Financial Aid Counselor - Athletics & Scholarships chez The Board of Trustees for the University of Northern Colorado

POSITION TITLE:  Financial Aid Counselor - Athletics & Scholarships COMPENSATION RANGE: 51,000.00 - 53,045.00 USD per year EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative DEPARTMENT: Office of Financial Aid TARGET HIRE DATE: 12/1/2025 BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 11/06/2025.

Position Summary:

This positionsupports the Office of Financial Aid by serving as the primary administratorand liaison for all NCAA athletic aid programs and by assisting with theprocessing of private scholarships. The Financial Aid Counselor – Athletics & Scholarships ensures the accurate and compliant awarding, monitoring, and reconciliation ofathletic scholarships while providing administrative and processing support fordonor-funded and external scholarships. In addition to specialized aidadministration, the Counselor provides direct financial aid advising tostudents and families, interprets complex institutional, state, and federalregulations, and collaborates with the Athletics Compliance Office, Bursar,Registrar, and other campus partners to maintain compliance and service excellence.The position contributes to the office’s student-centered mission by helpingensure that all communications and processes, particularly those involvingstudent-athletes and scholarship recipients, are accurate, empathetic, andsupportive of student success.

Job Duties:

Athletic AidAdministration – 55%
This positionadministers all aspects of NCAA athletic scholarships in coordination with theAthletics Department. The Counselor verifies eligibility and coordinates theawarding, renewal, or cancellation of athletic aid in compliance with NCAA, BigSky Conference, and institutional policies. Each term, the Counselor reconcilesathletic aid with Athletics Compliance and Accounting Services to ensureaccuracy and prevent over-awards, maintaining all required documentation andpreparing reports for NCAA audits and internal reviews. The role collaborateswith coaches and compliance staff to confirm award adjustments and ensuretimely processing and provides training and guidance to Athletics staffregarding financial aid procedures and compliance expectations.

PrivateScholarship Support – 20%

The Counselorassists with the posting and reconciliation of private and donor-fundedscholarships in coordination with the Assistant Director of Financial Aid –Scholarships. This includes communicating with Bursar to confirm fund depositsand accurate posting, maintaining records that support donor stewardship andtimely correspondence, and identifying or reporting potential over-awards orconflicts between private scholarships and other aid sources. The Counseloralso serves as a secondary contact for students and staff with questionsrelated to private scholarships.

FinancialAid Advising – 15%

This positionadvises students and families on financial aid eligibility, applicationprocedures, and award adjustments. The Counselor provides individualizedguidance to student-athletes regarding satisfactory academic progress, renewalcriteria, and responsible borrowing. The role exercises professional judgmentconsistent with federal and institutional policies when evaluating studentcircumstances, maintains thorough documentation, and ensures confidentiality inall communications.

Collaboration,Outreach, and Policy Development – 10%

The Counselorcollaborates with Athletics Compliance, the Registrar, Bursar, and other campusoffices to ensure consistent and compliant administration of aid. The positioncontributes to process improvement and staff training initiatives across theOffice of Financial Aid, represents the office at recruitment, orientation, andoutreach events—particularly those involving Athletics—and assists indeveloping and maintaining internal policies and procedures related toscholarship and compliance processes. Responsibilities and duties are subjectto change based on the changing needs of the office.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA Required

• The ideal candidate will bring at least one year of professional experience in financial aid administration.
• Experience should include exposure to federal, state, or institutional aid processes and a working knowledge of regulatory requirements and system operations.
• Prior experience supporting athletic or donor-funded scholarship programs, student advising, or financial aid counseling is also beneficial.
• Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience may be considered.

PreferredQualifications:

• NASFAA credentials preferred but not required

Abilities:

• A foundational understanding of Title IV, NCAA, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, as well as the ability to interpret and apply complex policies with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and reconciliation skills with close attention to detail are essential.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex information to students, families, and campus partners.
• Bilingual communication skills, with Spanish/English preferred, are highly valued to effectively serve UNC’s diverse student population.
• Professionalism, empathy, and discretion are required when handling confidential or sensitive situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and student information systems such as Banner or comparable platforms, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and contribute positively within a collaborative, student-centered environment.

SpecialConsiderations:

• This position bridges Athletics and the Office of Financial Aid, requiring collaboration, accuracy, and a strong commitment to compliance and equitable service. Success depends on the Counselor’s ability to communicate clearly, build trust with students and campus partners, and uphold the integrity of institutional and NCAA aid programs while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44%  of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college.  UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub,to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

EEO Statement
The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’scompliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or [email protected]. 

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.