Financial Aid Advisor

NMSU Conference Services; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces seeks a Financial Aid Advisor to guide students through federal, state and institutional aid options. You will review FAFSA applications, verify documents, package and adjust awards, and serve as the primary contact for financial aid questions.

Responsibilities include advising diverse student populations, communicating award letters, and ensuring FERPA compliance while staying current with Title IV regulations. Strong customer service required.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree plus 2 years relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.
• Bachelor's degree preferred for the role.

Responsibilities

• Provides support and guidance as the student’s single point of contact for all financial aid matters (federal grants, loans, work study, scholarships).
• Reviews FAFSA for accuracy and eligibility; packages and adjusts awards as needed.
• Advices diverse student populations, communicates award letters, and ensures FERPA compliance.
• Maintains student financial aid records in SIS and generates reports on aid distribution and SAP evaluations.
• Stays current with federal/state regulations (Title IV, SAP) and oversees SAP evaluations and appeals.

Education

Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Position Details

• 503963
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Sep 18 2026 - 23:55 MDT

View favorites

Department Contact: Maria Hernandez, 575-646-7598, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services department is seeking a highly motivated student centered individual with excellent customer service skills to join the Financial Aid Team.

Position Details

Position Title: Financial Aid Advisor

College/Division: Student Enrollment and Success

Department: 521040-UNIV FIN AID & SCHOLARSHIP SVCS

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 43,908.80

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Provides support and guidance as a student's single point of contact for all matters related to financial aid opportunities, including but not limited to federal grants, loans, work study, and state, institutional and private scholarships. Follows federal and state regulations and NMSU policies and procedures in the review and analysis of financial aid applications. Acts as an advisor to students, potential students and families, enforces regulations and policies, serves on appeal committee, creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends solutions on how to improve their status. Effectively presents federal, state and scholarship aid information to individuals, small and large groups. Leads policy research, implementation, documentation, and training for entire NMSU-system.

Financial Aid Advising and Counseling: Provide personalized, one-on-one advising to students, prospective students, and families on financial aid options, eligibility, and application processes. Assist students in understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI), Cost of Attendance (COA), and their financial need calculations. Guide students through the financial aid process, including advising on specialized programs like MAP, study abroad, and consortium agreements. Support students facing financial or personal hardships through appeals, professional judgement requests, and financial hardship counseling. Offer specialized advising to diverse student populations, including veterans, undocumented students, graduate students, and independent students. Respond to inquires via email, phone, and in-person meetings, providing updates on financial aid status and clarifying award letters and disbursement schedules.

Applicant processing and Award Packaging: Review and analyze FAFSA applications for accuracy, completeness, and eligibility. Collect and verify documentation for federal and institutional verification processes. Package and award financial aid according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines, ensuring that changes in student enrollment or status are reflected in aid packages. Adjust financial aid awards based on changes in funding, enrollment, or following successful appeals or professional judgment requests.

Data Records Management: Ensure the accurate entry, maintenance, and updating of student financial aid records in the student information system (e.g., NSLDS, COD). Maintain electronic financial aid files and ensure FERPA compliance in all data handling and storage. Conduct data analysis and generate reports on financial aid distribution, trends, and SAP evaluations.

Regulatory Compliance and Policy Oversight: Stay up-to-date with federal and state financial aid regulations (e.g., Title IV, SAP) and interpret any changes or updates to these regulations. Monitor and manage Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) evaluations and oversee the SAP appeal process, including creating academic plans for approval appeals. Develop, implement, and review internal financial aid procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Ensure the university's adherence to federal, state, and institutional policies related to financial aid and scholarships.

Outreach, Training and Presentations: Represent the university at community and high school outreach events to educate prospective students and families about financial aid options. Present financial aid information at student orientations, workshops, and training sessions for staff and other departments. Collaborate with other departments, including admissions, registrar, and academic affairs, to support student retention and success. Create and deliver training materials and financial aid resources for both internal staff and external partners. Stay current with best practices in financial aid advising and participate in ongoing professional development. Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the official document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request