Financial Aid Advisor, Customer Service

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN? With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career JOB SUMMARY UT Southwestern Medical Center is seeking an experienced and organized Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Our student population needs an energetic and dedicated approach to delivering customer service and support for the Financial Aid team.  This hybrid position offers the best of both worlds—two or three days a week on our Dallas campus and two days working from home for added flexibility. The Financial Aid Advisor plays a critical role in guiding students throughout the financial aid process. As a Financial Aid Advisor, the selected applicant will have the important responsibility to assist prospective and current students with financial aid options to fund their education. The selected individual will have the opportunity to provide professional advising services for over 2000 graduate/ professional students across our four schools: Medical School, School of Health Professions, School of Public Health, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. They will utilize strong communication and analytical skills to proactively interpret student needs and devise timely and appropriate solutions, and support student success through proactive financial aid assistance, They will collaborate with financial aid advising staff, leadership, administrative partners across the university, and external partners in the community to deliver exceptional service to our students. In addition, the position provides support for the operational functions of the office. This includes administrative tasks such as management of document intake and scheduling, as well as coordinating management of departmental files. Join our talented and dedicated team and make a meaningful impact on future health leaders. BENEFITS UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include: PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay Paid Time Off, available day one Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Paid Parental Leave Benefit Wellness programs Tuition Reimbursement Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Required Education Associate's Degree or High School Diploma or GED Experience 1 year Of financial aid experience with Associate's Degree. or 3 years Of financial aid experience with High School Diploma and Preferred Experience Experience in PeopleSoft Campus Solutions JOB DUTIES ·         Counsel students and families on financial aid eligibility, application procedures, and available funding options ·         Guide students through the FAFSA process, documentation requirements, and award acceptance. ·         Explain loan terms and repayment responsibilities ·         Track and image student documents and emails to ensure compliance ·         Manage active office email inbox, ensuring timely responses within established service levels ·         Provide, as requested, documents showing a student’s cost of attendance, financial aid eligibility etc. for purposes of housing, insurance, and private scholarships ·         Deliver resourceful and thoughtful customer service through multiple modalities (phone, email, in-person) to assist students in completing the financial aid            process. ·         Maintain compliance with Department of Education regulations by verifying and updating students’ records as needed. ·         Identify and resolve disbursement barriers to ensure timely financial aid disbursement. ·         Stay current with evolving financial aid regulations and best practices; conduct an annual review of document request descriptions and instructions are up            to date and accurate ·         Conduct proactive outreach to students regarding financial aid status, documentation needs, and funding options. ·         Collaborate with academic and student services teams to ensure a seamless student experience. ·         Provide counseling or referral for students facing financial challenges that may impact their enrollment. ·         Maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and external agencies. ·         Work closely with the Financial Aid leadership and other stakeholders to optimize financial aid processes. ·         Contribute to department meetings, training sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives. ·         Document student interactions and financial aid processes to ensure accurate records and compliance. ·         Manage online booking system for students to access staff for in-person and virtual meetings ·         Assist with scheduling for Director and Associate Director as needed ·         Monitor supplies and inventory, and track office resources and purchasing Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities ·      Demonstrate competency in maintaining a positive and respectful attitude, and taking ownership of one’s actions and responsibilities through challenging             situations ·         Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve independently, referring to the supervisor only those situations that warrant escalation ·         Demonstrate integrity in dealings with students, colleagues, faculty and staff, and other stakeholders ·         Professional demeanor, the ability to work independently, understand goals and deadlines and possess excellent communication and organizational skills. ·         Strong customer service skills with a passion for helping others. ·         Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. ·         Excellent communication and counseling skills. ·         Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment. ·         Previous experience in a higher education or financial aid setting. ·         Familiarity with Title IV regulations and student financial aid policies. ·         The ability to be adaptable and flexible as we grow and evolve as an organization and department. Performs other duties as assigned. SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT Security This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position. EEO Statement UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.