Financial Aid Advisor I- Advising

Job Title

Financial Aid Advisor I- Advising

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Scholarships And Financial Aid

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experience.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs:  grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assist students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.

What We Want

Scholarships & Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor I to advise and counsel student and their families on aid eligibility. The Financial Aid Advisor assists in facilitating workshops and learns to make presentations on and off campus to groups regarding financial aid and scholarships. The position also will conduct one-on-one appointments in regard to student special circumstances, satisfactory academic progress and cost of attendance changes. We are looking for a detail-oriented individual who is passionate about providing excellent customer service while assisting students and families with their financial needs. If this description appeals to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What You Need to Know

Salary Range : $20.19/ hour

Cover Letter & Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• No experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation.
• Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be literate in the English language and able to comprehend, give and follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with all customers.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior financial aid or advising experience at a college level.
• Customer service experience.
• Background in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students.
• Experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention.
• Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office.
• Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to develop and make presentations.
• Knowledge of enrollment management focusing on outreach and/or retention.

Essential Duties/Tasks

ADVISING

• Learns to use discretion and independent judgment to advise and counsel students, parents, and/or prospective student in solving their educational financial problems through scholarships, loans, grants, employment and financial counseling.
• Responds to questions and counseling needs in-person and by written, phone, and email means from currently enrolled students, prospective students, and parents. Learns to assist outreach staff with prospective students in their transition to current students.
• Learns to provide loan and indebtedness counseling to students on an individual and group basis.
• Learns to assist with review, revision, and interpretation of complex rules, regulations, procedures and policies relating to general financial aid, scholarships, and team specialty areas.

FINANCIAL AID AWARDING

• Learns to award, revise and/or approve the awarding of financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines.
• Learns to make adjustments if necessary for compliance issues.
• Learns to use discretion to respond to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid, scholarships and specialized programs.
• Learns to perform reviews for professional judgment of student files, making adjustments as needed.
• Reviews Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals and makes decisions regarding the validity of these appeals.

KNOWLEDGE-TRAINING

• Learns to interpret and maintain knowledge of current federal, state and institutional policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to financial aid, student employment and scholarships.
• Learns to develop and revise financial aid consumer information materials, publications and brochures for currently enrolled students, prospective students and their parents, colleges, departments, and university use.

PRESENTATIONS

• Assists with conducting on- and off-campus financial aid presentations, seminars, and/or workshops for students and possibly for professional development training.
• Represents TAMU at resource tables as requested by groups from TAMU, prospective student groups, and others.
• Assists in planning and executing special events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives.
• May attend local, state, and national workshops, and conferences, host and present at various workshops.
• Some travel may be required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Other Requirements and Factors:

Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.