Financial Aid Adviser Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyzes and evaluates financial viability of students and families, and provides advice and counsel regarding available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
• Reviews and assesses eligibility of applications for financial aid; exercises professional judgment to determine whether adjustments should be made.
• Reviews for accuracy and provides signature approval/disapproval of loan applications, promissory notes, and other financial documents.
• Conducts orientations, and entrance and exit interviews, in accordance with university, state, federal, and other agency guidelines.
• Responds to inquiries and researches and resolves problems related to transactions handled by the unit; serves as liaison with other constituencies in the resolution of day-to-day administrative and operational issues.
• Provide information, in person, on the telephone to students, prospective students, and families regarding student financial aid.
• Serves as liaison with state, federal, tribal, and other agencies; keeps abreast of student assistance opportunities and program regulations.
• Oversees the collection, management, and reporting of data in accordance with the objectives of the position; participates in the development and implementation of data management systems and procedures, as appropriate.
• Conducts workshops and/or presentations to students, parents, and/or other interested parties on financial aid policy and procedural issues.
• Provides academic advisement and crisis intervention referrals; arranges for tutorial support, as necessary.
• Maintain all students Financial Aid files accurately.
• Meets with and counsels students, parents, and others to explain and discuss the details of the financial aid application and awarding processes, the laws and regulations governing the eligibility for and availability of federal, state, institutional and other relevant aid programs.

• Utilizes and updates a database and processes applications for financial aid received from students.
• Determines eligibility for federal, state, and other aid programs in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and other governing criteria;
• Develops and formulates appropriate aid packages for students
• Formulates, produces and distributes financial aid award notifications.
• Confirms that the accounting office has appropriately disbursed financial aid and credited it to the students’ accounts.
• Accomplishes required verification of the accuracy of financial data and other detailed information submitted by students and families.
• Reviews each student aid recipient’s academic performance and determines whether academic progress is being achieved.
• Complete the SSCR and file when due.
• Stay up to date on all regulations governing financial aid.
• Assist auditors will the annual financial aid audit.
• Manage student default rate and keep it below the legal requirement.
• Other Financial aid duties as assigned.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 1-5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to verify and assess student eligibility for financial aid.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Interviewing skills.
• Ability to make evaluative judgments.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Organizing and coordinating skills.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies concerning the provision of financial aid to students.
• Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of data management systems and processes.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
• Knowledge of the policies and eligibility requirements of a range of federal, state, and agency scholarship programs for tertiary students.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and over the telephone.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Position requires: a) Evaluating, approving and awarding financial aid to students in accordance with all laws and regulations; b) conducting workshops and presentations to interested parties on financial aid policy and procedures; c) coordinating and providing an operational resource to lower level advisers; and d) managing the collection and reporting of financial aid data.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.