Advisor, Financial Aid

Columbus State Community College•Columbus, OH

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor in Student Central provides student support services related to financial aid and refers students in the areas of academic advising, admissions, and registration for all students. This position exercises discretion and independent professional judgment with respect to assisting students and parents with identifying resources needed to address their individual circumstances and potential barriers to enrolling at the College. The Advisor works closely with Financial Aid and other Student Central staff members to coordinate additional services according to the needs of students. Student Advising & Support Interprets and explains financial aid processes inclusive of application, dependency appeals, special circumstance appeals, homelessness determinations, unusual enrollment history (UEH), grants, federal loans, private loans, scholarships, and academic standards. Reviews, verifies, and makes decisions on various appeals including dependency, special circumstance, SAP, and UEH. Guides students through processes inclusive of processing paperwork and verifying qualifiers. Provides information regarding program of study, next steps of enrollment, documents needed, new student orientation, placement testing, academic advising, course selection and registration. Facilitates in-person and virtual presentations to students, parents, and potential students both on and off campus. Assists students in the Student Central computer lab. Assists unique student populations such as veterans, foster youth, human trafficking victims, homeless students, and domestic violence survivors. Advises students on academic pathway tracks and course selection as related to financial aid eligibility. Communicates with students and parents in person, via phone, e-mail or other delivery formats as needed. Customer Service Provides direct customer-focused service in-person, via phone, and e-mail. Assists partners from other College departments, such as Financial Aid processing, with paperwork and tasks to address student needs. Responds to email inquiries from multiple accounts inclusive of Financial Aid, Consortium, and individual work email. Initiates emails to students relating to document requests and appeal decisions. Conducts outreach to students to resolve barriers to enrollment such as no FAFSA on file, wrong FAFSA on file, aid cancellation due to self-corrections on FAFSA, and other issues as needed. Administrative Completes and maintains required documentation. Keeps accurate records. Maintains confidentiality of student files and other sensitive subject matter. Collects and maintains student contact for reporting purposes. Ensures all documents and data are entered appropriately in electronic processing systems and student records Culture of Respect Fosters and maintains a safe environment of respect and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community. Additional Duties & Responsibilities: Attends all required department meetings and training. Manages multiple assignments of varying complexity while meeting federal as well as internal regulations and procedures, with the ability to adapt to changing needs of the College and business partners. Hours may include working outside of a normal workweek schedule as well as working in multiple locations as needed to meet workload demands, including occasional Saturday morning shifts and additional evenings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Student Personnel, Counseling, Guidance, or closely related field.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in student advising.
An appropriate combination of education, training, coursework and experience may qualify a candidate.

Responsibilities

Interprets and explains financial aid processes inclusive of application, dependency appeals, special circumstance appeals, homelessness determinations, unusual enrollment history (UEH), grants, federal loans, private loans, scholarships, and academic standards.
Reviews, verifies, and makes decisions on various appeals including dependency, special circumstance, SAP, and UEH.
Guides students through processes inclusive of processing paperwork and verifying qualifiers.
Provides information regarding program of study, next steps of enrollment, documents needed, new student orientation, placement testing, academic advising, course selection and registration.
Facilitates in-person and virtual presentations to students, parents, and potential students both on and off campus.
Assists students in the Student Central computer lab.
Assists unique student populations such as veterans, foster youth, human trafficking victims, homeless students, and domestic violence survivors.
Advises students on academic pathway tracks and course selection as related to financial aid eligibility.
Communicates with students and parents in person, via phone, e-mail or other delivery formats as needed.
Provides direct customer-focused service in-person, via phone, and e-mail.
Assists partners from other College departments, such as Financial Aid processing, with paperwork and tasks to address student needs.
Responds to email inquiries from multiple accounts inclusive of Financial Aid, Consortium, and individual work email.
Initiates emails to students relating to document requests and appeal decisions.
Conducts outreach to students to resolve barriers to enrollment such as no FAFSA on file, wrong FAFSA on file, aid cancellation due to self-corrections on FAFSA, and other issues as needed.
Completes and maintains required documentation.
Keeps accurate records.
Maintains confidentiality of student files and other sensitive subject matter.
Collects and maintains student contact for reporting purposes.
Ensures all documents and data are entered appropriately in electronic processing systems and student records
Fosters and maintains a safe environment of respect and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.
Attends all required department meetings and training.
Manages multiple assignments of varying complexity while meeting federal as well as internal regulations and procedures, with the ability to adapt to changing needs of the College and business partners.