College Affordability Advisor

uAspire•Oakland, CA

About The Position

uAspire College Affordability Advisors work directly with youth to help them navigate finding and financing an affordable path to college. Advisors receive training on college affordability to support students successfully. Our College Affordability Advisors are assigned to multiple schools to work with high school seniors in person or virtually serve a cohort of postsecondary students using our innovative text messaging platform. Whether the advisor is serving high school or postsecondary students they support key college affordability-related tasks such as financial aid form completion, scholarship research, and analysis of financial aid award letters. This position requires a highly motivated individual with a passion for supporting youth and a commitment to continuous learning about navigating the college access and success process. Someone comfortable working independently and who enjoys leveraging data and technology to support student success will be a strong fit for this role. The successful applicant will be excited about making a real impact on the lives of young people, strive to put learning into action and thrive on new challenges. THIS IS A FULL-TIME, TEMPORARY ENTRY LEVEL ROLE

Requirements

Able to quickly process dense amounts of information and turn it into clear action steps for students. Takes the initiative to translate student experience to best influence program design.
Positive engagement with students, teammates, and partners both internal and external to uAspire.
Comfortable learning and/or using platforms such as Salesforce, in addition to daily platforms such as google sheets, in order to efficiently and accurately complete work.
Excitement to become an expert on college affordability and contribute to a learning environment in both formal and informal ways with proactive enthusiasm.
Knowledge of barriers faced by low-income, first generation college bound students, particularly students of color. Successful track record of diverse high school and/or college populations from underrepresented communities.
Experience demonstrating building or supporting systems, policies, and practices that prioritize a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
Some college-going experience is required; degree attainment is optional.
Possess strong oral and written communication skills.
Organizational skills and ability to plan in a fast-paced environment.
Energetic, enthusiastic, and interested in learning within a growing, entrepreneurial organization.
Ability to work flexible hours that will include some evenings and occasional weekends due to school-based events.
Proficiency with fundamental professional software: Google Mail/Docs, and Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint – required.
Ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of local community desired (Greater Bay area high schools and CA higher education system).
Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide in-person, text-message and Zoom-based advising based on uAspire’s college affordability curriculum to high school students attending Bay Area high schools and/or postsecondary students who graduated from Bay Area high schools.
Assist students in on-time completion of state, federal, and institutional financial aid forms.
Maximize texting platform capabilities to foster strong advising relationships and rapport with students.
Work collaboratively with staff from partner schools and community-based organizations to share pertinent information and strategize about student progress.
Advocate for and coach students to engage with relevant individuals, offices, and resources to support their individual needs.
Develop and implement creative approaches to drive student engagement with program text messages.
Identify and maximize opportunities to engage students via other tech and communication means.
Organize financial aid events with students and families in collaboration with school and community partners. Advisors should expect to participate in several evening events per month (both in-person and virtual).
Maintain detailed records in uAspire’s Salesforce database and texting platform to track student data and progress to program goals.
Regularly review advisor performance data to monitor own progress to goals. Pull and utilize pertinent Salesforce student data reports to inform outreach to students.
Complete survey collection & other administrative responsibilities.
Contribute to regionally specific research and resource gathering to improve training and knowledge for staff and promote efficiencies in our direct service to students.
Facilitate college affordability presentations and student events in collaboration with regional and program partners. Advisors should expect to participate in several evening events per month (both in-person and virtual).
Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships.
Support Program leadership by assisting with special projects as assigned.