"Financial Aid Advisor"

Job Description

Salary
Depends on Qualifications

Location
Sedalia, MO

Job Type
Full-time

Job Number
01318

Department
Financial Aid

Opening Date
11/26/2024

Position Summary: The Financial Aid (FA) Advisor serves as the primary point of contact for SFCC students and their families regarding federal, state, and other available financial aid programs. The FA Advisor provides expert counseling on the financial aid process, including the identification of potential funding sources, application procedures for various aid programs, and interpretation of relevant federal, state, and institutional guidelines. Additionally, the Financial Aid Advisor explains these guidelines to students, families, and other stakeholders to ensure clear understanding.

Key responsibilities include verifying FAFSA information, calculating and awarding appropriate financial aid based on the student's financial aid profile, transferring aid, requesting financial aid funds from relevant sources, and performing regular reconciliations of assigned financial aid programs to ensure accuracy and compliance. The Financial Aid Advisor may also supervise students in the Federal Work Study program, ensuring adherence to program policies and processes.

Essential Functions and Duties:

1. Assists with daily walk ins, phone calls, and emails of students and offering one-on-one counseling on federal, state, and local financial aid programs, eligibility criteria and application process.
2. Perform verification of financial aid applications based on submitted documentation, making necessary corrections in applicable software and updating ISIRs with corrections and new Student Aid Index (SAI) values. Additionally, monitor student withdrawals throughout the semester and calculate Return to Title IV aid as required to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
3. Stay current with federal and state financial aid regulations, regularly providing updates and procedural recommendations for improving policies and processes.
4. Determine student eligibility for financial aid, compute total loan eligibility and manage loan certifications. Provide personalized student loan entrance and exit counseling for student loans.
5. Facilitate data exchanges with the Department of Educations Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Database (NSLDS), Central Processing System (CPS), and Federal Student Aid Portal and MDHEWDs FAMOUS portal, either through direct websites or the Student Information System. Additionally, perform monthly reconciliations of assigned financial aid programs with the SFCC Business Office, the U.S. Department of Education, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, and other relevant agencies to ensure accuracy and compliance.
6. Support the Federal Work Study program by assisting with the hiring process for work-study positions across departments, processing payroll in collaboration with Human Resources, and supervising work-study students within the Financial Aid office, including task delegation and performance oversight.
7. Provide expert guidance to students regarding Missouri state financial aid programs, ensuring accurate determination of eligibility based on established state guidelines. Calculate award amounts for eligible students, process all required documentation, and manage the disbursement of funds in compliance with state regulations. Continuously monitor and update program details to ensure adherence to any changes in eligibility criteria or funding policies.
8. Advise students and families on the use of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, including how these benefits integrate with other financial aid programs. Process enrollment certifications for students utilizing military education benefits and assist in reconciling VA GI Bill payments with student tuition and fees. This role requires training and certification as a VA School Certifying Official.
9. Develop and deliver presentations on financial aid literacy such as: loan default prevention, FAFSA events, Financial Aid nights at high schools and loan request workshops, orientations and preview days.
10. Manage and execute other assignments requiring prompt attention to meet the demands of the Financial Aid office.

Qualifications:

• Education– Bachelor degree in business, accounting, finance or related degree preferred or Associate degree and at least 5 years of experience in related field.
• Experience– Two years customer service, management, accounting and/or financial aid experience preferred.
• Training – Training with Federal Student Aid, Department of Veteran Affairs, and/or other agencies will be provided. The position requires the completion of a minimum of 5 hours of financial aid training and education annually, as well as 10 hours of Veterans Affairs (VA) training and education each year to maintain up-to-date knowledge and compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Needed Skills– Understand basic accounting principles in relation to financial aid.   Provide outstanding customer service to current and prospective students, their families and fellow employees. Communicate effectively by phone, written form, video conference, e-mail, or in person.  Ability to concentrate and work in an open office environment.
• Computer Skills- Proficient in utilizing financial aid student account software system with the ability to quickly learn and apply system functionalities.  Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word and Excel.  Experience in Banner SIS program preferred.
• Physical Requirements: Work involves sedentary to light work in an office setting.   Sitting, walking, standing and stooping required.  On occasion, will lift objects (up to 10 pounds) and perform other similar actions.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 am -5:00 pm; some nights and weekends as needed. Temporary remote work or alternative scheduling may be allowed.

Travel Requirements: Some travel will be required.

Please apply electronically with resume, cover letter, transcripts, and contact information for three references including name, telephone and email address. Employment will require a criminal background check at College expense. Preference is given to Missouri residents.

AA Statement: SFCC is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of State Fair Community College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities or employment as required by law in regard to admissions, awarding financial aid, access to courses and programs, and all student services as well as the recruitment, admission and retention of students.