Financial Aid Advisor

Department Contact: Maria Hernandez, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services department is seeking a highly motivated student centered individual with excellent customer service skills to join the Financial Aid Team.

Position Details

Position Title: Financial Aid Advisor

College/Division: Student Enrollment and Success

Department: 521040-UNIV FIN AID & SCHOLARSHIP SVCS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 43,908.80

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status : Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Provides support and guidance as a student's single point of contact for all matters related to financial aid opportunities, including but not limited to federal grants, loans, work study, and state, institutional and private scholarships. Follows federal and state regulations and NMSU policies and procedures in the review and analysis of financial aid applications. Acts as an advisor to students, potential students and families, enforces regulations and policies, serves on appeal committee, creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends solutions on how to improve their status. Effectively presents federal, state and scholarship aid information to individuals, small and large groups. Leads policy research, implementation, documentation, and training for entire NMSU-system.

Financial Aid Advising and Counseling: Provide personalized, one-on-one advising to students, prospective students, and families on financial aid options, eligibility, and application processes. Assist students in understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI), Cost of Attendance (COA), and their financial need calculations. Guide students through the financial aid process, including advising on specialized programs like MAP, study abroad, and consortium agreements. Support students facing financial or personal hardships through appeals, professional judgement requests, and financial hardship counseling. Offer specialized advising to diverse student populations, including veterans, undocumented students, graduate students, and independent students. Respond to inquires via email, phone, and in-person meetings, providing updates on financial aid status and clarifying award letters and disbursement schedules.

Applicant processing and Award Packaging: Review and analyze FAFSA applications for accuracy, completeness, and eligibility. Collect and verify documentation for federal and institutional verification processes. Package and award financial aid according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines, ensuring that changes in student enrollment or status are reflected in aid packages. Adjust financial aid awards based on changes in funding, enrollment, or following successful appeals or professional judgment requests.

Data Records Management: Ensure the accurate entry, maintenance, and updating of student financial aid records in the student information system (e.g., NSLDS, COD). Maintain electronic financial aid files and ensure FERPA compliance in all data handling and storage. Conduct data analysis and generate reports on financial aid distribution, trends, and SAP evaluations.

Regulatory Compliance and Policy Oversight: Stay up-to-date with federal and state financial aid regulations (e.g., Title IV, SAP) and interpret any changes or updates to these regulations. Monitor and manage Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) evaluations and oversee the SAP appeal process, including creating academic plans for approval appeals. Develop, implement, and review internal financial aid procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Ensure the university's adherence to federal, state, and institutional policies related to financial aid and scholarships.

Outreach, Training and Presentations: Represent the university at community and high school outreach events to educate prospective students and families about financial aid options. Present financial aid information at student orientations, workshops, and training sessions for staff and other departments. Collaborate with other departments, including admissions, registrar, and academic affairs, to support student retention and success. Create and deliver training materials and financial aid resources for both internal staff and external partners. Stay current with best practices in financial aid advising and participate in ongoing professional development. Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.