Financial Aid Advisor, Full Time, Search Extended

Financial Aid Advisor

The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible to the Director of Financial Aid for the day to day contact with financial aid applicants and the processing of specific financial aid functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and update knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations, policies and procedures. Carry out duties in a manner that complies with those regulations, policies and procedures.
• Understanding of the Federal Methodology for determining eligibility of the Title IV Financial Aid programs, as well as the factors governing the application of professional judgment to appropriate cases.
• Advise financial aid applicants and their families in the financial aid application process, materials, deadlines, the specifics of eligibility, student rights and obligations, and the awarding of funds.
• Track financial aid applications, monitor student files for required application documents, correspond with applicants for missing documents as needed, complete file verification, and process application corrections and adjustments as needed.
• Review financial aid application materials to determine eligibility for financial aid, complete file verification, construct student expense budgets, and certify student loans.
• Develop and maintain proficiency with all computer systems and modules, including but not limited to: Datatel: Colleague Student System, Student Aid Information Gateway (SAIG), Electronic Data Exchange (EDE): Application Processing, Pell Payments, Direct Loans, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Illinois GAPP Access System, Refund Calculation Software (R2T4) and create and maintain appropriate audit trails.
• Prepare written correspondence sent to applicants and other external entities.
• Participate in scheduled college financial aid activities, including but not limited to: College Night, Financial Aid Night, FAFSA Completion Workshops.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in monitoring, reconciling, and submitting requests for payment from Federal and State aid programs.
• Limited travel to participate in professional training activities, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in business or related field and/or appropriate work experience in the Financial Aid field is required.
• Interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; ability to represent the college to the public is required.
• General computer skills (e.g., working in a Windows environment and with Microsoft Office Suite) is required.
• Time management skills is required.
• Bachelor's Degree is preferred.
• Student services experience in a community college or other customer service experience is preferred.
• Proficiency with integrated computer systems (e.g., Datatel/Colleague, SCT/Banner, etc.) is preferred.
• Willingness to attend training and take additional courses to update skills as needed is preferred.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical demands for this position include some light lifting and the ability to stand, sit, walk, reach, stoop, bend, push, pull, kneel, climb, use hands and fingers, and talk / hear for extended periods of time.

The work environment for this position includes a typical office environment with no extremes in temperature, noise, and limited physical risk.

The position is "at will", which means that either party may terminate the employment relationship with or without cause, for any reason or no reason at all, immediately upon notification given to the other party.