Job Description
Financial Aid Advisor
Job ID: 303203
Location: Georgia College & State Univ
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
About Us
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.
As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources. Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.
The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.
Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.
Job Summary
The Financial Aid Advisor plays a critical role in guiding students and their families through federal, state, and institutional financial aid options while maintaining rigorous compliance with applicable regulations. Advisors maintain a dedicated student advising caseload (~20% of student applicants), deliver financial aid presentations, and support broader Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Office initiatives.
In addition to core advising duties, each selected Advisor will oversee one of three specialized operational areas: Federal Work-Study, Scholarship & NCAA Compliance, or Verification. Applicants are encouraged to highlight relevant experience or interest in specific tracks within their application materials.
Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities (Common to All Positions) -
- Direct Student Advising: Provide direct one-on-one advising to approximately 20% of assigned students and families regarding federal, state (e.g., HOPE), and institutional aid options via in-person meetings, phone, and email.
- Advising Guidance: Deliver timely, personalized assistance, assisting students in navigating financial aid applications, maintenance of eligibility, and satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements.
- Outreach & Presentations: Represent the Financial Aid Office at on-campus and off-campus recruitment events, campus visitation programs, orientation, and parent/student workshops.
- Operational Support: Collaborate with team members during peak processing periods, adapt to changing departmental priorities, and participate in special projects as assigned.
Specialized Tracks (Assigned Upon Hire) -
Track A: Federal Work-Study (FWS) Coordinator -
- FWS Program Management: Oversee campus-wide student employment, manage Federal Work-Study fund allocations across campus departments, and monitor spending against Department of Education allocations.
- Departmental Collaboration: Collaborate with departments and Human Resources on student hiring processes; host supervisor training workshops and annual student job fairs.
- Reporting & Reconciliation: Utilize payroll data to prepare bi-weekly reconciliation reports, balance reports for the Business Office, and the annual FISAP report.
Track B: Scholarship & NCAA Compliance Coordinator -
- Scholarship Management: Coordinate all institutional and private scholarship programs; assist in planning and executing the President's Scholarship Competition.
- Data Entry & Processing: Process and enter scholarship awards into the Banner database, ensuring data accuracy and fund reconciliation with internal departments.
- NCAA Compliance: Interpret and apply NCAA regulations for athletic financial aid eligibility; conduct evaluations to ensure strict compliance.
Track C: Verification Coordinator -
- Auditing & Verification: Coordinate the federally mandated Title IV verification process, including selecting student files, auditing submitted documentation, and processing FAFSA corrections.
- Professional Judgment: Review Professional Judgment appeal applications, calculate income/dependency changes, and submit recommendations to leadership.
- Systems & Technical Reporting: Execute technical procedures within Banner (batch document posting, population selection) and generate specialized reports using SQL Plus.
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of education and related experience
Required Experience
1 year of professional experience in financial aid, higher education administration, or a related field
Proposed Salary
This position is a pay grade 6. The compensation is $19.95/hr ($41,500/year).
For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.
Other Information
- This position has financial responsibilities.
- This position will be required to drive.
- This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
Background Check
- Criminal Background Check
- Education Verification
- Credit Check
- Motor Vehicle Report
