Financial Aid Advisor

Within the Division of the Office of Student Finance, the ADP Financial Aid Advisor (FAA) is responsible for working with all online and satellite students related to the tuition process for the university. This position coordinates the different payment options to meet student tuition obligations. The ADP Financial Aid Advisor will provide excellent customer service to students proactively and utilize problem-solving skills to work with students to promote success and retention. The Financial Aid Advisor is also responsible for all financial aid administrative tasks related to online and satellite students, including but not limited to analyzing eligibility, awarding, file verification preparation, document tracking, ISIR review, file organization and auditing, and all other non-counseling financial aid processing tasks. Under general supervision, the Financial Aid Advisor compiles data for and assesses student eligibility for awarding and related services; reconciles accounts related to student eligibility and disbursement; and troubleshoots to provide resolution to ensure tuition obligations are met. The Financial Aid Advisor will work proactively and utilize problem-solving skills to promote success through enrollment and retention while maintaining compliance with all internal and federal financial aid policies and procedural information. Internal customer service is extensive and time-sensitive. Individuals with default status on federal student loans are not eligible for this role.

Post University currently offers the option to work remotely in this position. Candidates must plug their equipment into their home router (a 50-foot ethernet cable will be provided by Post). No wireless connections are supported. The home internet minimum requirements are a 25 Mb download speed and a 15 Mb upload speed. The upload speed is essential for a consistent audio connection for the phone system. (Please use the link provided to test your home network speed www.speedtest.net.) Candidates whose home network speed does not meet the minimum requirements can independently contact their ISP to upgrade their service before their confirmed start date.

Whenever working remotely, the candidate's home network must meet the minimum required speed and follow the hardware connection settings determined by their provisioned equipment and department role. Additionally, candidates must have a reliable Internet connection and a designated and private home office or alternative workspace free from noise or distractions.

Candidates must be available to work weekend hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Effectively communicate/explain all available payment options and necessary steps of the Financial Aid Application Process, student responsibilities, and general affordability question expectations for all New Students.
• Provide outstanding customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Extensively provide student-focused, solution-oriented communication and support to ensure all students are comfortable and sufficiently informed/prepared.
• Possess a basic understanding of federal student aid processes such as FAFSA processing, federal Stafford and plus loan, entrance and exit requirements, verification process and awards, and government policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Works closely with various departments, such as admissions, student accounts, registrars, and advising, to assist students with their tuition obligations.
• Promptly respond to all student questions, concerns, and needs regarding the tuition process within an established timeframe.
• Follow up with the student and/or internal departments to ensure the established payment methods are finalized.
• To ensure full and proper documentation, perform data entry of students' financial aid information and all comments in our databases related to students' status.
• Responsible for collecting complete and accurate documents to ensure each student file contains all necessary documentation as outlined by established guidelines.
• Counsels students with high balances or delinquent accounts to determine if additional financing is needed and obtain it.
• Participates in student registration and development activities to promote student awareness, retention, and success.
• Uses a database and various computer software to maintain and monitor confidential and other student records and files.
• Attend financial aid training activities as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Ensure the accuracy of all student files and resolve any conflicting data. Data review should include but not be limited to reviewing federal income tax returns and verifying the data against financial aid applications, proper award and EFC calculation, and adjusting financial aid awards as necessary.
• Create and maintain student financial aid files; audit all files upon completion of the award cycle.
• Responsible for ensuring each student file is complete and contains all necessary documentation, including most recent ISIR, correct award letter, and entrance counseling as outlined by established guidelines.
• Audit data at the end of each enrollment period to ensure continued eligibility, monitor satisfactory academic progress, identify and adjust for any changes in awarding, ensure continued compliance to policies such as grade level progression or withdrawals, and update student financial aid records as needed.
  

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Basic understanding of necessary documentation required by students for professional judgment requests.
• This position requires a flexible schedule and some evening and weekend hours to meet our students' needs. Current hours of operation are Monday – Thursday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; and Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS (As referenced in The Post Way of Life – Associates’ Daily Commitments)
• We expect our associates to CARE (Connect-Assess-Resolve-Excite) in every stakeholder interaction. CARE is a framework to guide our every decision and action. CARE also resonates with our diverse associate & student populations – as humans, we know what it means to CARE.
• We CONNECT. We believe relationships matter. Not only do we believe relationships matter, but we also know there is a direct correlation between the quality of our relationships and our outcomes. We invest in our relationships with colleagues, students, and ourselves – we make time to tend to our mental, physical, financial, and professional health.
• We ASSESS. We take the time to understand why something happens or happened fully; we remove assumptions and eliminate confusion or ambiguity by asking questions and creating context, certainty, clarity, and mutual understanding. We collaborate with others throughout the university by understanding their strengths and the value they bring to the tribe. When we encounter conflict, we first seek to understand and then to be understood – and always with respect.
• We RESOLVE. We generate the trust of our colleagues, students, regulatory bodies, and our greater communities by doing the right thing all the time—even when nobody is looking. We honor our promises by following up and following through. We help others learn and grow by sharing information and feedback.
• We EXCITE. “Making It Personal” is the experience we promise to each student and associate, in each and every interaction. Excite is the heart of our experience philosophy. We find ways to Wow, Amaze and Delight others by being resourceful and helpful. We embrace change, take risks and innovate. We celebrate successes and recognize the accomplishments of others.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

• A bachelor’s degree is preferred; however, an equivalent combination of education, experience, or training can be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
• Previous experience in a higher education position, such as admissions, tuition planning, and /or student finance, is preferred.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes in rules and regulations and stay compliant.
• Ability to adapt quickly to internal changes to ensure continuous success of the University.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with other employees at all levels and with diverse student populations.
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement assigned responsibilities and work well under pressure to meet established deadlines.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a high-volume environment with interruptions.
• Skill in communicating respectfully, sensitively, and effectively with people at various organizational levels.
• Skill in following written instructions, formulas, and guidelines to analyze data to conclude.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, objective-focused environment.
• Must have excellent PC skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and database software.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use tact and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to prioritize.