Financial Aid Advisor

The Financial Aid Advisor provides student-facing funding support by guiding prospective and enrolled students through the financial aid process from initial inquiry through funding completion. This role manages intake services such as FAFSA assistance verification/document collection award counseling and proactive student communication to ensure all requirements and deadlines are met and funding is secured in time to support enrollment and start addition to federal financial aid this position helps students understand and pursue outside funding options such as private education loans workforce or employer sponsorships veterans benefits scholarships and payment plan resources when applicable.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and enrolled students regarding financial aid scholarships Veterans benefits and third-party funding providing responsive support via phone email and in-person communication as needed.
• Ensure student and applicant phone calls emails and inquiries are handled timely accurately and professionally including proactive follow-up to support completion of required funding steps.
• Guide students through the financial aid intake process from initial inquiry through funding readiness including timeline education required documentation and next steps to support enrollment and start-date completion.
• Provide clear accurate information regarding available funding sources including Federal Student Aid (Title IV) private education loans scholarships Veterans benefits employer-sponsored tuition assistance workforce/tribal funding and other third-party sponsorships.
• Assist students with FAFSA-related questions and general troubleshooting; follow up with students to resolve missing or incomplete requirements in a timely manner.
• Review and monitor student financial aid files for completeness and accuracy including verification requirements and documentation standards; communicate with students regarding corrections missing items or clarifying information needed.
• Provide student-centered counseling to ensure students understand funding options outstanding requirements deadlines and payment responsibilities prior to enrollment.
• Support student understanding of estimated financial assistance including award review key deadlines and student responsibilities required to secure funding.
• Assist with federal loan requirements and student completion steps including Entrance Counseling Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Exit Counseling as applicable.
• Utilize federal and institutional systems to support eligibility review file completion and processing workflows including CPS COD NSLDS SAIG mailbox and EdExpress in accordance with established procedures and compliance requirements.
• Track file progress and communicate status updates as needed; escalate discrepancies unresolved issues or compliance concerns to appropriate financial aid leadership for review and resolution.
• Support timely and accurate document flow and communication between students and third-party payers to ensure required forms and approvals are completed by established deadlines.
• Maintain clear consistent communication with Admissions teams at each campus to ensure students receive aligned guidance and are supported through enrollment and funding timelines.
• Partner with Admissions Student Accounts Student Services and campus teams to ensure consistent service delivery and timely issue resolution across multiple locations.
• Document all student interactions status updates and required actions thoroughly and consistently to support continuity of service audit readiness and efficient issue resolution.
• Confirm students are funding-ready prior to start dates by monitoring progress addressing barriers and escalating unresolved issues as needed to avoid enrollment delays or withdrawals due to incomplete funding.
• Provide support for student-facing financial aid outreach and events including informational sessions open houses and other student engagement activities as assigned.
• Maintain knowledge of federal state and institutional regulations policies and procedures to ensure compliant communication and consistent guidance to students and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Respond to general scholarship inquiries and provide guidance on eligibility requirements deadlines and application steps.
• Support students in completing scholarship application requirements and submitting documentation accurately and on time.
• Provide status updates and next-step guidance to students based on established internal processes and communications.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES (Knowledge Skills & Abilities)

• Willingness and ability to obtain any required federal and state access and licenses as needed.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment while being detail oriented and accurate.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills to ensure customer satisfaction repeat business and goodwill.
• Proficient coaching and mentoring skills.
• Excellent grammar written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexible and team-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated with an outgoing and friendly demeanor. Proactively seeks out additional tasks when needed.
• Ability to adapt well to change and maintain a positive attitude.
• Policy & Procedure writing experience preferred.
• Strong recall for details and adherence to standard that details are important.
• Ability to research data from multiple departmental records summarize and create reports.
• Ability to multi-task and reprioritize as needed.
• Ability to act as a Student advocate for needed service.
• Strong computer skills utilizing software such as Microsoft Office Suite e.g. MS Word Excel PowerPoint; and e-mail.
• Ability to maintain and foster sensitivity and respect for a culturally diverse work environment.
• Ability to display supportive behavior and communicate positively regarding department goals and objectives.
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of personalities to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework or degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in financial aid administration

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT (if applicable)

• Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.
• Extensive use of office equipment to include computer calculator copier fax and other business related machines and software.

Pay Range: $25-34/hour

An Equal Opportunity Employer
All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race sex religion national origin age disability or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.