Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate or Senior

Job Description

Job Description

Special Information

• This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.

About the Department/College

The office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is committed to helping students through the process of applying for financial aid, finding scholarship and grant opportunities and maximizing the funding to pay for education.

About the Position

Financial Aid Advisors report to a Manager on the Client Services team at the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA), within the division of Strategic Enrollment and Marketing (SEM). Financial Aid Advisors assist in the oversight of multiple functions within the office, which includes, but is not limited to: advising students and families on financial aid policies, and processing financial aid appeals by following office procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.

• This position is located on the Flagstaff Mountain campus.
• May fill as Intermediate or Senior level depending on experience.

Responsibilities Include

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

Program Management - 40%

• Manages multiple programs with a minimal degree of autonomy, including but not limited to the Graduate Program and AmeriCorps program.
• Collaborates with the Graduate College to ensure program requirements are met for eligible students.
• Awards and monitors financial aid for graduate students, graduate student departmental waivers, Campus Living, and other assigned programs.
• Maintains program documentation to support daily operations.
• Participates in planning and organizing the awarding process to ensure compliance, quality control, and timely processing.
• Completes recurring reports and identifies trends for review by leadership.
• Reviews and finalizes incomplete or inconsistent requests to ensure accurate awarding.
• Facilitates communications and activities and assists with training for assigned programs under established procedures.
• Identifies program concerns and, with guidance and available resources, proposes solutions to support program operations.
• Provides input and recommendations for improving team processes and procedures.
• Collaborates with campus partners, including the Service/Solution Center, Registrar, and Student and Departmental Accounts.
• Ensures assigned programs comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Customer Service - 25%

• Provides holistic customer service through walk-in appointments, phone appointments, virtual meetings, email, and Salesforce cases.
• Counsels students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, cost of attendance, debt management, and financial aid policies.
• Assists students with completion and submission of financial aid documentation.
• Analyzes financial and academic information using established federal, state, donor, and institutional guidelines to determine aid eligibility.
• Investigates student accounts and resolves routine issues, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
• Utilizes internal and external systems including PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, MS Teams, COD, and NSLDS.
• Assists with testing system updates, enhancements, and data processing activities.

Support Client Services Priorities - 20%

• Exercises professional judgment when processing SAP, contribution, and budget appeals in accordance with federal regulations, institutional policy, and established department procedures.
• Educates students on appeal requirements and communicates appeal decisions.
• Support Department & Division Priorities - 10%
• Notifies management of issues and trends impacting efficient and accurate aid processing.
• Cross-trains within the department as needed. Participates in departmental special projects.
• Maintains collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Assists with Orientation, Discover NAU, and outreach activities.
• Supports a collaborative team environment.

Other - 5%

• Serves on university committees as assigned.
• May require evening and weekend work or travel. Performs other duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior

Program Management - 40%

• Manages multiple programs with a high degree of autonomy, including but not limited to the Graduate Program and AmeriCorps program.
• Collaborates with the Graduate College to ensure program requirements are met for eligible students.
• Awards and monitors financial aid for graduate students, graduate student departmental waivers, Campus Living, and other assigned programs.
• Maintains comprehensive program documentation to support operations and compliance.
• Coordinates the planning and organization of the awarding process to ensure compliance, quality control, and timely processing.
• Completes recurring reports, analyzes trends, and recommends operational improvements.
• Reviews and finalizes incomplete or inconsistent requests to ensure accurate awarding.
• Coordinates communications, program activities, and training for internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently identifies program concerns, analyzes complex issues, and troubleshoots effective solutions using sound judgment and available resources.
• Actively leads and implements improvements to team processes, procedures, and program operations.
• Collaborates with campus partners, including the Service/Solution Center, Registrar, and Student and Departmental Accounts, to resolve complex program issues.
• Ensures assigned programs comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations and recommends procedural changes as regulations evolve.

Customer Service - 25%

• Provides holistic customer service through walk-in appointments, phone appointments, virtual meetings, email, and Salesforce cases.
• Counsels students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, cost of attendance, debt management, and financial aid policies.
• Assists students with completion and submission of financial aid documentation.
• Analyzes financial and academic information using federal, state, donor, and institutional guidelines to determine aid eligibility.
• Investigates and independently resolves complex student account issues.
• Utilizes internal and external systems including PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, MS Teams, COD, and NSLDS.
• Assists in testing system upgrades, enhancements, and data processing while identifying opportunities for improved system functionality.

Support Client Services Priorities - 20%

• Exercises advanced professional judgment when processing SAP, contribution, and budget appeals in accordance with Department of Education regulations and institutional policy.
• Educates students on the appeal process and communicates appeal decisions.

Support Department & Division Priorities - 10%

• Identifies and communicates emerging issues and trends impacting financial aid operations and recommends solutions to management.
• Serves as a resource for cross-training and knowledge sharing within the department.
• Leads or participates in departmental special projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance Financial Aid objectives.
• Assists with Orientation, Discover NAU, and outreach activities. Fosters a collaborative and continuous improvement work environment.

Other - 5%

• Serves on university committees as assigned.
• May require evening and weekend work or travel. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of relevant experience
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3 years of relevant experience
• Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a financial aid office and administering federal, state, and institutional aid.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently.
• Demonstrated organization skills including skills in coordinating projects, evaluating data and
  establishing priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and ability to work with a diverse student, staff, and faculty
  population.
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt to change.
• Proficient in use of PeopleSoft Student Administration software, as well as working knowledge of
  Salesforce case management and OnBase document imaging.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of government rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to financial aid.
• Knowledge of higher education law, including FERPA, Title IX, HIPAA, etc.

Skills

• Skills in prioritizing and completing multiple tasks of varying complexity and urgency in a timely and efficient manner.
• Customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Abilities

• Works with confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively, including the ability to present to small and large groups.
• Possesses problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Compensation

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

Salary range is $38,628-$48,285. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior

Salary range is $44,422-$55,527. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at View phone number on us.fitly.work or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at View phone number on us.fitly.work, View email address on us.fitly.work, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.