"UMMS Financial Aid Officer"

The University of Michigan Medical School is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Financial Aid Officer to join the Office of Medical Student Education - Student Affairs team. In this role, you will provide comprehensive financial aid advising to medical students, including guidance on aid policies, loan management, and personalized debt counseling. You will evaluate complex financial documentation, determine aid eligibility, and exercise professional judgment in unique or challenging cases. This position also manages federal aid programs such as Direct Loans, performs reconciliation and reporting, and supports students from matriculation through graduation with tailored financial strategies. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, student-focused, and well-versed in federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. A bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience are required. Under FSLA, incumbents in this position are non-exempt.

Financial Aid Advising

• Counsel students on financial aid policies and procedures via timely email response, appointments, presentations, and new communication platforms as they arise.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of legislation and regulations governing financial aid programs, need analysis methodology, federal and state tax laws and office policies and procedures.
• Maintain complete working knowledge of policies and procedures of the University as a whole to provide a comprehensive student service network.

Financial Aid Packaging

• Review application documents (including comprehensive family financial statements, federal tax returns, and additional supporting material) containing confidential information for accuracy and completeness. Request additional information where necessary and interpret for use in need analysis.
• Exercise professional judgment, in the resolution of complex, unusual and mitigating student situations.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of financial aid need analysis and packaging software(s).
• Utilize the existing University mainframe systems and/or client server software, any supporting applications, and OFA Network applications and software for the accurate and timely completion of file review and packaging.

Direct Loan Management

• Maintain schedule for and independently perform direct loan draws on a monthly basis.
• Run and review all loan associated monthly (or more frequently as needed) error reports, and resolve issues.
• Perform direct reconciliation on annual basis, as supported by regular upkeep of monthly processes.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of university mainframe systems and/or client server software, any supporting applications, and OFA Network applications and software for the accurate and timely completion of processing and reporting assignments.
• Seek counsel from and provide information to central campus partners as needed.

Debt Counseling

• Seek counsel from and provide information to central campus partners as needed.
• Conduct individual in-depth debt management sessions with graduating students.
• Counsel graduates on loan repayment and consolidation.

General Unit Support

• Act as a general resource for unit partners, provide back-up support and feedback for the office and unit.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1-2 years of applicable administrative experience required; financial aid and higher education experience preferred.
• Experience counseling students, especially at the college level, preferred.
• Experience handling confidential information required.
• Ability to track and meet system deadlines, respond in timely and professional manner to stakeholders, and follow-up on unresolved issues.
• Excellent office technology skills, maintained by regular professional/skill development routine.