Job Title   : FINANCIAL AID ADVISOR (2122)
Completion Date  : 10/01/2003
Policy Group   : Exempt-Administrators & Professionals
Grade    : 380

PURPOSE:

Developing programs and processes that provide a service to students, and/or other internal College or District customers.

ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT

(+)  Advanced Support Services.  The employee provides direct services to customers or supports others with advanced support services by one or more of the following: - Carrying out investigations, analytic, or diagnostic services that support decision-making or action taken by management or professional staff. - Applying advanced vocational-technical skills to ensure that a function or unit achieves its goals.

DUTIES:*

1. Provide financial aid information and assist students in accurately filling out forms.  Intake and proofread financial aid applications and forms for completeness and accuracy.

2. Verify student financial aid eligibility, enrollment, and academic status using financial aid system (FAS).

3. Answer loan-related questions; certify loan applications; enter completed data in FAS; process/disburse loan checks; verify student loan information in computer.

4. Complete verification procedures on completed financial aid files and offer eligible students appropriate awards following college, state, and federal regulations.

5. Monitor and manage activity for assigned programs (e.g., scholarships, college workstudy, state grants, etc.)

6. Provide guidance to student workers and support staff as needed.

7. Compile data for institutional, fiscal, federal, and state reports on student aid as needed.
 
 
 
 

8. May make presentations to local schools, organizations, and prospective students regarding student financial aid programs and processes.

* Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples necessarily include all of the duties performed.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

In-depth knowledge of student financial aid programs and related regulations; general knowledge of accounting/bookkeeping practices and computerized accounting systems.

Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills; computer and organizational skills.

Must be able to work independently, follow established procedures and regulations, and use discretion and judgment.

JOB EMPOWERMENT

Once given general assignments, the employee determines priorities and defines what should be done and how to do it.  The employee has the ability to change his/her own, or a subordinate's procedures or approaches as appropriate for getting the job done.  Review of the employee's work results is after the fact, usually occurring at the end of a week or longer.

MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE

Accountable for helping others and providing on-the-job training or guidance.

APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

(+)  The primary results expected of the employee are completion of multiple, complex duties at an advanced technical skill level.  The employee completes duties that require careful planning and organizing in order to achieve end results.  This typically requires specialized course training or job experience of about two to four years.

PROBLEM ANALYSIS

The employee deals with issues or problems that often require thoughtful reasoning before coming up with approaches or solutions.  The search for solutions may be accomplished relatively quickly. However, the search may require more study based on standards or approaches defined by management or the proper professional/technical discipline.
 
 

STUDENT/COMMUNITY INTERACTION

The employee works with students or members of the community in situations that require skill in counseling, educating, or convincing others.

CONSTITUENT RELATIONSHIPS

The employee must frequently seek cooperation from, persuade, or influence others.  The employee must develop relationships and persuade others to resolve problems, change people's minds, or directly produce customer satisfaction.  This level usually includes jobs which assign and review work of other employees.  The employee, however, does not have accountability for formal management of others.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED EDUCATION

Minimum: A Bachelor's degree.

Preferred: A Master's degree or equivalent.

Specifically, the position requires a Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Business Administration, or a closely related field.  Significant post-secondary course work in accounting is highly desirable.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum: One to two years.

Preferred: Three to four years.

Specifically, the position requires a minimum of two years of experience in student financial aid counseling or student guidance and counseling.  Three years of financial aid experience is preferred.
 

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Note:  "(+)" indicates that an "intermediate" definition was selected for this factor.  The statement applies to the lower level.
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