Financial Aid Advisor

Job Title: Financial Aid Advisor

Summary: Develop, negotiate, and finalize student FINANCIAL AID plans in accordance with state, federal, accreditation, and company policies and regulations for awarding and packaging FINANCIAL AID. Act in a manner consistent with the highest ethical standards. Work closely with new, continuing, and re-entry students (and their families) to ensure that proposed FINANCIAL AID (whether new or for a re-entry student) continue to best meet the student’s (and/or families’) needs and best interests. Counsel students about FINANCIAL AID available based upon their acceptance at School and other matters relevant to student FINANCIAL AID planning and packaging. In carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position, the Financial Aid Advisor must ensure consideration and implementation of the Schools philosophy, which provides for providing quality services to all students, visitors, and clients; focusing on the development, growth, and involvement of staff members; offering recognition of employees; adhering to sound economic principles; and creating an environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking, and expansion.

Key Job Elements:

• Meet with prospective and current (or returning) students (and their families) to determine FINANCIAL AID eligibility and provide guidance to them about FINANCIAL AID-related applications and documents (including, for example, student loan and grant applications).
• Provide clarifying information or examples to students (and/or their families) when they complete their FAFSAs.
• Review ISIRs in order to identify verification or C code requirements. Identify and take action to assist with the process of following-up, collecting, and then reconciling documentation needed to resolve verification and C code obstacle
• Perform Entrance and Exit counseling by meeting with students, which should be completed within 30 days after a student’s last day of attendance.
• Collect appropriate documentation to process FINANCIAL AID funding in a timely and compliant manner.
• Create and present an appropriate budget to a student and then package the student (i.e., schedule their FINANCIAL AID award(s)). Monitor subsequent aid disbursements to ensure funds are credited to students’ accounts in a timely manner
• Maintain consistently clean and accurate FINANCIAL AID files which demonstrate institutional compliance with federal, state, and accreditation agency requirements as well as internal policies and procedures.
• Complete weekly FINANCIAL AID reports (e.g., data regarding student packaging, cash flow, balance to scheduled, FA holds, etc.) and provide daily updates to the Director (or Assistant Director) of Financial Aid
• Provide excellent customer service by responding clearly, accurately, and timely to student questions or concerns.
• Comply with departmental procedures and policies, as well as regulations or rules imposed by federal entities, state agencies, and/or accrediting bodies.
• Other duties and activities as may be assigned.

Job Requirements; Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Accountability:

Knowledge:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Previous experience working with and technical knowledge of student FINANCIAL AID programs preferred.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state regulations which may impact Title IV funding.
• At least two years’ experience working in a post-secondary institution.
• Basic knowledge of CampusVue database (preferred)

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with both faculty and student populations
• Superior organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong basic computer software (i.e., MS Office) skills as well as exposure to more concentrated FINANCIAL AID software programs.
• Attention to detail