service members) programs.

• Verify documentation and utilize professional judgment to evaluate changes in student/family circumstances that affect students financial aid offers.

• Resolve conflicts with students and parents on financial aid and student account issues.

• Primary certification specialist for private loans and AmeriCorps Educational awards.

• Manages Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals review process and the Exit Counseling program administered by the institution.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree

• Financial Aid Counselor position: One (1) year of experience in customer service.

• Financial Aid Specialist position: Two (2) years of experience in Financial Aid or a closely related field.

• Strong organization time management and multi-tasking skills

• High level of interpersonal communication skills- written and oral

• Ability to do highly detailed work

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and changing environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Financial Ais Specialist: Experience working in a bilingual higher education setting with student information systems.

• Knowledge of management information systems in a higher education environment

• Working knowledge of Workday Student Information System

• Advanced knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and policies

• High level of supervisory and communication skills both written and oral

• Bilingual communication skills verbal and/or print

• Experience communicating with diverse populations

Compensation: $47000 - $49000 annual salary rate dependent on experience and appointment as either Financial Aid Counselor or Financial Aid Specialist. These positions are FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime and non-classified). Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan dental insurance retirement plan life insurance and other insurance options. After one year of employment Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

Application Procedure: Apply online at . Required attachments to online applications include: cover letter resume and contact information for three references.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act in any materials you submit you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age date of birth or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Please direct questions to the search committee chair at .

Application Deadline: February 5th 2026 at 11:59pm (MST).

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of 3700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates 33% are graduate students and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries 50 states and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17 Westerns faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized rigorous and immersive education. Visit learn more about the university.

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison Colorado about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals exhibitions performances wellness activities and the winter many enjoy in skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country the summer bikers hikers and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails while others delight in fishing boating and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.

An Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/vets.

Western Colorado University believes that equity diversity and inclusion drive our success and we encourage candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (for state classified positions with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement and our DEII Committee charge.

ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment including completing the application process interviewing completing any pre-employment testing participating in the employee selection process and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at or .

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS