Financial Aid Advisor II

Hampton University•Hampton, VA

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor II provides comprehensive financial aid counseling and administrative support to prospective and enrolled students and their families. The role advises students on federal, state, institutional, and other financial assistance; evaluates eligibility; interprets and applies regulations and institutional policies; and helps students understand their awards and responsibilities. It requires greater independent judgment, technical knowledge, and problem-solving than an entry-level financial aid advisor. The advisor may serve as a subject-matter resource, assist with complex cases, and participate in outreach, training, compliance, and process-improvement initiatives. The role reviews and processes applications and supporting documents, determines or assists with determining eligibility, resolves discrepancies, processes professional judgment or special circumstance requests, and reviews or adjusts awards. It supports grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, satisfactory academic progress, and other eligibility matters. The advisor also maintains accurate records, supports required reporting and compliance activities, and escalates complex or unusual matters as appropriate. The advisor provides individualized assistance through in-person, telephone, email, virtual, and other channels; conducts presentations and workshops; develops educational materials; and promotes financial literacy. Advanced duties may include training or mentoring staff, reviewing escalated cases, coordinating assigned programs or functional areas, and contributing to office procedures and service improvements. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience as permitted by institutional policy.
Minimum of 2–3 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student services, higher education administration, or a related field.
Working knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations.
Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and procedures and apply them to individual circumstances.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and customer-service skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity software.
Ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and external organizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with a higher education student information system and/or financial aid management system.
Experience with FAFSA processing, verification, professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, federal student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.
Experience with federal Title IV regulations and financial aid compliance requirements.
Experience providing financial aid counseling in a college or university environment.
Experience training or mentoring other financial aid staff.
Knowledge of financial aid technology and electronic processing systems.

Responsibilities

Counsel students and families on financial aid programs, eligibility, applications, awards, and responsibilities.
Explain financial aid concepts and regulations and provide guidance based on individual circumstances.
Help students resolve financial aid issues affecting enrollment, registration, or receipt of funds through in-person, telephone, email, virtual, and other channels.
Protect confidential student information in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies.
Review and process financial aid applications and supporting documentation; review records for completeness, accuracy, conflicting information, and outstanding requirements.
Determine or assist with determining eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid programs.
Process professional judgment and special circumstance requests, and assist with verification and discrepancy resolution.
Review and adjust awards based on changes in enrollment, eligibility, outside resources, cost of attendance, or other circumstances.
Assist with grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, satisfactory academic progress, and other financial aid eligibility matters.
Apply financial aid regulations and policies, including Title IV requirements, and assist with documentation, reporting, reconciliation, audits, and compliance reviews.
Identify potential compliance issues, refer complex or unusual matters to appropriate supervisory staff, and maintain complete documentation.
Conduct presentations, workshops, orientation sessions, and outreach programs; develop and distribute educational materials.
Participate in recruitment, enrollment, retention, student-success, and financial-literacy initiatives.
Serve as a resource to other staff on complex financial aid questions and procedures; assist with training and onboarding.
Review complex or escalated cases and recommend resolutions; assist with updating procedures, forms, training materials, and website content.
Participate in process-improvement initiatives and may coordinate assigned programs, projects, or functional areas.
Maintain accurate student records and case notes; participate in departmental meetings, committees, and institutional initiatives.
Assist during peak processing and enrollment periods, including extended hours or special events when necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned.