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Position Title:

Financial Aid Scholarship Specialist

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Financial Aid Officer

Job Duties:

• Provides oversight for the administration of all scholarships/scholarship programs. 
• Adjusts student financial aid awards as needed due to the addition of a scholarship, waiver, or outside resource.
• Maintains record keeping for all scholarship categories and reconciles accounts monthly.  
• Serves as a point of contact for students, families, scholarship agencies, and university partners with questions or concerns related to the various scholarship programs to ensure compliance, efficiency, and a high level of customer service. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with appropriate UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation staff, UWL Admissions Office, UWL International Education and Engagement, private scholarship agencies, UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity, academic departments, and UWL Business Services.
• Oversees the management of the outside scholarship database.
• Processes general undergraduate and graduate student FAFSA review and awarding.
• Assists with walk-ins, phone calls, e-mails.

The Division of Academic Affairs encompasses a wide array of activities and functions that ensure the overall academic quality of the institution. This includes providing administrative oversight and academic leadership for: the College of Business Administration; the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities,; the College of Science and Health; the School of Education; Murphy Library; Admissions; Records and Registration; Financial Aid; Career Services; Academic Advising; University Graduate Studies; Continuing Education and Extension; the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs; the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creativity; the Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning; Institutional Research; and International Education & Engagement. Academic Affairs also provides leadership and support to the nearly four hundred full-time faculty and instructional academic staff, 73 percent of whom hold terminal degrees. Through its various functions, the Division of Academic Affairs supports students in the pursuit of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education as well as scholarly activity.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

 The review of applications starts on January 20, 2026. Applications received on or before January 20th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. 

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Preform duties of Financial Aid Counselor

FAFSA application review: 

• Per federal law, review and verify information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by comparing application information to documentation provided by the family/student. 

• Analyze information, resolve conflicts, make corrections and/or complete further investigation when appropriate.

Advising Students/Families Regarding Financial Aid: 

• Counsel prospective and current students in person, virtual, and via telephone/email on financial aid matters. 

• Use Federal Student Aid professional judgment to revise student eligibility, financial aid offers, and decide on appeals for additional aid based on special or unusual circumstances.

 

Customer Service: 

• Assist with office phone calls, e-mails, in-person visits.

• Learn campus resources to refer students and families as needed.

Process and Maintain all Scholarship Awards and Related Recordkeeping for the Financial Aid Office.

• Coordinate the administrative functions for both institutional and private scholarships, stipends, waivers and other outside awards, ensuring compliance and exceptional customer service.

• Establish and maintain procedures regarding the processing of scholarship awards to include efficient and accurate awarding often requiring verification of student information. 

• Audit, verify and revise student awards, communicating with students/agencies when appropriate. 

• Coordinate communication with all institutional partners who assist with the scholarship award process including Business Services, UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation, Residence Life, International Education and Engagement, Admissions Office, Graduate and Extended Learning, UWL First! Scholars, UWL Eagle Apprentices, McNair Scholars, FYRE Scholars, and others. 

• Create and maintain the spreadsheet of institutional nonresident tuition waivers. 

• Work closely with the Admissions Office in the scholarship awarding process, throughout the recruitment process. 

• Work closely with the UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation in the scholarship awarding process, throughout the award year.

• Respond to all inquiries related to scholarships on behalf of the Financial Aid Office. 

• Oversee the management of the outside scholarship database.

Department:

Financial Aid

Compensation:

$46,000-$47,000 / per year

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning earned by start date
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to use discretion and good judgment regarding confidential information
• Ability to problem-solve and exercise independent judgment and initiative
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience with college student financial aid, financial literacy, and/or scholarship administration
• Experience with scholarship program development and administration
• Experience with Oracle’s PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Enterprise System
• Work experience with student and/or colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Skilled in customer service and public relations

How to Apply:

Required application documents:

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications) 

CV / Resume

Contact Information:

Special Notes:

Application deadlines 
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. 

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials 
UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. 
 
CBC & Reference Check Policy 
All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. 

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) 
For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. 

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS 
Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. 
Highlights include: 

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions. 

• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. 

• Paid holidays and paid sick days.

• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. 

• Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. 

 
Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.