Senior Financial Aid Advisor

Job Summary

As a member of the CU Anschutz Financial Aid & Scholarships team, the Senior Financial Aid Advisor provides high‑level guidance to health professions students and families on all aspects of educational funding. The position independently delivers comprehensive advising through in‑person, virtual, phone, and email interactions, helping students navigate application processes, meet documentation requirements, understand complex financial aid regulations, and make informed decisions about financing their education.

In addition to advising, the role supports recruitment, retention, and outreach efforts, manages key work‑study program operations, serves as the liaison to the CU Denver campus for reconciliation issues, and provides training and materials to students and campus supervisors. The Senior Financial Aid Advisor partners with assigned professional programs, offering regulatory guidance, responding to complex inquiries, and ensuring consistent application of financial aid policies and processes.

This role requires strong communication, analytical skills, and the ability to work autonomously in a fast‑paced, student‑focused environment.

The position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Advising.

This position does not supervise others.

• Conduct in‑person, virtual, phone, and email advising sessions.
• Provide guidance on FAFSA, verification, SAP, cost of attendance, loans, and aid options.
• Respond to student inquiries within service‑level expectations.
• Maintain clear, empathetic, accurate communication using team‑approved messaging.

• Review verification documents and resolve conflicting information.
• Process appeals (SAP, budget increases, dependency overrides).
• Track and follow up on incomplete files.
• Process general requests (housing letters, NHSC, needs analysis).
• Assist with processing related projects as needed.

• Deliver presentations or outreach activities to internal and external audiences in alignment with departmental goals.
• Coordinate logistics for outreach events or presentations.
• Adapt presentation content and delivery style based on audience needs, feedback, and setting.
• Report outreach activity as requested.

• Participate in ongoing training to stay current with financial aid regulations, systems, and best practices.
• Attend professional conferences, webinars, and workshops to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Engage in cross‑training opportunities to support office flexibility and coverage.
• Maintain certifications and credentials relevant to financial aid advising.

• Oversee Anschutz work‑study processes, including managing a new CU Anschutz Student Employment inbox.
• Serve as the primary liaison to CU Denver Student Employment for resolving issues.
• Act as the Anschutz campus primary trainer for work‑study policies, hiring processes, and system navigation.
• Develop and maintain Anschutz work‑study resources, guides, handbooks, and training materials.
• Support accurate student payment processing by assisting with reconciliation, monitoring discrepancies, and troubleshooting payroll issues.

• Serve as the designated administrative contact for assigned professional programs to provide guidance on financial aid regulations and respond to complex questions.
• Act as a liaison between Financial Aid and professional program leadership.
• Participate in program‑level meetings to recommend process improvements and ensure follow‑through on action items.
• Translate program‑specific updates into operational guidance for internal staff.

Hybrid – eligible for 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in‑person meetings.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships office, part of the Enrollment Operations division, administers federal, state, and university financial aid and scholarship programs and supports students who have the potential to change the world through their practice and/or research. The team processes aid accurately and in a timely…