Financial Aid Advisor, Customer Service

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

36d • Hybrid

About The Position

UT Southwestern Medical Center is seeking an experienced and organized Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Our student population needs an energetic and dedicated approach to delivering customer service and support for the Financial Aid team. This hybrid position offers the best of both worlds-two or three days a week on our Dallas campus and two days working from home for added flexibility. The Financial Aid Advisor plays a critical role in guiding students throughout the financial aid process. As a Financial Aid Advisor, the selected applicant will have the important responsibility to assist prospective and current students with financial aid options to fund their education. The selected individual will have the opportunity to provide professional advising services for over 2000 graduate/ professional students across our four schools: Medical School, School of Health Professions, School of Public Health, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. They will utilize strong communication and analytical skills to proactively interpret student needs and devise timely and appropriate solutions, and support student success through proactive financial aid assistance, They will collaborate with financial aid advising staff, leadership, administrative partners across the university, and external partners in the community to deliver exceptional service to our students. In addition, the position provides support for the operational functions of the office. This includes administrative tasks such as management of document intake and scheduling, as well as coordinating management of departmental files. Join our talented and dedicated team and make a meaningful impact on future health leaders.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree or High School Diploma or GED
• 1 year Of financial aid experience with Associate's Degree. or 3 years Of financial aid experience with High School Diploma
• Demonstrate competency in maintaining a positive and respectful attitude, and taking ownership of one's actions and responsibilities through challenging situations
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve independently, referring to the supervisor only those situations that warrant escalation
• Demonstrate integrity in dealings with students, colleagues, faculty and staff, and other stakeholders
• Professional demeanor, the ability to work independently, understand goals and deadlines and possess excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Strong customer service skills with a passion for helping others.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and counseling skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Familiarity with Title IV regulations and student financial aid policies.
• The ability to be adaptable and flexible as we grow and evolve as an organization and department.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
• Previous experience in a higher education or financial aid setting.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and families on financial aid eligibility, application procedures, and available funding options
• Guide students through the FAFSA process, documentation requirements, and award acceptance.
• Explain loan terms and repayment responsibilities
• Track and image student documents and emails to ensure compliance
• Manage active office email inbox, ensuring timely responses within established service levels
• Provide, as requested, documents showing a student's cost of attendance, financial aid eligibility etc. for purposes of housing, insurance, and private scholarships
• Deliver resourceful and thoughtful customer service through multiple modalities (phone, email, in-person) to assist students in completing the financial aid process.
• Maintain compliance with Department of Education regulations by verifying and updating students' records as needed.
• Identify and resolve disbursement barriers to ensure timely financial aid disbursement.
• Stay current with evolving financial aid regulations and best practices; conduct an annual review of document request descriptions and instructions are up to date and accurate
• Conduct proactive outreach to students regarding financial aid status, documentation needs, and funding options.
• Collaborate with academic and student services teams to ensure a seamless student experience.
• Provide counseling or referral for students facing financial challenges that may impact their enrollment.
• Maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and external agencies.
• Work closely with the Financial Aid leadership and other stakeholders to optimize financial aid processes.
• Contribute to department meetings, training sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Document student interactions and financial aid processes to ensure accurate records and compliance.
• Manage online booking system for students to access staff for in-person and virtual meetings
• Assist with scheduling for Director and Associate Director as needed
• Monitor supplies and inventory, and track office resources and purchasing
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees