Financial Aid Advisor I

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor I learns to serve as the primary reviewer of all new accounts set up in our department as well as the university. Learns to administer the OMEGA database of outside scholarship donors approximately $100 Million a year and learns to reconcile the OMEGA database to ensure compliance. Learns to complete equity transfers for when funds need to be moved to different accounts. Learns to advise and provide information on student financial aid and scholarships to prospective and current students and their families. The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs: grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition, our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, and all Health Science Center sites which totaled approximately $1 billion in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• No experience required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be literate in the English language and able to comprehend, give and follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with all customers.
• Attention to detail.
• Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Under close supervision, uses discretion and independent judgment to advise and counsel students on financial aid.
• Learns how to collaborate with on campus representatives regarding students financial aid concerns.
• Learns how to and assists with reviews of student files and makes adjustments as needed.
• Learns the student financial aid appeal process and shadows team members.
• Learns how to and awards, revises and/or approves the awarding of financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines.
• Learns, interprets, and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to financial aid.
• Learns how staff interact with and transition students from prospective to currently enrolled students.
• Ensures that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures.
• Learns to administer the OMEGA database for all outside scholarships including Galveston, HSC and Law
• Learns to serve as the primary reviewer for all new accounts set up in our department, as well as the university
• Learns to complete equity transfers for when funds need to be moved to different accounts
• Learns to prepare, process, and mail out Southwestern Exposition certificates each fall and spring to the appropriate donor.
• Learns to advise and provide information on student financial aid and scholarships to prospective and current students and their families through the scholar phone line.
• Participates in and assists in the planning and execution of events for departmental initiatives (e.g. financial aid awareness programs, Aggieland Saturday, outreach efforts).
• Learns how to and responds to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid.
• Attends local, state, and national workshops, and conferences.
• May assist with presentations.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Free exercise programs and release time
• All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level