Financial Aid Advisor

Financial Aid Advisor

Location: Multiple Locations

Department: Financial Aid

Advertised Salary: $43,335. See Job Summary for details on salary placement. Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.).

FLSA: Exempt

Temporary/Continuing: Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time

Union Group: N/A

Term of Position: 12 Month

At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause

Summary of Position: The incumbent is responsible for providing expert financial aid counseling and guidance to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, borrowing and debt management, and related matters. The position requires maintaining a high level of expertise in institutional, state, and federal financial aid regulations and programs, with the ability to communicate complex financial aid concepts effectively to a diverse range of constituents, including students, parents and families, faculty and staff, and executive leadership.

The incumbent develops, implements, and manages policies, procedures, and processes that ensure the effective and compliant administration and distribution of financial aid resources. This role focuses on leveraging operational efficiencies and maximizing available funds to support institutional enrollment goals, student recruitment and retention, and overall student success.

This position will report to the Big Rapids campus 60% of the time (3 days) and to the Grand Rapids campus 40% of the time (2 days).

The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future. The university will not assist with any F-1 EADs, OPT, H-1 B, etc.

Offers are determined based on a review of the candidate's qualifications, including education, training, experience, and internal pay equity considerations. Placement within the range will generally be based on the following factors:

Entry-Range: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and core requirements of the position.

Mid-Range: Candidates with three or more years of directly related professional experience and demonstrate proficiency in the key responsibilities of the role.

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's overall qualifications, experience, and alignment with the University's compensation philosophy in consultation with Human Resources.

Position Type: Staff

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Required Work Experience: Work experience that includes customer service and financial responsibility.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain comprehensive expertise across the spectrum of financial aid programs and funding types, including awareness of institutional policies and state and federal regulations governing each.

Provide professional guidance on all matters of financial aid, determining financial need and student eligibility for the issuance of all forms of aid, including (but not limited to) scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and more.

Provide expert counseling to students and parents regarding aid eligibility, application procedures, and other relevant information, utilizing effective communication skills and methods.

Present financial aid information programs both on- and off-campus, including evening and weekend presentations as needed (e.g., recruiting events, financial aid nights, and orientation).

Work effectively with key strategic partners across campus, including; (but not limited to), University Advancement & Marketing, Student Employment; Student Financial Services, Academic Colleges, Athletics, and more.

Assist with management of the portfolio of donor scholarships as needed.

Utilize financial aid expertise to propose, implement, oversee, and disseminate policies and processes as needed.

Develop and implement processes and ongoing training initiatives for campus constituents, including internal office staff as needed.

Ability to oversee, reconcile, and manage, in conjunction with relevant offices and external agencies, accounts exceeding $1m, ensuring funds are distributed in accordance with all institutional, state, and federal regulations.

Provide appropriate reporting of account balances and spending, historical or forecasted trends, and statistical analysis to a variety of stakeholders.

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and information in accordance with FERPA.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.

Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of information pursuant to university policies and/or state or federal laws.

Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.

Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: May supervise clerical and/or student employees.

Skills and Abilities:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.

Ability to work with technical systems and software applications to investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve technical discrepancies in the issuance and distribution of aid.

Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey an appropriate amount of information to a diverse audience.

Exercise professional judgment, in accordance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, in an equitable and consistent manner when changing students' cost of attendance, changing dependency status, or altering financial aid data due to special circumstances.

Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously with a high level of organization and attention to detail.

Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to a wide variety of financial situations.

Perform various mathematical computations with accuracy.

Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Required Documents: Cover Letter, Resume, Unofficial Transcript 1

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. Transcripts must include the institution name, the applicant's name, the date the degree was attained, and the degree awarded. Finalists will be required to submit an official transcript.

Initial Application Review Date: November 2, 2026

Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes

EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to cultivating an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences within its community, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity, and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.