Financial Aid Advisor

Department: Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range beginning at $20.48/hr, adjusted based on qualifications

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8a - 5p (occasional evening and weekend);work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of students? We're looking for an energetic, empathetic person to join our Student Impact Team -- someone who's excited to help students navigate financial aid, scholarships, loans, and their overall financial wellness.

In this role, you'll do more than process paperwork. You'll meet with students and families, respond to cases and emails, and collaborate with partners across campus. You'll listen closely, identify what students truly need, and help them understand the options available to them.

We're looking for someone who's eager to learn the ins and outs of financial aid and confident in sharing that knowledge with students. You'll think on your feet, ask good questions, and offer clear, supportive guidance.
If you're comfortable presenting to small or medium-sized groups, even better. You'll help host information sessions for students and families and contribute ideas for new outreach efforts.

Most importantly, you'll be a trusted resource -- someone students feel comfortable turning to when they need help with their financial aid. If you're motivated to support student success and excited to be part of a team that values connection and impact, we'd love to meet you.

Job Summary

Provides financial aid counseling and education services to assist students and/or parents in the application process, delivery system, programs, and student award preparation, including, but not limited to federal, state, institutional, and private sources of financial aid.

Essential Functions

Provides information on aid application and awarding process; budgeting and financial literacy; and scholarship availability and eligibility requirements. Interprets financial aid rules and processes. Ensures compliance with federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) as well as other federal, state, institutional and private financial aid regulations and policies. Resolves financial aid related questions and escalations related to all federal, state and institutional aid programs. Assists with general financial aid questions and processes as needed. Provides communication and outreach to participants. May coordinate and schedule presentations and workshops, develop marketing materials and financial aid forms and/or manage social media messaging. Promotes department visibility and/or assists with events to support student engagement, retention, and recruitment. May focus on special student populations. Conducts financial aid workshops and outreach. Assists in the development and presentation of financial aid information to high schools, various on-campus and off-campus groups and organizations. Provides oversight for student assistants and serves as a staff resource on complex financial aid advising questions.

Job Duties

- Advising and Counseling: Provide one-on-one financial aid counseling to students and their families. Explain financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, application processes, and award procedures. Appropriate customer service response times to those requesting information and accuracy in what is being provided.

- Application Assistance: Assist students in completing financial aid forms, including FAFSA, scholarships, and loan applications. Ensure accuracy and timeliness in submissions.

- Student Support: Address and resolve financial aid-related concerns and issues. Advocate for students and provide guidance on financial management and budgeting.

- Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including Admissions, to ensure seamless support for students. Participate in outreach activities and workshops to promote financial aid awareness.

- Compliance and Documentation: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Ensure compliance and accurate documentation of all financial aid activities.

-Collaborate with Admissions, Registrar, OneStop, Student Success, CARE Team and other relevant departments to provide integrated support services. Attend cross-departmental meetings to discuss policy updates, procedural changes, and improve service delivery.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Three (3) years of experience in financial aid or related field. Every 30 hours of college coursework can be substituted for one (1) year of experience, up to 120 hours.

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Effective problem-solving skills to address and resolve financial aid-related issues.
- Capable delivering captivating presentations on financial aid topics, tailored to diverse audiences, ensuring clarity and engagement.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and across departments to support students effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish speakers

Additional Information:

Applicants must meet the requirement of being a "U. S. Citizen" or Permanent Residence because the position requires access to information, a federal government database.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.

Additional Physical Requirement: