Financial Aid Advisor II

Financial Aid Advisor IIScholarships & Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor II to counsel and provide information on federal, state and institutional scholarships, financial aid & military education benefits for currently enrolled and prospective Galveston students. We're looking for a passionate, critical thinking, and driven individual who has a student first mindset to assist and advise students on available aid to finance their education. The successful candidate provides great customer service, has the ability to meet deadlines, succeeds in a fast pace environment, and maintains a high level of accuracy and professionalism.The Financial Aid Advisor II will learn to advise current and prospective students and their families both in one-on-one and group settings.Salary: $49,500/annuallyCover Letter & Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommendedOther Requirements:Please note this position is located on-site in College Station, TX.Occasional travel.May be asked to work weekends, holidays, and outside regular business hours during peak periods.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.Essential Duties and TasksAdvising:Uses discretion and independent judgment to advice and counsel students, parents, and/or prospective students 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 from currently enrolled students, prospective students and parents.Assists outreach staff with prospective students and in their transition to current TAMU students. Performs 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.Serves as occasional scheduled Phone Queue agent and assists with coverage of front counter in the main reception area of department greets visitors, answer inquiries regarding federal financial aid forms, records, procedures, and policies.Assists with conducting on and off-campus presentations, seminars, and/or workshops for students and possibly for professional development training. May work at resource tables as requested by groups from TAMU, prospective student groups, and others.Provides loan and indebtedness counseling to students on an individual and group basis. Serves as financial aid counselor as well as walk-in counselor as needed.Awards, revises and/or approves the awarding of financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines.Makes adjustments if necessary for compliance issues and submits the corrections through automated correction process or submits through FAA Access.Uses discretion to respond to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid, scholarships, and specialized programs.Performs other duties as assignedFinancial Aid Knowledge & Team Support:Provides assistance and guidance to other financial aid staff to ensure that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures.Assists in developing and revising financial aid consumer information material, publications and brochures for currently enrolled students, prospective students and their parents, colleges, departments and university use.Participates in and may lead departmental work groups. Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to financial aid, student employment, and scholarships.Knows how outreach and early awareness staff interact with CS staff and transition students from prospective to currently enrolled TAMU students.Attends departmental and other trainings. Reviews complex rules, regulations procedures and policies relating to financial aid, scholarships, and customer service, and recommend revisions to university or departmental policies and procedures and assists in informing and/or training other staff. May work with state, regional, or national committees concerning new, changed, or deleted regulations and impacts to financial aid offices and students.Presentations:Conducts on- and off-campus financial aid presentations, seminars, and/or workshops for students and possibly for professional development training.Represents TAMUG at resource tables as requested by groups from TAMUG, prospective student groups, and others.Plans and executes special events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives. Assists in the transition of students from prospective to currently enrolled students.Participates in and may lead departmental work groups.General:Assists in planning and execution of events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives (e.g. financial aid awareness programs, Aggieland Saturday, outreach efforts).Attends local, state, and national workshops, and conferences, host and present at various workshops. May participate in committees for industry organizations or within the University.Conducts seminar and gives presentations to include classroom and/or professional level for profession and others.Assists in developing and presenting training seminars on pertinent topics and procedures within team area of expertise.Uses discretion to respond to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid, scholarships, and specialized programs.QualificationsRequired Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.One year in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student veteran's services or related experience.Preferred Qualifications:Two or more years in student financial aid or advising experience at a college level. Management and supervisory skills.Comfortable working independently while engaging with team members in different locations.Some professional experience in a higher education setting.Professional experience in a role related to student advising, recruitment, counseling or student affairs.Background in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students. Demonstrated written communication skills.Knowledge of Systems A, B and C. Excellent customer service skills.Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office. Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems.Bilingual in Spanish.Ability to develop and make presentations.Knowledge and experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention. Certified Financial Advisor or Accredited Financial Counselor.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and customer service.Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.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.Attention to detail.Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.Who We AreThe 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 assists 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 $1 billion in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.Why Texas A&M University?We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.