Financial Aid Advisor II

Salary: $52,000.00 - $57,000.00 Semi-Monthly
Location : 200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, VA 23668
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Financial Aid
Opening Date: 10/16/2026


Description
The Financial Aid Advisor II provides comprehensive financial aid counseling and administrative support to prospective and enrolled students and their families. The position is responsible for advising students regarding federal, state, institutional, and other sources of financial assistance; evaluating financial aid eligibility; interpreting and applying applicable regulations and institutional policies; and assisting students in understanding their financial aid awards and responsibilities.

The Financial Aid Advisor II performs duties requiring a higher level of independent judgment, technical knowledge, and problem-solving than an entry-level financial aid advisor. The position may serve as a subject-matter resource to other financial aid staff, assist with complex student cases, and participate in financial aid outreach, training, compliance, and process-improvement initiatives.

Examples of Duties
Financial Aid Advising

• Counsel students and families regarding financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures, award information, and student responsibilities.
• Explain complex financial aid concepts and regulations in a clear and accessible manner.
• Review individual student circumstances and provide appropriate guidance regarding available financial aid options.
• Assist students in resolving financial aid issues that may affect enrollment, registration, or receipt of funds.
• Provide individualized assistance to students through in-person, telephone, email, virtual, and other communication channels.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and institutional policies.

Financial Aid Administration

• Review and process financial aid applications and supporting documentation.
• Determine and/or assist with determining student eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid programs.
• Review student records for completeness, accuracy, conflicting information, and outstanding requirements.
• Process professional judgment or special circumstance requests in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional procedures.
• Assist with verification and resolution of discrepancies in financial aid applications and student records.
• Review and adjust financial aid awards as appropriate based on changes in enrollment, eligibility, outside resources, cost of attendance, or other circumstances.
• Assist with the administration of grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and other financial aid programs.
• Monitor student eligibility and assist with resolving issues related to satisfactory academic progress and other eligibility requirements.

Compliance and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Apply federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies to individual student situations.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable financial aid regulations, including Title IV requirements.
• Assist with required documentation, reporting, reconciliation, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Identify potential compliance issues and refer complex or unusual matters to appropriate supervisory staff.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Student Outreach and Education

• Conduct financial aid presentations, workshops, orientation sessions, and outreach programs for students, parents, and prospective students.
• Develop and distribute financial aid information and educational materials.
• Participate in recruitment, enrollment, retention, and student-success initiatives as appropriate.
• Promote financial literacy and help students understand the financial implications of borrowing and other forms of financial assistance.

Lead/Advanced Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource to Financial Aid Advisors and other staff regarding complex financial aid questions and procedures.
• Assist with training and onboarding new financial aid staff.
• May review complex or escalated student cases and make recommendations for resolution.
• Assist with updating office procedures, forms, training materials, and website content.
• Participate in process-improvement initiatives designed to improve service delivery, accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• May coordinate specific financial aid programs, projects, or functional areas as assigned.

Other Duties:

• Maintain accurate student records and case notes.
• Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and institutional initiatives.
• Assist during peak processing and enrollment periods, including extended hours or special events when necessary.
• Handles more complex and sensitive financial aid cases independently.
• Exercises greater judgment in interpreting regulations and institutional policies.
• Serves as a resource/subject-matter expert for other staff.
• May train or mentor Financial Aid Advisor I staff.
• May coordinate assigned programs or functional areas.
• Participates in compliance, process improvement, and departmental projects.
• Escalates only the most complex or unusual cases to management.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, as permitted by institutional policy.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student services, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, regulations, and procedures and apply them to individual circumstances.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and customer-service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity software.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, and external organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a higher education student information system and/or financial aid management system.
• Experience with FAFSA processing, verification, professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, federal student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.
• Experience with federal Title IV regulations and financial aid compliance requirements.
• Experience providing financial aid counseling in a college or university environment.
• Experience training or mentoring other financial aid staff.
• Knowledge of financial aid technology and electronic processing systems.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees and part-time employees who regularly work 20 hours or more per week including health care, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, legal insurance, accident, critical illness, hospitalization, tuition remission, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

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