Position Description – Financial Aid Advisor/HOPE

Coordinator

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:	Financial Aid Advisor/HOPE Coordinator	FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to:	Director of Financial Aid
Department:	Office of Fiancial Aid and Veterans Affairs (Student and Enrollment Services)
Date Prepared:	June 2005

BASIC FUNCTION

The Financial Aid Advisor has the responsibility of providing students and parents with assistance in the financial aid process. The incumbent also determines the eligibility of all students requesting evaluation for the HOPE Scholarship. Additionally, the incumbent handles the send up and download of all loan application information and money.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Financial Aid Advisor reports to the Director of Financial Aid, and his/her work is also reviewed annually by an audit from the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The tasks undertaken in this position are generally proceduralized and follow established precedent; however, the incumbent has the latitude to consider the most appropriate procedure or precedent to follow. The incumbent is not responsible for the supervision of any other employees.

The position of Financial Aid Advisor requires a person to be well organized with the ability to be highly accurate with number and records. The primary responsibility of the position is determining HOPE eligibility for students. This requires an attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of the program. These organizational skills are also important in processing loan information.

Furthermore, the incumbent must have excellent communication skills. The incumbent is the primary contact of students dealing with the HOPE Scholarship and student loans, so it is important that he/she is able to communicate effectively the process and any problems that may arise. Excellent written communication skills are also very beneficial.

Position Description – Financial Aid Advisor/HOPE

Coordinator

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Ø Evaluates eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship

Ø Certifies all student and parent loans electronically

Ø Completes Consortium Agreements for transfer students and awards money

Ø Requests pre-approval of Parent PLUS loans from a variety of vendors

Ø Adjusts student loans with the Guarantee agency when changes are requested by the student

Ø Reconciles the HOPE awards at the end of each fall semester as well as at the end of the academic year

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Financial Aid Advisor has no responsibility regarding budgetary decisions; however, the incumbent is responsible for awarding over $2 million annually in HOPE Scholarship/Grant money.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

This position requires two years of college or vocational school and typically less than one year of experience.