Financial Aid Advisor (Higher Education)

SAE Institute • Atlanta, GA

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor works with students and their families to help ensure students are properly funded for their education. The advisor explains available funding methods and financial aid program procedures and requirements, assesses students’ financial aid needs, and presents plans to address those needs. The role tracks financial aid package activity through completion and maintains accurate, timely records in accordance with applicable regulations, statutes, and company policies.

This is a full-time, campus-based, on-site position. The advisor counsels enrolled and prospective students and their families, determines Title IV eligibility, awards aid from federal, state, institutional, and private sources, and supports compliance with regulatory and audit requirements. The role also maintains student files and databases, processes loan applications, uses financial aid management systems, submits reports to government agencies, and communicates with students about award adjustments and possible alternatives. Confidentiality of information encountered in the course of business must be maintained.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field, plus two years of experience in a higher education environment, preferably in financial aid, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Working knowledge of automated higher education management systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Windows XP, Word, and Excel for Mac.
• In-depth knowledge of financial aid and/or prior financial aid experience.
• Experience with financial aid reporting systems, including but not limited to NSLDS, Gemcore, and Campus Vue.
• Ability to evaluate and assess a student’s financial aid need.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal and state regulations and guidelines.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to build rapport with students, their families, and other SAE staff members.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to multitask.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels and work collaboratively throughout the organization.
• Ability to simplify and improve work processes, handle assignments of moderate to complex scope, exercise judgment within defined procedures, develop plans for accomplishing objectives, and improve personal efficiency and performance.
• Understanding of formal organizational structure, positional responsibilities, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to follow through on commitments and present ideas and facts clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Build rapport with and counsel enrolled and prospective students and their families about financial aid and alternative funding methods.
• Determine students’ Title IV eligibility and award federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid within applicable guidelines and regulations.
• Use electronic data exchange software to send and retrieve information from the Department of Education.
• Monitor financial aid advising for program and audit compliance and maintain institutional compliance with federal and state student assistance program requirements.
• Submit reports to federal and state agencies.
• Maintain files and databases, certify student loan applications, and use computer-assisted financial aid management systems.
• Adjust over- and under-awards by determining aid to be canceled or repaid, ensuring accurate system data entry and processing, and contacting students about possible alternatives.
• Interview and advise students regarding educational financial planning.
• Maintain confidentiality of information encountered in the course of business.

What This Job Offers

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