Financial Aid Advisor

JOB SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE

The Financial Services Advisor is responsible for providing excellent customer service and guidance to financial aid applicants and their families throughout the financial services process. The advisor is responsible to advise prospective and current students and their families about the financial aid process and provide information on available programs and procedures. He or she is responsible to follow up in support of the completion of financial aid applications. The Financial Services Advisor also determines eligibility within the parameters of institutional, state, and federal requirements.

The Financial Services Leader is responsible to maintain a thorough knowledge of available types of financial aid, scholarships, and general student eligibility criteria.

A successful candidate will understand financial aid processing, be able to effectively articulate financial options, and demonstrate a high degree of accuracy to ensure compliance. The Financial Services Advisor must have strong communication and customer service skills.

He or she must also have an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer service, following the law, and abiding by diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 Provide advising throughout the financial aid process to prospective and current students and their families

 Complete financial aid processing, including Title IV

 Keep adequate and timely records

 Ensure the processing of financial aid records are in accordance with federal and state regulations and prepare departmental reports

 Follow up on all prospective and current students in a timely manner

 Keep up to date with compliance requirements, including and not limited to federal and state regulations, deadlines, and school policies as they apply to federal, state, and institutional student aid and cash management

 Attend and actively participate in school functions and professional financial aid training sessions

 Ensure goal of timely turnaround for all financial aid applications

 Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations

 Any other duties or special projects as assigned

BEHAVIORS AND COMPETENCIES

 Maintains current knowledge of changes and updates to financial aid rules and regulations, including Title IV

 Has strong interpersonal skills

 Ability to interpret and effectively communicate complex financial aid regulations and apply them appropriately in different situations

 Proficiently uses Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

 Ability to perform simple accounting procedures

 Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

 Possesses record-keeping and maintenance skills

 Ability to process computer data and can format and generate reports

 Knowledge of customer service standards and procedures

 Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments

 Ability to complete moderately complex administrative paperwork

 Is a self-starter and can work independently

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Two+ years of experience in Financial Aid roles or sufficient transferable experience to demonstrate practical equivalence
• Associate's degree required
• Bachelor's degree preferred

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Department: Financial Services

Primary Supervisor: Financial Services Leader

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Location: 1008 Meeting St, West Columbia, SC 29169 (not eligible for remote work)

Employment Status: Full time

Hours of Employment: 40 hours/week M,W,F, 8:30am-5pm T, TH, 10:30am-7pm

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands-While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, stand, and move about while communicating orally and operating technology for extended periods of time in the classroom, at promotional events, or while assisting students. While performing administrativ