"Senior Financial Aid Advisor"

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Master's degree (foreign equivalent or higher). In lieu of a master's degree, a bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) plus five years of full-time experience in a financial aid office and an active FAAC designation, or a bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) with five (5) years of full-time financial aid experience and active enrollment in a master's program with ongoing progress toward completion. Three (3) years of full time experience in a Financial Aid Office or one year of full-time experience in a Financial Aid Office with 8+ NASFAA Credentials. Proficiency in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software for large organizations. Strong customer service skills. Demonstrated experience presenting, training, or conducting workshops. Experience engaging and communicating with students and their families.

Preferred Qualifications:
Three (3) or more years of experience in a Financial Aid Office, including demonstrated supervisory experience. Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience working with Federal Student Aid and Scholarship programs. NASFAA Credentials. Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) designation. Experience with Oracle Campus Solutions (PeopleSoft) as a Financial Aid Management System within a higher education institution. Supervisory experience. Five full time years of progressive experience working with Federal Student Aid and Scholarship programs. 8+ NASFAA Credentials Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) designation. Experience with PeopleSoft as a Financial Aid Management System within a higher education institution.

Brief Description of Duties:
We are seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Senior Financial Aid Advisor to join our team. The Senior Advisor will play a crucial role in supporting our mission by advising students on financial aid options, implementing and maintaining policies and procedures, and engaging in outreach activities to ensure students are aware of available resources.

Advising & Support for Special Populations:

• Provide specialized financial aid advising to students participating in EOP, Study Abroad programs, and Foster Youth initiatives, as well as those utilizing Veterans Benefits or enrolled through cross-registration, consortium agreements, or preparatory coursework.
• Assist students and families in understanding complex eligibility criteria, program-specific requirements, and how enrollment in unique programs impacts aid.
• Offer clear guidance on completing required documentation, managing enrollment changes, and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations tied to these populations.
• Educate students on budgeting, financial literacy, and responsible borrowing, with tailored support for those in special programs who may encounter unique financial challenges.
• Serve as a primary resource for campus partners working with these populations, helping ensure coordinated support and seamless student experiences.
• Support the Associate Director in developing and delivering comprehensive training for staff on policies and procedures affecting special populations.
• Oversee the review and processing of special and unusual circumstances that may impact a student's cost of attendance or financial ability to continue enrollment.

Student Support:

• Financial Aid Re-Evaluations, Professional Judgment, and Appeals
• Serve as a primary advisor for students seeking financial aid re-evaluations, guiding them through documentation requirements, eligibility considerations, and timelines.
• Exercise professional judgment in accordance with federal regulations to address changes in financial circumstances, dependency overrides, cost of attendance adjustments, and other individualized needs.
• Manage the full lifecycle of financial aid appeals, including intake, review, decision-making, and communication with students and families.
• Provide clear, accurate explanations of decisions to ensure students understand outcomes and next steps, while maintaining a consistent and equitable review process.
• Collaborate with campus partners when appeals involve academic progress, emergency funding, or complex student circumstances requiring coordinated support.
• Identify trends in appeals and professional judgment requests to help inform policy review, staff training, and process improvements.

Policy and Procedure Management:

• Develop, implement, and update financial aid policies and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Continuously monitoring and staying informed about changes and updates to federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Monitor changes in financial aid regulations and industry best practices to ensure compliance and optimize service delivery.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in financial aid administration.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to financial aid usage, enrollment patterns, and outcomes for special cohorts.
• Produce reports and dashboards to track key indicators, identify trends, and support program evaluation and institutional planning.

Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with financial aid colleagues and cross-campus partners to ensure consistent, equitable service for special cohorts.
• Participate in team meetings, staff trainings, and professional development opportunities to maintain expertise in policies affecting these populations.

Other:

• Conduct targeted financial aid workshops and orientations for special cohorts, both virtually and in person.
• Perform strategic outreach to ensure timely submission of required documentation for students in these programs.
• Support financial aid appeal processes that involve specialized circumstances commonly experienced by these student groups.
• Serve as a liaison to departments, schools, and colleges that directly support special cohorts and perform other related duties as assigned.

Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $4000 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
***Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.***
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