Financial Aid Advior I

College: South Louisiana Community College

Department: Academic & Student Affairs

Sub department: Financial Aid

Type of Appointment: Unclassified - Administrative/Staff

Salary: $38,200.00 - $44,100.00

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Work Habits: 30%
• Utilize and update a database and process applications for financial aid received from students.
• Maintain a functional knowledge of federal, state, institutional, and other aid programs in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and other governing criteria.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and other detailed information submitted by students and families.
• Assist in the review of student enrollment and academic performance details and how aid eligibility is affected.

Behavioral Standards: 20%
• Provide outstanding customer service to students and other internal and external customers.
• Meet with and counsel students, parents, and others to explain the details of the financial aid application and awarding process.
• Demonstrate an elevated level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Assist in the review of student exceptional circumstance appeals and the determination of eligible adjustments.

Institutional Support: 20%
• Assist students with all aspects of the financial aid process, including understanding applications and awards.
• Develop and gather appropriate materials; organize and help present student financial aid outreach programs for students and their parents.
• Assist in the review of student aid recipients’ academic performance and determine whether academic progress is being achieved.
• Perform other duties that will assist in promoting the college within the community.

Team Relations: 30%
• Work collaboratively with the financial aid team to ensure the accurate and timely processing of aid applications and awards.
• Provide support to colleagues and contribute to team goals during peak periods and outreach events.
• Perform other duties as assigned to assist the department in achieving its mission.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• An associate degree or higher will substitute for the required one year of experience.
• One year of experience in higher education financial aid office or experience working in an equivalent higher education student service position.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with continuous attention to detail in composing, typing and proofreading material. Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines while effectively managing time. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Capacity to retain the knowledge base of the U.S. Department of Education (Title IV) rules and regulatory requirements to administer federal aid programs.
• Ability to research regulatory information and resolve complex financial questions.
• Skill in operating a computer and various supporting software packages.
• Skill in computing multi-layered mathematical formulas.
• Ability to defuse difficult, angry, or emotional situations with students and/or parents.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a significant caseload.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to interpret and explain regulatory information related to the financial aid process.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form.
• Ability and endurance necessary to work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Attendance at all mandatory meetings and college functions as assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance is required in order to provide consistency and continuity of educational services.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.
• Must be able to demonstrate the proven abilities of intellectual reasoning, power of persuasion, and consistent dedication to the position.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written,