Overview
Job Purpose
The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for counseling students/prospective students and families on financial aid processes, requirements, and aid eligibility to support the Student Debt Intervention and Financial Aid Literacy goals of the University. The advisor independently prepares events, webinars, student financial aid guides, and resources to address Financial Literacy initiatives. The Financial Aid Advisor will work closely with the Manager of Financial Aid. Note
This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Conducts financial aid appointments, assists students with financial aid application, financial aid literacy training/counseling, and counsels/advises students and parents regarding available financial aid programs and resources. Aims to create debt management plans so students are prepared to cover the cost of attending college. Provides financial aid advisement services in person, by phone, by email, and in virtual meetings using Zoom. Collaborates with University departments to support student debt intervention initiatives and ensure students are well informed on paying for college, financial literacy, and reducing debt at the end of a semester. Contributes to the awarding process of Pell Grants and Scholarships, including verifying and reviewing student files for packaging. Maintains commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the University and serves as a Veterans Affairs (VA) School Certifying Official for all student veterans. Responds to questions about the VA benefits process and provides related admissions and registration assistance regarding all academic programs, degree requirements, placement testing, transfer, and student activities. Establishes a regular, visible presence at each campus or center as determined by VA student enrollment. Develops, expands, and implements early financial literacy and money management education and awareness for students, including a student guide focusing on “how to pay for college” (manual and virtual guides). Teaches students about debt and its short- and long-term impacts. Builds virtual Financial Management Modules to help students manage money and develop/follow a financial plan. Works with internal departments and outside organizations to address financial literacy needs. Develops a comprehensive Financial Literacy Program to meet Federal, State, Institutional, Departmental, and Grant Program standards. Supports the University's digital transformation goals by improving online services and programs offered to students. Works to create partnerships that reduce student debt. Assists in the development and delivery of financial aid program procedures, counseling, workshops/seminars/training sessions, and monitoring aid programs for compliance with federal aid regulations and policies. Performs data analysis to identify discrepancies and determine resolutions; maintains accurate student financial aid record keeping; compiles reports as required by funding agencies and provides weekly updates. Participates in the annual audit of student records and in annual compliance audits (Tribal, Federal, and State). Provides financial aid information and services to students, parents, staff, and faculty through multiple communication methods; responds to the academic calendar of financial aid activities to ensure deadlines are met; maintains FERPA confidentiality. Assesses the effectiveness of financial literacy initiatives and maintains open communication with the Financial Aid Manager. Provides reports to assess the effectiveness of Financial Aid literacy programs, impact on student debt, and related grant reporting requirements. Prepares expense reports on an annual basis. Performs need analysis according to federal Title IV methodology, reviews and verifies applications, and completes packaging of awards for eligible applications; revises awards to reflect changes in eligibility or budget; exercises professional judgment for documented special circumstances. Maintains proactive contact with students and creates solutions to potential setbacks affecting student retention; works collaboratively with other departments to resolve issues. Participates in development, implementation, documentation, and training of departmental procedures; awards scholarship funding including endowments, current use funding, and state allocations while preserving the intent of each agreement, regulation, or statute. Provides ongoing specialized functions such as Federal Regulatory Compliance Monitoring or Scholarship Coordination. Acts as a single point of contact for students regarding financial aid opportunities, including federal grants, loans, work-study, and state/institutional/private scholarships; follows federal and state regulations and university policies in reviewing financial aid applications. Advises students, prospective students, and families; participates on appeal committees; creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends improvement actions. Effectively presents federal, state, and scholarship aid information to individuals and groups. Performs other duties as assigned for the department’s success by the Financial Aid Manager.
Supervision
N/A
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Education, or Social Science. At least one year of work experience in Student Financial Aid or a related field in higher education. Certified as a Veterans Affairs (VA) School Certifying Official. Valid and clean state driver’s license. Must pass a background check with no prior felonies and no history of child abuse or neglect.
Preferred Qualifications
A Master’s Degree is preferred in Business Administration, Education, or Social Science.
The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position.
Knowledge, Skill, And Ability Requirements
Knowledge of Federal Work-Study or State Work-Study experience in financial aid is a plus. Knowledge and compliance with federal, state, and tribal financial aid programs; experience with corresponding laws. Experience processing student financial aid through a relational database system. Experience with PowerFAIDS or equivalent software. Experience in presentations, webinars, or digital resources in Financial Literacy. Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong project management and organizational abilities. Strong written and verbal communication, active listening, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively in teams and provide excellent customer service. Ability to analyze data, prioritize information, and manage multiple projects with accuracy. Ability to communicate clearly by phone and in person; maintain confidentiality. Ability to communicate in Navajo and English; demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, and desire to help others.
Physical Demands
Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, and squatting. Dexterity, repeated hand movements; normal auditory and visual capabilities; verbal communication skills. Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment
Office environment with potential travel to other campuses; conferences and training out-of-state may be required. Tight deadlines and multiple demands; evening/weekend hours may be required; extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.
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Job Purpose
The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for counseling students/prospective students and families on financial aid processes, requirements, and aid eligibility to support the Student Debt Intervention and Financial Aid Literacy goals of the University. The advisor independently prepares events, webinars, student financial aid guides, and resources to address Financial Literacy initiatives. The Financial Aid Advisor will work closely with the Manager of Financial Aid. Note
This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required or assigned to this position.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Conducts financial aid appointments, assists students with financial aid application, financial aid literacy training/counseling, and counsels/advises students and parents regarding available financial aid programs and resources. Aims to create debt management plans so students are prepared to cover the cost of attending college. Provides financial aid advisement services in person, by phone, by email, and in virtual meetings using Zoom. Collaborates with University departments to support student debt intervention initiatives and ensure students are well informed on paying for college, financial literacy, and reducing debt at the end of a semester. Contributes to the awarding process of Pell Grants and Scholarships, including verifying and reviewing student files for packaging. Maintains commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the University and serves as a Veterans Affairs (VA) School Certifying Official for all student veterans. Responds to questions about the VA benefits process and provides related admissions and registration assistance regarding all academic programs, degree requirements, placement testing, transfer, and student activities. Establishes a regular, visible presence at each campus or center as determined by VA student enrollment. Develops, expands, and implements early financial literacy and money management education and awareness for students, including a student guide focusing on “how to pay for college” (manual and virtual guides). Teaches students about debt and its short- and long-term impacts. Builds virtual Financial Management Modules to help students manage money and develop/follow a financial plan. Works with internal departments and outside organizations to address financial literacy needs. Develops a comprehensive Financial Literacy Program to meet Federal, State, Institutional, Departmental, and Grant Program standards. Supports the University's digital transformation goals by improving online services and programs offered to students. Works to create partnerships that reduce student debt. Assists in the development and delivery of financial aid program procedures, counseling, workshops/seminars/training sessions, and monitoring aid programs for compliance with federal aid regulations and policies. Performs data analysis to identify discrepancies and determine resolutions; maintains accurate student financial aid record keeping; compiles reports as required by funding agencies and provides weekly updates. Participates in the annual audit of student records and in annual compliance audits (Tribal, Federal, and State). Provides financial aid information and services to students, parents, staff, and faculty through multiple communication methods; responds to the academic calendar of financial aid activities to ensure deadlines are met; maintains FERPA confidentiality. Assesses the effectiveness of financial literacy initiatives and maintains open communication with the Financial Aid Manager. Provides reports to assess the effectiveness of Financial Aid literacy programs, impact on student debt, and related grant reporting requirements. Prepares expense reports on an annual basis. Performs need analysis according to federal Title IV methodology, reviews and verifies applications, and completes packaging of awards for eligible applications; revises awards to reflect changes in eligibility or budget; exercises professional judgment for documented special circumstances. Maintains proactive contact with students and creates solutions to potential setbacks affecting student retention; works collaboratively with other departments to resolve issues. Participates in development, implementation, documentation, and training of departmental procedures; awards scholarship funding including endowments, current use funding, and state allocations while preserving the intent of each agreement, regulation, or statute. Provides ongoing specialized functions such as Federal Regulatory Compliance Monitoring or Scholarship Coordination. Acts as a single point of contact for students regarding financial aid opportunities, including federal grants, loans, work-study, and state/institutional/private scholarships; follows federal and state regulations and university policies in reviewing financial aid applications. Advises students, prospective students, and families; participates on appeal committees; creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends improvement actions. Effectively presents federal, state, and scholarship aid information to individuals and groups. Performs other duties as assigned for the department’s success by the Financial Aid Manager.
Supervision
N/A
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Education, or Social Science. At least one year of work experience in Student Financial Aid or a related field in higher education. Certified as a Veterans Affairs (VA) School Certifying Official. Valid and clean state driver’s license. Must pass a background check with no prior felonies and no history of child abuse or neglect.
Preferred Qualifications
A Master’s Degree is preferred in Business Administration, Education, or Social Science.
The Navajo Nation Preference in Employment Act applies to all hiring, promotions or transfers of individuals into this position.
Knowledge, Skill, And Ability Requirements
Knowledge of Federal Work-Study or State Work-Study experience in financial aid is a plus. Knowledge and compliance with federal, state, and tribal financial aid programs; experience with corresponding laws. Experience processing student financial aid through a relational database system. Experience with PowerFAIDS or equivalent software. Experience in presentations, webinars, or digital resources in Financial Literacy. Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong project management and organizational abilities. Strong written and verbal communication, active listening, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively in teams and provide excellent customer service. Ability to analyze data, prioritize information, and manage multiple projects with accuracy. Ability to communicate clearly by phone and in person; maintain confidentiality. Ability to communicate in Navajo and English; demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, and desire to help others.
Physical Demands
Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, and squatting. Dexterity, repeated hand movements; normal auditory and visual capabilities; verbal communication skills. Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment
Office environment with potential travel to other campuses; conferences and training out-of-state may be required. Tight deadlines and multiple demands; evening/weekend hours may be required; extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.
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