Financial Aid Advisor I - Processing

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Texas A&M University’s Scholarships and Financial Aid department seeks a Financial Aid Advisor I primarily responsible for processing financial aid. Under close supervision, the advisor learns to review student files, process documents, advise students and families, and help award, revise, or approve financial aid disbursements in accordance with program policies and guidelines. The role includes reviewing application data and ISIR records, resolving discrepancies, managing processing reports, and maintaining accurate and timely files. It also supports scholarship-check deposits and document imaging, and provides cross-trained backup for other processing functions.

The advisor learns and maintains knowledge of applicable federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures. The role also supports students and campus representatives, responds to financial aid questions, and participates in departmental events, workshops, conferences, and presentations as needed. Occasional travel may be required. The employee may be asked to work weekends, holidays, or outside regular business hours during peak periods.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience; no prior experience is required. Applicants must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans and maintain that standing during employment. The university notes that the role requires access to student loan data and that any default status must be rectified within three months of employment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• No experience required.
• Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and customer service.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic organization.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• English literacy and ability to comprehend, give, and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment when dealing with customers.
• Attention to detail.
• Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans; any default status must be rectified within three months of employment, and good standing must be maintained for continued employment.
• Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02, Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices.

Nice To Haves

• A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Responsibilities

• Learn to advise and counsel students and families about financial aid and scholarships under close supervision.
• Review student files and make adjustments as needed; learn the financial aid and scholarship process by shadowing team members.
• Learn to award, revise, or approve financial aid disbursements according to program policies and guidelines.
• Communicate with students and families by email, in person, by phone, and through other methods.
• Compare application data with additional information, resolve discrepancies, and adjust data in Banner or Compass as appropriate.
• Collaborate with campus representatives on student financial aid concerns.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Help ensure processing activities follow established policies and procedures, applying critical thinking.
• Review matching rules to identify student records in Compass for loading ISIR files.
• Review ISIR reports and data, confirm the current transaction, correct data as needed, and determine whether awards remain accurate after FAFSA changes.
• Manage financial aid processing reports and ensure files and reports are completed accurately and on time.
• Train office colleagues and answer questions related to assigned duties.
• Research and resolve issues related to assigned responsibilities.
• Assist in preparing paper scholarship checks for deposit into university accounts; review scanned check images for quality and balance deposit totals against imaging-system totals.
• Prepare documents for imaging, scan and validate batches, and release documents into the repository.
• Provide backup support to the Processing team, including cross-training on over-award corrections, aid and loan periods, eligibility and awards, and clearing C flags on aid applications.
• Participate in and assist with planning and executing departmental events, including financial aid awareness programs, Aggieland Saturday, and New Student Conferences.
• Respond to questions requiring research and consolidation of financial aid and scholarship data.
• Attend local, state, and national workshops and conferences; assist with presentations as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance; Texas A&M contributes 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 for health and wellness.
• Free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support for conferences, workshops, and other professional development.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while employed at Texas A&M.
• Access to Living Well, a wellness program built by employees for employees.

What This Job Offers

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