Financial Aid Advisor

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Advisor independently completes routine and non-routine processes with a high level of efficiency and accuracy, and explains processes to students, staff and the public. This position is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of a program(s) including pertinent regulatory guidelines from primary source documents, as well as institutional and internal procedures. The position provides training for staff, and makes policy recommendations.

Highline College is looking to fill key program roles in R2T4, refund returns, fraud investigation, and other program specialties.

This position is exempt over-time eligible. After completing training (6 months), successful candidates will be eligible to work a hybrid schedule of on campus and remote in accordance with both college policy and office needs, currently 3 days on campus, 2 days remote. This position is responsible for working our evening shift, currently Tuesdays from 5-6pm.

Reporting directly to the Director of Financial aid, this position will:

• Provide consumer information regarding financial aid programs at the Financial Aid Customer Service Counter, entry services, workshops, appointments, over the telephone, by email, and on a drop in basis to students, staff, and external agencies;
• Manage a financial aid program(s) such Return of Title IV, refund returns, and fraud investigation and other program specialties;
• Perform full-service functions related to all aspects of the Financial Aid programs including, but limited to, determining eligibility for student financial aid programs, awarding aid, and reconciling Federal, State, and Institutional accounts;
• Determine and monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress status and update records accordingly;
• Counsel students, verify applicant data, determine financial need, and award financial aid funds;
• Provides advising about available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements and the application process to students and parents;
• Analyzes and evaluates financial aid eligibility for students;
• Provides relevant financial aid related support to students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services;
• Monitors financial aid progress and documentation for students. For students needing assistance completing their file, provides additional follow up advising as needed;
• Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided;
• Exercise professional judgement to determine if adjustments should be made; makes award adjustments and recalculates on less complex cases as appropriate;
• Review federal regulations and makes recommendations on office policy and procedures;
• Conducts financial aid workshops on and off campus and through Zoom;
• Assist the Director in completing federal, state, and institutional surveys and reports;
• Collaborates with multiple funding service providers.

Ability to:

• Use computer-based Financial Aid Management systems such as PeopleSoft or Banner;
• Accurately and efficiently complete a broad range of student aid processes and procedures without assistance;
• Advise students on an individual or group basis on all aspects of financial aid;
• Handle interpersonal interactions, including challenging students, parents and others;
• Relate effectively with a wide diversity of students, faculty, staff and community members with sensitivity, tact, patience, and respect;
• Use the Microsoft Office Suite effectively, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and OneNote;
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a wide range of individuals using the English language.

Required skills:

• Strong computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, MS Teams, and Outlook;
• Strong typing skills (minimum 40 words per minute);
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree; AND
• Successful candidate must agree to complete Bachelor's level degree within 3 years of hire date.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree;
• 1 years of financial aid or student funding experience;
• Experience working with, or in, other higher education offices;
• Ability to speak multiple languages, especially Spanish, Pashto, Dari or other Middle Eastern languages, Somali and other languages;
• Experience working with databases;
• Extremely strong typing skills (50+ words per minute);
• Experience with Microsoft's Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote software, as well as Zoom.

About Highline College

Highline College prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equity, its institutional culture of collegiality and innovation, its globalization of curricula and its inclusion of the community in its programming. Founded in 1961, Highline College is situated in a diverse community just 15minutes south of Seattle. The college annually serves more than 16,500 students – a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages.