Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

About The Position

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships seeks a Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor I/II to support the administration and coordination of financial aid and scholarship programs, including but not limited to federal and private student loans, scholarships and fellowships, Federal Work-Study, verification, withdrawals, and Return to Title IV calculations, and other assigned aid programs. This position provides operational, analytical, and customer service support by reviewing eligibility, processing transactions, maintaining compliance with federal, state, institutional, donor, and program-specific regulations, resolving issues, and collaborating with students, families, faculty, staff, and campus partners. Placement at the Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor I/II level will be based on the selected candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated knowledge and abilities.

Requirements

Level I: Bachelor's degree - no specific discipline
Level II: Bachelor's degree - no specific discipline
Level II: 2 years of experience in financial aid and/or scholarship administration, financial services, banking, finance, accounting or related compliance-driven program administration in higher education.

Nice To Haves

Participates in training, professional development, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing to strengthen understanding of financial aid and scholarship regulations, assigned processes, regulations, institutional policies, and operational expectations.

Responsibilities

Administers and coordinates assigned areas of financial aid and scholarship operations with moderate independence, applying established procedures and seeking guidance for complex or unusual situations.
Determines, or supports the determination of financial aid, scholarship, fellowship, or other award eligibility within assigned areas by analyzing documentation, applying established criteria to moderately complex situations, making recommendations, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures, and referring matters requiring higher-level approval or policy interpretation to appropriate leadership.
Responds to routine and moderately complex questions related to assigned financial aid or scholarship processes and refers escalated, technical, or policy sensitive matters to higher level staff.
Monitors activities within assigned areas by analyzing operational trends, identifying routine and moderately complex issues, resolving issues within established authority, and recommending improvements to procedures, documentation, or workflow in accordance with established policies, procedures, and best practices.
Collaborates with internal staff and campus partners to resolve routine and moderately complex issues within assigned areas, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures and escalating matters as appropriate.
Serves as a member of relevant appeal committees and other exception-based processes by analyzing documentation, developing recommendations, and ensuring compliance with established procedures.
Reviews, processes, reconciles, and documents financial aid and scholarship applications, materials, and transactions, analyzing eligibility and compliance requirements, resolving routine and moderately complex processing issues, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, institutional, donor, and program-specific requirements in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Maintains records, reports, process documentation, communications, and other materials for assigned areas by analyzing documentation for accuracy and compliance, resolving routine and moderately complex documentation issues with minimal guidance, and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
Supports planning and coordination for assigned operational areas through the analysis of operational needs, coordination of routine planning activities, development of planning materials, and resolution of day-to-day planning and administrative matters within established policies and procedures.
Participates in meetings and collaborates with internal teams, campus partners, and stakeholders by analyzing information, resolving routine and moderately complex matters with minimal guidance, developing recommendations, coordinating follow-up activities, and communicating timelines, milestones, and process updates in accordance with established policies and procedures.