Financial Aid Advisor I

Position Title:

Financial Aid Advisor I

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in customer service, higher education, or student advising.

Experience working with database management.

Experience with financial aid.

Experience with scholarship awarding and applicant management.

Job Description:

Located in the heart of Iowa State's campus, the Office of Student Financial Aid is a unit within the Division of Academic Affairs that administers more than $400 million in federal, state, institutional, and private funds to over 85% of undergraduate students, along with additional support for domestic graduate students seeking aid. We strive to help all students succeed in their Iowa State experience through education and outreach to create an understanding of available financial aid opportunities.

About the role:

• This position works directly with scholarship awarding, appeals and management.

• Awarding funds in a timely manner to support enrollment goals and promoting a positive financial aid experience for students and their families.

• Assists students and families by making recommendations, interpreting regulations, and reviewing petitions.

• Counsels students and families regarding financial aid including eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, indebtedness, money management, and financial planning.

• Prepares and gives presentations related to financial aid and related topics.

• Analyzes data and applies judgement.

• Evaluates individual circumstances and documentation and makes adjustments or exceptions based on judgement.

• Provides status updates regarding eligibility, scholarships, and applications.

• Process checks received from external entities including posting of checks to student accounts and reconciliation of individual scholarship accounts.

• Answer questions from other university units regarding how receipt of institutional scholarships might impact the overall financial aid package, and manually enter scholarships that are not part of the OneApp portal.

• The individual will review daily reports and make adjustments and corrections as needed.

• They will participate in an annual review of policies, procedures and institutional selection logic related to the scholarship program and provide input on processing, reporting and training changes needed to address updated regulatory guidance.

• They will review system reports and update internal and external online student systems to resolve identified discrepancies.

About us:

• The Office of Student Financial Aid values student success, accountability, innovation, collaboration, dignity and respect, and advocacy above all else.

• While we are dedicated to serving students, we also place importance on professional growth and development in the workplace by offering staff retreats and conference opportunities throughout the year.

• We value each member of our team and believe each of us has unique skills that enhance our work.

• We work to get to know each other's individual strengths and weaknesses, creating a space for open dialogue and optimal collaboration.

About you:

• The successful candidate will possess strong communication skills including the ability to explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as well as scholarship policies to multiple audiences with differing levels of understanding.

• They will need to demonstrate attention to detail in establishing workflows to support scholarship check processing, hiring, supervising and training of student support staff, and audit trails to ensure consistency and accuracy in methods employed.

• This position will have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and must have the capacity to work well in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

• Must be self-motivated and exhibit patience in supporting the identification, resolution and documentation of process issues.

If you're ready to start a rewarding career alongside dedicated Financial Aid staff at Iowa State, apply to join our team!

Level Guidelines

• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision

• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode

• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope

• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained

• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate

• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity

• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS805

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:

April 26, 2024

Posting Close Date:

May 10, 2024

Job Requisition Number:

R14577