Financial Aid Advisor

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for coordinating specific financial aid programs by advising students, awarding financial aid and monitoring students in financial aid programs.

Duties & Essential Job Functions

1. Advises applicants regarding financial aid options by explaining federal, state and institutional regulations and procedures; rights and responsibilities of federal and state student loans; and satisfactory academic process requirements; making financial aid presentations to groups of prospective and admitted students and parents.
2. Determines awards by interpreting federal tax returns, W-2s and federal verification documents to assess family’s financial standing and to insure compliance with Title IV regulations; utilizing professional judgement, when appropriate, to override applicable regulations and/or make exceptions to policy; accessing eligibility and determining appropriate awards for student applicants; monitoring enrollment for students to ensure they receive the appropriate credit for the hours enrolled and to ensure the appropriate number of hours are completed and the GPA attained to meet requirements of the Financial Aid Statement of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
3. Manages specific financial aid programs by reconciling expenditures and preparing documentation for auditors; preparing funding applications and reports for applicable agencies.
4. Supervise support staff by monitoring and making appropriate decisions regarding the duties assigned to these positions; complete evaluations for assigned staff.
5. Solves problems for prospects and students by acting as liaison between the financial aid office and other TCU departments; resolving loan issues through communication and with lenders, guaranty and servicing agencies.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience

Associate’s degree and 2 years of experience in student financial aid, higher education administration or in a related environment providing customer service and program management.
OR
High School Diploma or GED and 4 years of experience in student financial aid, higher education administration or in a related environment providing customer service and program management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic accounting processes.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Knowledge of communications and interpersonal techniques.
• Knowledge to establish and maintain databases.
• Skill in some or all components of Microsoft Office.
• Skill in the navigation of Microsoft Windows.
• Ability to clearly communicate information.
• Ability to draft grammatically correct correspondence.
• Ability to interact with students.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations)

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.