Financial Aid Advisor I

Job Title

Financial Aid Advisor I

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Scholarships And Financial Aid

Proposed Minimum Salary

$16.04 hourly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are  

The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs:  grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assist students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.

What we want

Scholarships & Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor I to coordinate and process federal and state military education benefits information for currently enrolled and prospective students. The ideal candidate will quickly and accurately learn to review and enter military education documentation, and reconcile programs, ensuring appropriate Federal and State compliance.  The ideal candidate must have the ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation.  The ideal candidate will learn to advise current and prospective military affiliated students and their families in regards to military education benefits, scholarships, and financial aid.   We are looking for a detail-oriented, well-organized, process-minded individual who is passionate about providing excellent service while assisting students and families with their financial needs. If this description appeals to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

Hourly: $20.19

Cover Letter & Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.  Special Note: Some evening and weekend work may be required

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• No experience required.

Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation.

• Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs.

• Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

• Must be literate in the English language and able to comprehend, give and follow both written and verbal instructions.

• Ability to organize and make decisions.

• Ability to relate well with a student population.

• Ability to work well under pressure.

• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with all customers.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Social Science, Education, Business, or related field.

• Master’s degree in Student Affairs, Counseling, Higher Education, Business, or related field.

• One or more years of experience in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student services, or related experience.

• Experience in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students.

• Some experience in planning, organizing, or in higher education.

• Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office. Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems.

• Bilingual in Spanish.

• Knowledge of financial aid and/or military benefits counseling, verification, rules, and regulations. Ability to develop and make presentations.

• Knowledge and experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention.

Essential Duties/Tasks

• PROCESSING VA DOCUMENTATION – Learns to certify Veteran Affairs(VA) requests, reviewing submitted VA documentation for completion and notifying students if there are discrepancies, missing information, or incomplete documentation. Learns to track missing/incomplete documentation in Compass. Learns to process VA certifications in the applicable databases for eligible applicants. Learns to review payment rosters. Learns to reconcile VA payments with third party contracts. Learns to use discretion to respond to various questions related to federal military education benefits. Works with the Team and supervisor to resolve discrepancies or other problems.

• PROCESSING HAZLEWOOD EXEMPTION DOCUMENTATION – Learns to certify Hazelwood Exemption requests, reviewing submitted Hazelwood documentation for completion and notifying students if there are discrepancies, missing information, or incomplete documentation. Learns to track missing/incomplete documentation in Compass. Learns to assess applicant eligibility for the Hazelwood Exemption. Learns to process Hazelwood certifications in the applicable databases for eligible applicants. Learns to report Hazelwood exemptions to the Texas Veterans Commission. Uses discretion to respond to various questions related to state military education benefits. Works with the Team and supervisor to resolve discrepancies or other problems.

• MILITARY BENEFIT ADVISING AND PRESENTING – Learns to advise students and families in regards to military education benefits in person, via telephone, and via email, as well as resource tables. Learns to provide guidance to students in regards to Tutoring Reimbursement, Primary Institution Letters, and other benefit documentation. Learns to assist Aggie One Stop staff and respond to AOS tickets.

• SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID KNOWLEDGE – Learns to interpret and maintain knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to financial aid, work study, and scholarships.

• TRAINING – Attends weekly office training and other related workshops. May participate in and lead office work groups. May attend local, state, and national workshops, and conferences, and host and present at various workshops. Travel may be required.

• Other Requirements and Factors – Some evening and weekend work, as well as travel, is required. Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 – Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good in standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Department of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.

Why Texas A&M University? 

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.