Academic and Financial Wellness Advisor

Stony Brook University•Stony Brook, NY

40d•Onsite

About The Position

The Academic and Financial Wellness Advisor will serve as a key liaison between the Financial Aid Office and Academic Advising to help students develop financial solutions that support their academic success and long-term retention. In this dual-support role, the successful candidate will provide personalized guidance to students navigating both the financial aid process and academic challenges that may be influenced by financial circumstances. The ideal candidate is student-centered, collaborative, and committed to delivering proactive, holistic support that integrates financial wellness with academic progress. The incumbent will also represent the university at recruitment and outreach events and be responsible for delivering high-quality customer service to students and their families. Strong communication, time-management, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (foreign equivalent or higher).
Two (2) years of full time professional experience working at a higher education institution (Student work experience may be considered).
One (1) year of full-time experience in a financial aid office with at least five (5) NASFAA credentials, or two (2) years of experience working as an academic advisor.
Experience interacting with students and their families and strong customer service skills.
Experience presenting, training, or conducting workshops.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (or foreign equivalent or higher).
Full-time experience in financial aid, including working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
Experience advising students and/or families on financial aid processes and policies.
Demonstrated experience in academic advising or providing guidance on academic planning.
Financial aid experience within a SUNY or New York State university setting.
Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems used in large organizations.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive financial guidance to students and families, including FAFSA assistance, loan counseling, budgeting strategies, and financial wellness education.
Serve as a primary contact to explain financial aid processes, award letters, and billing implications.
Communicate with students via phone, email, and in person regarding missing documents, incomplete applications, and the impact on their aid eligibility.
Evaluate financial aid applications and determine eligibility in accordance with institutional, state, and federal policies.
Assist in the review of student and family income for compliance with federal and state regulations.
Support administration of specialized aid programs, such as verification, professional judgment appeals, and communication campaigns.
Partner with academic advising staff to identify students at financial and academic risk.
Develop support plans that promote academic progress and retention.
Serve as financial aid referral liaison for academic advising and collaborate with other university offices on retention initiatives.
Serve on the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals committee.
Conduct in-person and virtual workshops on financial aid literacy, FAFSA filing, financial wellness, and loan education.
Provide periodic financial aid training for academic advisors.
Participate in new student orientations and recruitment activities to support enrollment goals.
Work with the Financial Aid Customer Service Team to proactively engage students with incomplete aid applications or pending requirements.
Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.