Financial Aid Advisor II

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

Are you passionate about helping students access life-changing educational opportunities? The Office of Student Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor II to join our Scholarships team. This position plays a pivotal role in guiding students and families through the financial aid process, ensuring equitable access to resources, and stewarding scholarship programs that support student success. This is not just a processing role—it’s a chance to combine advising expertise, regulatory knowledge, and program administration to make a direct impact on the lives of students. The Office of Student Financial Aid at Iowa State University is committed to empowering over 85% of undergraduate students through the administration of more than $400 million in financial assistance annually. As a unit within the Division of Academic Affairs, our team helps students and their families understand, apply for, and manage financial aid throughout their academic journey. We are driven by values of student success, innovation, collaboration, and respect. Our supportive work environment emphasizes personal and professional growth, with opportunities for training, development, and meaningful contributions to the university’s mission. Join us in making college more accessible and affordable for Iowa State students! Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Nice To Haves

Experience administering scholarships, including award decisions and applicant management.
Experience utilizing a scholarship management system (such as Blackbaud Award Management or NextGen Scholarship Manager)
Experience providing student services in a higher education setting.
Experience managing and maintaining databases.
Experience with analytics and data reporting.
Knowledge of and experience with financial aid processes.

Responsibilities

Determine financial aid eligibility, make comprehensive adjustments to aid packages, and exercise professional judgment on complex cases and merit award appeals.
Administer strategic recruitment scholarships, including first-year merit, National Merit, transfer merit, and Phi Theta Kappa programs.
Review emergency aid applications, award emergency or completion assistance, and collaborate with college scholarship coordinators to maintain a cohesive campus-wide emergency aid strategy.
Process Veterinary Medicine summer grant aid in partnership with Enrollment Research and Analytics and the OSFA data team.
Oversee large, high-touch external scholarship programs
Provide support for university long-term loan programs, including Health Professions and Loans for Disadvantaged Students.
Update and utilize multiple financial aid systems, review daily reports, correct discrepancies, and reconcile aid and scholarship data.
Analyze data and compile reports to support scholarship processes, audits, and decision-making.
Provide guidance to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application steps, appeals, policies, and financial wellness in a variety of formats.
Represent the scholarship unit and respond to scholarship presentation requests from campus stakeholders.

Benefits

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.