Financial Aid Advisor - Scholarships, Intermediate or Senior

Northern Arizona University

Special Information

• This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
• This position is for an Intermediate or Senior level position, based on the selected candidates qualifications, skills and experience. Individuals should mention which level position they are applying for in their cover letter, or application materials.

About the Department/College

Northern Arizona University is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate (or Senior) to join the Scholarships team who is committed to the Enrollment Management values of student service, integrity, valuing human difference, engagement, sustainability, responsibility, and excellence.

This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of the organization. It is expected that the employee demonstrates behavior consistent with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Office's (OFSA) core values (Empowerment, Service, Respectful Communication, Advocacy, Accountability and Integrity) and supports the strategic plan of the division of Enrollment Management strategic plan.

About the Position

The Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate-Scholarships, Scholarship Universe within the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) position assists in the implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible Scholarships Universe program centralization at Northern Arizona University. The position oversees the overall coordination of the Northern Arizona University Foundation Scholarship program within Scholarship Universe totaling over 600 scholarships. This includes the evaluation and coordination of the NAU Foundation and private financial aid awards, serves as the department liaison, participates in the planning and organization of the awarding process to ensure compliance, quality control and accurate and timely processing of requests. The advisor also serves as a key team resource, frequently stepping in to assist colleagues with various scholarship processes and helping the unit adapt to seasonal workload demands.

This position reports to the Scholarship Manager and is located on the Flagstaff Mountain campus.

Responsibilities Include

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate:

Scholarship Application Portal Maintenance - 60%

• Oversees and maintains Scholarship Universe Scholarship portal.
• Updates portal with NAUF scholarship information.
• Works with Business Analysts on uploading data from PeopleSoft to Scholarship Universe.
• Notifies students via Scholarship Universe of eligibility.
• Work collaboratively with Operations areas and other departments' campus-wide, including but not limited to Service Center, Solution Center, Office of the Registrar, and Student Account Department Services.
• Monitors the expenditure of funds in each of NAU foundation scholarships.
• Making necessary changes in Scholarship Universe based on new/updated Gift Agreement details, including changes to Portfolio/Opportunity Details, Qualifications, Questions, etc.
• Requests additional information for any incomplete or inconsistent requests to perform accurate award assessments.
• Update Payout Details for Opportunities in Scholarship Universe. This will determine the amount of money that can be awarded for the New Cycle.
• Oversees the coordination of the university scholarship committees.
• Re-awards Scholarships as needed.
• Implement ideas for streamlining processes for efficiency.
• Proactive with identifying students for scholarships if no one applied in OSFA Scholarship Application.
• Completes and submits reporting requirements for several scholarship reports on a regular basis.
• Answers questions, inquiries or requests of students, parents, departments or staff in person, in writing or by telephone regarding scholarship eligibility and awards.

Scholarship Universe Management - 20%

• Confers with and advises staff, students and others to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions; refers to appropriate department or person when unable to respond.
• Acts as a resource to academic departments on Scholarship Universe navigation.
• Collaborate with Colleges/Departments to review changes implemented by Central Team.
• Testing/troubleshooting before scholarship application goes live.
• Participate in special projects and cross-training within office as needed.
• Ensure operations is following federal, state and institutional regulations and provide and communicate timely resolutions as needed.
• Interacts and maintains excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, students and outside/community agencies in facilitating Student Financial Aid program objectives.
• Assists Assistant Director of Scholarships in meeting the usage objectives of departmental, and state scholarship accounts.
• Respond to applicant questions.
• Resolve any urgent technical issues and general help questions about Scholarship Universe usage and notify applicant directly (email, phone, etc.).

Collaboration and Teamwork - 20%

• Develops and fosters a collaborative work environment Investigate student accounts as needed to resolve any and all problems.
• Updates policies and procedures pertaining to the awarding of foundation scholarships on an annual basis.
• Assist in testing updates and fixes, system upgrades, and other data processing as needed.
• Supports teammates and key processes during peak periods.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior:

(Similar responsibilities as Intermediate, with additional details like independently identifying enhancements.)

Minimum Qualifications

For the intermediate level:

• Associates or Bachelor's degree.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

For the senior level:

• Undergraduate Bachelor's degree.
• 3 - 5 years of administrative/coordination experience.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.*

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong team orientation.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience working in a higher education financial aid setting, or scholarship office.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Proficient in use of PeopleSoft Student Administration software, as well as working knowledge of Salesforce case management and OnBase document imaging.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

(Details on knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed.)

Compensation

Intermediate salary range begins at $42,409. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Senior salary range begins at $44,421. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.