Financial Aid Advisor & State Program Manager

Spelman College Portal•Atlanta, GA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor & State Program Manager role combines comprehensive student financial aid advising with the administration and oversight of assigned institutional and state programs. This position delivers accurate, high-quality counseling to students and families while ensuring effective program coordination, fiscal reconciliation, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Success in this role requires a strong foundation in financial aid advising, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrated experience managing complex aid programs in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and reporting requirements. The role involves serving as the primary point of contact for a designated student caseload, offering in-depth counsel on the application process (FAFSA), verification, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), cost of attendance, budgeting, and general financial aid eligibility. It also includes packaging and reviewing student financial need, guiding students through complex financial aid issues, and educating them on financial literacy. Furthermore, the position assumes responsibility for the daily administration, management, and compliance of specific financial aid programs, including reporting, reconciliation, policy implementation, and developing procedures. A key aspect is the management of Georgia State Grant Programs, acting as the primary institutional liaison to the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and ensuring compliance with state regulations through accurate awarding and student communication using the SURFER and CHECS portals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possess excellent organizational, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
Be detail oriented.
Be able to prioritize and set goals.
Ability to adjust to changing situations.
Comfortable working in a highly professional environment.
Ability to interact with a diverse population, and display diplomacy.
Knowledge and understanding of and ability to implement federal, state, local and institutional regulations as they pertain to financial aid at Spelman College.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret federal regulations and administrative procedures.
Ability to write and analyze reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, government agencies, lending institutions and various college administrators.
Intermediate skills using the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access).
Intermediate skills using other reporting tools.
Use of Lotus Notes or comparable system.
Ability to perform Internet searches.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of the Banner System Financial Aid module.
Ability to run basic reports using the Banner system.
Working knowledge of State Programs.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for a designated student caseload, offering in-depth counsel on the application process (FAFSA), verification, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), cost of attendance, budgeting, and general financial aid eligibility.
Review and analyze student financial need and student aid index to accurately calculate and award federal, state, institutional, and external aid packages.
Guide students and families through complex financial aid issues, including professional judgment appeals, aid adjustment impacts, and loan options.
Educate students on responsible borrowing and basic financial management principles.
Assume responsibility for the daily administration, management, and compliance of a specific financial aid program.
Ensure program expenditures are accurately reconciled and reported to the necessary federal, state, or institutional entities.
Interpret and implement complex federal regulations (Title IV) and state/institutional policies related to the assigned program.
Develop and update procedures and process documentation for the program managed.
Serve as the primary institutional liaison to the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).
Demonstrate proficiency in the State Program regulations and the operations of the System for Uniform Records Facilitating Enrollment and Registration (SURFER) CHECS (College HOPE Eligibility Certification System) portal.
Ensure that the college remains in compliance with state regulations through accurate awarding and student communication.