Financial Aid Advisor

University of Arkansas•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Financial Aid Advisor works in a team environment to administer institutional, state, federal, and private financial aid to UA Little Rock students in compliance with institutional policies, state law, and federal regulations/law. This position requires an aptitude for analysis, attention to detail, and expert communication skills. The Financial Aid Advisor provides exceptional customer service to UA Little Rock students, potential students, parents, faculty, and staff. The Financial Aid Advisor must be able to interpret policy, law, and regulation, and assess its distinct, detailed applicability to each circumstance. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Knowledge of institutional, state, and federal financial aid policies, regulations, and law
Knowledge of computers and ability to accurately use software applications
Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations with administrative capability
Understanding of Arkansas state financial aid programs, rules, and regulations
Ability to effectively communicate by listening to the customer (student, parent, faculty, staff, or other), hearing the need(s), and formulating a response within the interpretation of federal regulations, state law, and institutional policy
Provide accurate assistance and correctly interpret financial aid policy, regulations, and/or law and guide the individual to other departments or resources for further assistance as needed
Eligible to gain access to and understand how to navigate financial aid administrator websites and resources to assist with the administration of financial aid
Ability to effectively communicate in writing with correct grammar and accurate, detailed information
Ability to recognize that the student is the most important person on campus, not an interruption of our work, but the reason for it
Ability to maintain focus during peak work demands and support colleagues in a team environment
Ability to work together with a team serving a diverse student population
Ability to exhibit strong organizational skills
Ability to work flexible hours to provide presentations as needed and/or attend professional development activities
Must be self-motivated, creative, customer service-focused, and detail-oriented
Candidates cannot have any federal student loans in default status or owe a federal grant repayment due to an over-award

Nice To Haves

P revious financial aid experience

Responsibilities

Work with a team of Financial Aid Advisors to provide customer service to students seeking financial assistance
Process all documents and requests from students and agencies to ensure the timely delivery of financial aid to the student body at UA L ittle R ock
Interpret policies and procedures and articulate ne cessary information to students, parents, staff, faculty, and others while providing guidance through all processes from application t o payment
Pay attenti on to detail when interpreting questions, entering data, seeking assistance from colleagues, and providing answers and information while assisting a prospective student with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or performing complex verification of a student's financial aid file
Respect student privacy and adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations
Familiar with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and amendments that authorize the administration of federal financial aid and interpret regulations in reviewing documents received and counseling students
Working knowledge of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and applying an understanding of regulations to federal student aid compliance
Regularly attend professional development training in order to stay informed of changes to federal and state aid programs and apply knowledge in support of UA Little Rock's administrative capability to administer financial aid
Exercise professional judgment, document rationale, and support evidence of decisions under 34 CFR of the Higher Education Act of 1965
Analyze information on various U.S. Department of Education databases to assist with problem resolution for students
Analyze various system-generated reports to verify the eligibility of students receiving aid under federal regulations, state law, and institutional policy, and then communicate effectively with students to explain eligibility and alternatives to amend situations of changed eligibility
Work flexible hours as needed 1) during peak work demands, 2) in order to provide financial aid presentations, and/or 3) to attend professional development activities
Work with students who have experienced a significant change in financial circumstances to determine the eligibility of a professional judgment
Walk students through the professional judgment process
Collect and review documents submitted for students' professional judgment requests
Exercise professional judgment to determine whether adjustments should be made to student financial aid applications
Update Banner accurately after approval of professional judgment requests
Prepare and lead dynamic and informative financial aid presentations to the campus, within the local community, and the state in support of access, affordability, and accountability (presentations may be off-campus and outside regular business hours)
Subscribe to federal updates for review of the Federal Register, Dear Colleague Letters, electronic announcements, and other sources of information to stay informed and immediately apply knowledge to daily responsibilities
Perform other duties as assigned