Description
The Financial Aid Advisor II provides comprehensive financial aid
counseling and administrative support to prospective and enrolled
students and their families. The position is responsible for
advising students regarding federal, state, institutional, and
other sources of financial assistance; evaluating financial aid
eligibility; interpreting and applying applicable regulations and
institutional policies; and assisting students in understanding
their financial aid awards and responsibilities.
The Financial Aid Advisor II performs duties requiring a higher
level of independent judgment, technical knowledge, and
problem-solving than an entry-level financial aid advisor. The
position may serve as a subject-matter resource to other financial
aid staff, assist with complex student cases, and participate in
financial aid outreach, training, compliance, and
process-improvement initiatives.
Examples of Duties
Financial Aid Advising
- Counsel students and families regarding financial aid programs,
eligibility requirements, application procedures, award
information, and student responsibilities.
Explain complex financial aid concepts and regulations in a
clear and accessible manner.
Review individual student circumstances and provide appropriate
guidance regarding available financial aid options.
Assist students in resolving financial aid issues that may
affect enrollment, registration, or receipt of funds.
Provide individualized assistance to students through
in-person, telephone, email, virtual, and other communication
channels.
Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance
with applicable federal and state laws and institutional
policies.
Financial Aid Administration
- Review and process financial aid applications and supporting
documentation.
- Determine and/or assist with determining student eligibility
for federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid
programs.
- Review student records for completeness, accuracy, conflicting
information, and outstanding requirements.
- Process professional judgment or special circumstance requests
in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional
procedures.
- Assist with verification and resolution of discrepancies in
financial aid applications and student records.
- Review and adjust financial aid awards as appropriate based on
changes in enrollment, eligibility, outside resources, cost of
attendance, or other circumstances.
- Assist with the administration of grants, scholarships, loans,
work-study, and other financial aid programs.
- Monitor student eligibility and assist with resolving issues
related to satisfactory academic progress and other eligibility
requirements.
Compliance and Regulatory Responsibilities
- Apply federal, state, and institutional financial aid
regulations and policies to individual student situations.
- Maintain working knowledge of applicable financial aid
regulations, including Title IV requirements.
- Assist with required documentation, reporting, reconciliation,
audits, and compliance reviews.
- Identify potential compliance issues and refer complex or
unusual matters to appropriate supervisory staff.
- Maintain accurate and complete documentation in accordance with
institutional and regulatory requirements.
Student Outreach and Education
- Conduct financial aid presentations, workshops, orientation
sessions, and outreach programs for students, parents, and
prospective students.
- Develop and distribute financial aid information and
educational materials.
- Participate in recruitment, enrollment, retention, and
student-success initiatives as appropriate.
- Promote financial literacy and help students understand the
financial implications of borrowing and other forms of financial
assistance.
Lead/Advanced Responsibilities
- Serve as a resource to Financial Aid Advisors and other staff
regarding complex financial aid questions and procedures.
- Assist with training and onboarding new financial aid
staff.
- May review complex or escalated student cases and make
recommendations for resolution.
- Assist with updating office procedures, forms, training
materials, and website content.
- Participate in process-improvement initiatives designed to
improve service delivery, accuracy, efficiency, and
compliance.
- May coordinate specific financial aid programs, projects, or
functional areas as assigned.
Other Duties:
- Maintain accurate student records and case notes.
- Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and
institutional initiatives.
- Assist during peak processing and enrollment periods, including
extended hours or special events when necessary.
- Handles more complex and sensitive financial aid cases
independently.
- Exercises greater judgment in interpreting regulations and
institutional policies.
- Serves as a resource/subject-matter expert for other
staff.
- May train or mentor Financial Aid Advisor I staff.
- May coordinate assigned programs or functional areas.
- Participates in compliance, process improvement, and
departmental projects.
- Escalates only the most complex or unusual cases to
management.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or
an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, as
permitted by institutional policy.
- Minimum of 2–3 years of progressively responsible experience in
financial aid, student services, higher education administration,
or a related field.
- Working knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs
and regulations.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, regulations, and
procedures and apply them to individual circumstances.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and
customer-service skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
appropriately.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity
software.
- Ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty,
staff, and external organizations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with a higher education student information
system and/or financial aid management system.
- Experience with FAFSA processing, verification, professional
judgment, satisfactory academic progress, federal student loans,
grants, scholarships, and work-study.
- Experience with federal Title IV regulations and financial aid
compliance requirements.
- Experience providing financial aid counseling in a college or
university environment.
- Experience training or mentoring other financial aid
staff.
- Knowledge of financial aid technology and electronic processing
systems.
