Financial Aid Advisor

Colorado Community College System (CCCS); Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

Health, Dental & Vision

PERA retirement

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid holidays

Job summary

Pikes Peak State College is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor to provide thorough counseling, process FAFSA, and manage financial aid communications. Located at the Centennial Campus with potential travel to other campuses and remote work as needed.

The role requires knowledge of federal/state aid programs, ability to assist with FAFSAs, verification, and outreach. A bachelor or associate with relevant experience is required; benefits include generous leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement

Qualifications

• Bachelor or associate degree with relevant higher education experience.
• Experience advising students on aid programs and scholarship options.
• Knowledge of FAFSA, verification, and SAP requirements.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate financial aid counseling in person or remotely.
• Process FAFSA applications and communicate with students.
• Resolve issues due to miscommunication between students and staff.
• Oversee FAFSA verification in compliance with federal rules.
• Present at FAFSA Nights and campus outreach events.

Skills

Excellent customer service

Financial aid knowledge

Multitasking

Student communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or associate's with relevant experience

Tools

BANNER INB

FAFSA processing software

Job description

Title: Financial Aid Advisor

Position Type: Professional Tech Full time

College: Pikes Peak State College

Location: Colorado Springs

Salary Range:$50,891 annual gross

Who We Are:

Pikes Peak State College is the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region, serving students with a wide range of goals, experiences, and responsibilities. Our students include recent high school graduates, working adults, military-affiliated students, parents, first-generation students, career changers, transfer students, and lifelong learners.

Our mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs. We fulfill that mission by creating affordable, flexible, and accessible pathways that help students transfer to four-year institutions, enter the workforce, advance their careers, and build better futures close to home.

As the needs of our students, employers, and communities continue to evolve, so do we. PPSC embraces innovation that is human-centered, ethical, and focused on student learning. Through strong workforce partnerships and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, we prepare students not only for today's opportunities, but for what's next.

We're looking for people who are passionate about access, collaboration, innovation, and student success. Whether you work in the classroom or behind the scenes, your contributions help create opportunities that change lives. At PPSC, our vision is simple: Students Succeed at PPSC.

Job Summary:

This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity and is exempt from the State Classified Personnel System. Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.

The Financial Aid Advisor provides thorough and accurate financial aid counseling, financial aid processing of FAFSA files, and managing all financial aid communications to students regarding their financial aid.

Must be available to work during peak periods based on job responsibilities and college calendars. This position is located at the Centennial Campus, but may require travel to the Downtown Studio, and Rampart Range Campuses, based upon department needs. This position may also require employee to be available to work remotely as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Financial Aid Advising

• Provide excellent financial aid advising in person, or remotely on the phone, or via the financial aid email drive from which you are responsible for answering emails.
• Provide information and advise students, both prospective and current, about financial aid processes and applications, scholarships, eligibility requirements, student rights and responsibilities, etc.
• Resolve issues that arise as a result of miscommunication or misunderstanding on the part of students, parents and other campus staff as relates to the financial aid process.
• Explain and interpret financial aid procedures and regulations to staff members in order to assist them in their understanding of all student financial aid packages.
• Act as a first point of contact for the front counter staff regarding any financial aid customer service needs.
• Utilize financial aid expertise in order to perform Professional Judgments and Independent Overrides on a student-by-student basis to override normal situations that students report on their FAFSA.
• Ensuring accuracy of all information given, all documentation taken in, and all data-entry processes.
• Indexing financial aid documentation in BDM.
• Critically think about processes in order to make more effective, streamlined procedures.
• Participate in FAFSA Nights at local high schools as well as provide presentations to current and future college students regarding financial aid, student loans, and basic money management skills.
• Process financial aid verification of student files per federal regulations.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Communications and Outreach

• Implement a proactive approach for student outreach regarding their financial aid processes.
• Professionally communicate with students regarding missing documents and its effect on their financial aid.
• Perform strategic outreach to ensure student response and timely submission of financial aid documents.
• Maintain constant and consistent follow-up and with students to complete financial aid files and award students their financial aid.

Competencies/KSAs:

• Maintain expert knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies regarding all types of financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Colorado Student Grant, Stafford Loans, Work-Study, etc.).
• Resolve data integrity issues and discrepancies within the system.
• Requires face-to-face or remote contact with a diverse population of students.
• Advise students of the various aspects of financial aid (i.e., application procedures, verification documentation, scholarship and grant guidelines, federal and private loan conditions, Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, etc.).
• Assist students with completion of FAFSAs and required documentation to be awarded financial aid both in-person and remotely.
• Explain financial aid processes, awards, and provide financial aid guidance via email, telephone, in-person meetings or remotely, and presentations/FAFSA nights.
• Perform Professional Judgments for students who have special circumstances in regard to their income and dependency status.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience are required.
• Ability to multi-task is critical.
• Cross-train team members on specialty areas of duty.
• Ability to navigate differences effectively and respectfully in the workplace.
• Adhere to college policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completed Bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution OR completed Associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution with two year of professional level experience in higher education student services (i.e. Admissions, Enrollment Services, Records, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, etc.) OR four years of professional level experience in accounting/finance, computer technology/software.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge. Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or more years of professional level experience in higher education student services (i.e. Admissions, Enrollment Services, Records, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, etc.)
• Professional level experience in Financial Aid
• Banner INB software experience or similar software experience.
• Demonstrated experience with federal, state, and institutional policies regarding financial aid.
• Demonstrated experience providing financial aid information and financial aid counseling to students.
• Demonstrated experience with computer software such as BANNER, Microsoft Office, EdConnect, etc.
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluent Spanish

Selection Process:

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. MST on October 29, 2026.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Work Life Balance

Pikes Peak State College offers a generous amount of annual leave and sick leave. Depending on your employment category and full or part-time status, Pikes Peak State College offers 15 hours a month of annual leave and 10 hours a month of sick leave accrual. There are paid holidays and alternate paid holidays which allow the college to be closed Christmas Day through New Year's Day.

Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Tuition Reimbursement

Education and your success are a priority at Pikes Peak State College. We encourage you to develop job skills and abilities which will benefit you as well as our college. Eligible employees, their eligible dependents, and spouse/domestic partners may enroll in credit courses at any of the Colorado Community College System.

Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Health, Dental & Vision

Pikes Peak State College offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide you and eligible dependents, spouse/domestic partner, with a broad range of employer paid and employee paid benefit options. In addition to medical coverage, the college offers dental and vision insurance plans to choose from.

Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Retirement

Pikes Peak State College participates in Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates. State employees are required to a mandatory contribution of a percentage of their salary to the plan, and the college contributes a percentage as well. While you are enrolled in PERA, you do not pay Social Security. In addition, there are supplemental retirement plans available through three other vendors.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) offer you an easy way to pay for eligible medical and childcare expenses with money that's set aside with a pre-tax benefit. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Disability Coverage

Pikes Peak State College offers disability insurance to help you meet needs should you become unable to work due to an illness or injury.

Life Insurance

Pikes Peak State College offers life insurance paid for by the college to eligible employees. Supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies are available for those interested in additional coverage.

Additional Leave Programs

Pikes Peak State College offers additional leave programs such as bereavement leave, jury leave, community and parental academic leave, Family and Medical Leave (FML), and Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).