Financial Aid Advisor

Job Description Summary

The Financial Aid Advisor plays a key role in supporting student access and success by providing guidance on financial aid programs and processes while ensuring a high level of customer service. This position is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of student financial aid records, supporting the timely review and awarding of aid in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and contributing to the efficient daily operations of the office. Working collaboratively with team members, the advisor helps facilitate smooth processing workflows, addresses student needs, and promotes clear communication, while upholding strict confidentiality standards and participating in outreach and continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

First Point of Contact

• Advise and provide resource guidance to students, parents, staff, and the public on financial aid application status, policies, procedures, and related inquiries
• Manage email and phone communications
• Provide assistance with FAFSA and other financial aid applications
• Review all documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Enter and update accurate and appropriate data to enable calculations of eligibility for, and awarding of, federal, state, university and donor provided assistance, in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies
• Retrieve and verify financial aid information via institutional and federal systems
• Support student workers in daily operations and customer service delivery

Support the Financial Aid Awarding Processes

• Open and sort mail, scan and track financial aid documents as they are received
• Prepare documents and student files for review utilizing imaging software and queues
• Maintain positive and consistent communication with the counseling team to ensure accurate information about student files is available at all times
• Evaluate requests and determine the appropriate route for the request to be resolved

Perform Other Duties Necessary to Improve Services and Operations of the Office

• Update supervisor of any issues that may compromise compliance with laws, regulations, and policies
• Represent the Financial Aid Office at on-campus events
• Adhere to the Family Education Rights of Privacy Act and the requirements of the Federal Privacy Act as well as institutional communication policies
• Maintain professional competency and proficiency
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested

Required Qualifications

• 1-2 years experience providing service or administrative support, with a strong commitment to a positive customer experience, teamwork, and the accurate dissemination of information
• Technical proficiencies with ability to learn new systems and web-based applications
• Proven ability to understand and perform basic arithmetic computations
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to relate empathetically to diverse constituents
• Ability to prioritize and reprioritize duties and work while experiencing interruptions, distractions, and fluctuating workloads
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions and sound judgments on routine to critical matters

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Familiarity with the basics of financial aid policy and procedure