Financial Aid Advisor

Financial Aid Advisor

Job no: 497879
Work type: Staff
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Staff

Position Title: Financial Aid Advisor

Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department:
61300 - Financial Aid

Advertised Salary: $44,335- $49,336

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

FLSA: Exempt

Temporary/Continuing: Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time

Union Group: N/A

Term of Position: 12 Month

At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause

Summary of Position: The incumbent is responsible for providing expert financial aid counseling and guidance to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, borrowing and debt management, and related matters. The position requires maintaining a high level of expertise in institutional, state, and federal financial aid regulations and programs, with the ability to communicate complex financial aid concepts effectively to a diverse range of constituents, including students, parents and families, faculty and staff, and executive leadership.

The incumbent develops, implements, and manages policies, procedures, and processes that ensure the effective and compliant administration and distribution of financial aid resources. This role focuses on leveraging operational efficiencies and maximizing available funds to support institutional enrollment goals, student recruitment and retention, and overall student success.
The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future. The university will not assist with any F-1 EADs, OPT, H-1 B, etc.

Position Type: Staff

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Required Work Experience: Work experience that includes customer service and financial responsibility.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

Physical Demands:

• Office Environment
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Repetitive movement

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:
• Demonstrated work experience in financial aid or customer service to students in a postsecondary education setting.

• Experience with Ellucian Banner.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain comprehensive expertise across the spectrum of financial aid programs and funding types, including an awareness of the institutional policy, state, and federal regulations governing each.

• Provide professional guidance on all matters of financial aid, determining financial need and student eligibility for the issuance of all forms of aid, including (but not limited to) scholarships, grants, loans, work study, and more.

• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.

• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

• Provide expert counseling to students and parents regarding aid eligibility, application procedures, and other relevant information, utilizing effective communication skills and methods.

• Present financial aid information programs, both on-and off-campus, including evening and weekend presentations as needed (e.g., recruiting events, financial aid nights, and orientation).

• Work effectively with key strategic partners across campus, including; (but not limited to), University Advancement & Marketing, Student Employment;
Student Financial Services, Academic Colleges, Athletics, and more.

• Assist with management of the portfolio of donor scholarships as needed.

• Utilize financial aid expertise to propose, implement, oversee, and disseminate policies and processes as needed.

• Develop and implement processes and ongoing training initiatives for campus constituents, which include internal office staff as needed.

• Ability to oversee, reconcile, and manage, in conjunction with pertinent offices and external agencies, accounts in excess of $1m, ensuring that funds are distributed in accordance with all…