Job Description

Job Summary
The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled candidate with expertise administering financial aid in complex, unique and mitigating student situations. The Senior Financial Aid Administrator for Loans evaluates student aid application compliance, utilizes autonomous professional judgment, determines eligibility for various financial aid programs, and is responsible for data integrity and record maintenance. Financial Aid Administrators within the Office of Financial Aid have different areas of emphasis.

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Loan Programs, this role will require specialization in application processing, packaging, and student loan program administration. The candidate is expected to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative proficiency, intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills. Competent administration of the aid process in a highly complex and regulated environment will be essential. Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills are also essential in providing quality customer service to students, families and campus partners.

Who We Are
The University of Michigan is a premier public research university with more than 53,488 students, including 35,358 undergraduates, and is firmly committed to serving the people of Michigan, and the world, through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic value. U-M is in high demand, with a record 115,957 undergraduate first-year and transfer applicants in fall 2025 and 9,711 incoming undergraduate students enrolling.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students' experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. The division collaborates with campus partners, faculty, and staff in support of the university's mission.

OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members and more than 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units - the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*
Assess eligibility for financial aid programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid with an emphasis on professional student financial aid and student loan programs. Authorize aid for which the student is eligible, ensuring compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, and laws.
Autonomously exercise professional judgement to resolve complex, unusual, and mitigating eligibility circumstances, and amend aid offers appropriately.
Maintain knowledge of and interpret Federal Title IV regulation and guidance, state program directives, institutional awarding policies, needs analysis methodologies, federal and state tax law, and office policies and procedures.
Counsel and advise students and family (individually and in groups) on financial aid programs, policies and procedures. Assist students in making responsible financial decisions. Liaison with and refer students to other UM offices and outside agencies as appropriate.
Develop and manage assigned financial aid programs, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies, including awarding, policy and procedure documentation, process innovation, and staff updates/training as needed.
Liaison with assigned university offices at the University of Michigan Medical School as a subject-area expert on professional student aid eligibility and student loan programs.
Retain and update complete working knowledge of aid management software. Advise on software concerns.
Represent the Office of Financial Aid at professional conferences and workshops internal and external to the University of Michigan as a subject-area expert.
Assist in other areas as assigned by the Executive, Associate, or Assistant Directors.
This position may require travel to events and workshops. Any required travel will be subject to U-M restrictions, reimbursement policies, and public health guidelines.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, certification and experience.
2+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid in a post-secondary, accredited institution.
Ability to make independent decisions, appropriately utilize professional judgment, and to interpret federal/state/institutional regulations/policies/procedures a must.
Ability to manage multiple projects, stay on task, and the ability to prioritize required work to meet deadlines.
High level of communication skills, both verbal and written
Desired Qualifications*
Experience working with Oracle/PeopleSoft SIS and/or ELM Resources.
Experience administering federal student loans.