Financial Aid Advisor

$45,000 - $50,000/Yr

Washington Adventist University - Takoma Park, MD

Full-time

Takoma Park, MD

Educational Services

About the position

The Financial Aid Advisor position at Washington Adventist University (WAU) is designed to facilitate the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students by assisting them in completing financial aid application processes, determining aid eligibility, and counseling students and families on financing options and payment plans. The ideal candidate will be an independent and organized worker who is self-disciplined and motivated, able to work with minimal supervision under strict deadlines and a heavy workload.

Responsibilities

• Counsels and advises students and parents regarding financial aid and financing options.
• Educates students on budgeting, debt management, and alternative ways to manage expenses associated with a college education.
• Confers with individuals and groups to disseminate information and answer questions relating to financial assistance available to students.
• Consults with students to obtain information needed to determine eligibility for aid.
• Determines student eligibility for financial aid through verification and makes financial aid decisions and awards.
• Responsible for the financial aid processes for students, including verifying and monitoring student files.
• Participates in trainings and conferences.
• Serves as a liaison between financial aid and admissions/recruiting.
• Manages disbursement and reconciliation of the Federal Direct loan and private alternative loan programs.
• Attends recruitment events and conducts financial aid seminars for students and parents.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all activities in the Student Financial Services office.
• Supports and affirms a culture of distinctive excellence and exceptional service.
• Attends university events and required meetings.
• Attends mandatory weekly Convocation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least two years higher education financial aid experience preferred.
• Excellent command of English grammar and spelling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual preferably English/Spanish fluency.
• Exceptional presentation and public speaking ability.
• Basic computational skills using a calculator.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Preference given to candidates with experience using Ellucian Colleague.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to apply logical or scientific methods to a wide range of problems.

Nice-to-haves

• Exhibit leadership skills.
• Possess capacity for planning, organizing, and controlling.
• Advanced skills in team building, motivation, and conflict resolution.
• High energy and a high degree of enthusiasm.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive matters.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel.
• Willingness to rotate work schedule between days and evenings.
• Ability to work some weekend hours.
• Willingness to learn a vast array of systems and websites for financial aid.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a challenging and demanding position.

Benefits

• Salary range: $45,000 - $50,000.
• Continuous recruitment position.