Position Description – Financial Aid Advisor

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:	Financial Aid Advisor	FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Reports to:	Director of Financial Aid
Department:	Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs (Student and Enrollment Services)
Date Prepared:	June 2005

BASIC FUNCTION

The Financial Aid Advisor provides prospective students, existing students, and their parents with all applicable information regarding financial aid. The incumbent reviews financial aid applications and awards students financial aid. The incumbent also works to reduce the student loan default rate at ABAC.

NATURE & SCOPE

The Financial Aid Advisor reports to the Director of Financial Aid, who reviews work on an annual basis. This position considers alternative methods of accomplishing goals within standing instructions. Instructions generally provide latitude to consider variations in procedures or the sequence of procedures based on situations encountered while in the work setting. This position does not carry the responsibility of supervising the work of any other employees.

In this position, customer service and communication skills are essential. The incumbent often has the task of advising students and parents regarding financial aid matters. This information can have significant impacts on the financial health of the individuals, so it is imperative that information is presented in an understandable, professional manner.

In addition, the incumbent must be able to complete tasks with relatively short deadlines. Students often wait until the last possible minute to submit financial aid information. Thus, the Financial Aid Advisor must work diligently and efficiently in order to complete tasks on time. A high level of stress management ability is helpful.

In addition, a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies and programs is required. This knowledge must be applied to specific situations that the incumbent deals with regularly. Moreover, attention to detail is extremely important in this position. Numbers must be accurately recorded and reported, and situations must be assessed in relation to the circumstances surrounding them.

Position Description – Financial Aid Advisor

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Ø Processes financial aid applications and makes awards to students

Ø Posts entrance and exit interviews

Ø Reviews students’ eligibility for federal work study programs and makes awards as needed

Ø Provides financial aid counseling for students and parents

Ø Assists former students with student loans

Ø Processes federal aid information

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Financial Aid Advisor has no budgetary responsibility.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

This position requires two-years of college or vocational school and one to three years of experience in the field. Proficiency in Banner, Microsoft Office, and other departmental-related software is required.