Financial Aid Advisor

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor to provide outstanding service to students, parents, faculty, staff, and the public through in-person, phone, and email advising. The role supports programs in areas such as Satisfactory Academic Progress, Professional Judgments, and FAFSA completion.

Duties include determining eligibility for financial aid, resolving student issues, processing awards, and leading outreach events.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or experience in a student or customer facing position.
• Proficiency providing high-level customer service on the phone, in person, and digitally.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing tasks.
• Strong listening and communication skills; writing with clarity, grammar, and tone.
• Experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Advise students, parents, faculty, staff and the public via in-person, phone, and email.
• Assist in determining eligibility for financial aid and processing awards.
• Support FAFSA completion efforts and outreach events.
• Lead or participate in program areas such as SAP, PJ, and Education Abroad.
• Occasional evening and weekend work; some blackout vacation days during peak processing times.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Public speaking

Writing

Office software

Multitasking

Diversity awareness

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

The Financial Aid Advisor provides outstanding customer service to students, parents, faculty, staff, and the public through in-person, phone, and email advising. This position is responsible for program management support in assigned areas of responsibilities as needed (e.g., Satisfactory Academic Progress, Professional Judgments, Outreach and Communication, and Education Abroad, etc.) The advisor assists in determining eligibility for financial aid, resolving student eligibility issues, processing awards, reviewing and processing professional judgment appeals, supporting FAFSA completion efforts, and leading/participating in outreach events. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work. There will also be some blackout vacation days during peak processing times. This is a full-time calendar year restricted position. There is no presumption of renewal for this appointment. Continuation of this appointment, even during the year, is subject to the availability of funds, the need for services, and satisfactory performance.

Required Qualifications

This position requires a customer-focused person who works cooperatively, adapts easily and quickly, accepts responsibility, ensures a high level of accuracy with attention to detail, and thrives in a high-volume environment. Commitment to student access and success is a must. Knowledge and skill requirements include: associate degree or experience in a student or customer facing position; demonstrated proficiency providing high-level customer service on the phone, in person, and digitally; ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing tasks; strong listening and communication skills; strong proficiency in writing with attention to clarity, grammar, and tone; public speaking and presentation skills; demonstrated proficiency with standard office software; ability to exercise sound judgment in making difficult decisions; experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college/university financial aid office.
• Spanish language proficiency.
• Customer service experience.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience, a budget max of $45,739

Hours per week

40

Review Date

August 28, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Devin Henry at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.