Financial Aid Advisor

American Public University System; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

American Public University System, including American Military University, is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor to provide phone-based financial aid support and counseling to students in a call center environment. You will educate students on Federal Student Aid and ensure accurate packaging of funding to enable course access and degree completion.

The role emphasizes strong customer service, adherence to policies, and collaboration with other departments to support student success.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of demonstrated customer service experience.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
• Associate's degree required.
• Solutions oriented attitude with demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands with minimal supervision.
• High level of telephone etiquette and professionalism.
• Basic math skills.
• General proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook & Teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inbound phone-based discussions, advising and educating students on various forms of Federal Student Aid.
• Provide a high level of customer service, ensuring the student is packaged with funding to access courses and pursue degree completion.
• Actively engages in problem solving and regularly works with basic math skills to review financial aid package information to ensure correct processing.
• Seeks out opportunities to enhance the student experience and promote high-quality service.
• Leverages financial aid and student databases to perform research while on phone calls to assist students and parents through the financial aid cycle in real time.
• Ensures daily duties are met within established Service Level Agreements and remains flexible to daily workflow as a result of staffing and business needs.
• Consistently meets department quality and productivity metrics.
• Collaborates with other University departments including Admissions, Advising & Student Support on an as needed basis.
• Maintains accurate knowledge of the University's products and services.
• Understands and adheres to laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and compliance requirements, staying current on industry standards.
• Maintains eligibility to access the NSLDS, as defined by the US Department of Education.
• Supports and contributes to the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Performs other duties as directed, requested or assigned

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Mathematics

Phone etiquette

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Associate's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Financial Aid Advisor

American Public University/American Military University

The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for providing phone-based financial aid support and counseling services to students attending American Public University or American Military University (APU/AMU). This role functions in a call center type of environment and is heavily focused on providing a high level of customer service. Financial Aid Advisors will spend the majority of their workday engaged in inbound phone-based activities.

Responsibilities

• Conducts inbound phone-based discussions, advising and educating students on various forms of Federal Student Aid
• Provides a high level of customer service, ensuring that the student is packaged with funding to access courses and pursue degree completion
• Actively engages in problem solving and regularly works with basic math skills to review financial aid package information to ensure correct processing.
• Seeks out opportunities to enhance the student experience and promote high-quality service
• Leverages financial aid and student databases to performs research while on phone calls to assist students and parents through the financial aid cycle in real time
• Ensures daily duties are met within established Service Level Agreements and remains flexible to daily workflow as a result of staffing and business needs
• Consistently meets department quality and productivity metrics
• Collaborates with other University departments including Admissions, Advising & Student Support on an as needed basis
• Maintains accurate knowledge of the University's products and services
• Understands and adheres to laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and compliance requirements, staying current on industry standards
• Maintains eligibility to access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS),as defined by the US Department of Education. To maintain access to NSLDS, one must not have defaulted on any student loan in the past, be in default currently or have issues with access to NSLDS in the future
• Supports and contributes to the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Performs other duties as directed, requested or assigned

Requirements / Education

• 1-2 years of demonstrated customer service experience
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills
• Associate's degree required
• Solutions oriented attitude with demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands with minimal supervision
• High level of telephone etiquette and professionalism
• Basic math skills
• General proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook & Teams

Work Schedule

• Schedule will depend on the need at the time of hiring.

About Us

American Public University System (the System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) ( an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits degree-granting institutions nationwide and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The System is comprised of American Military University, American Public University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is authorized by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and other appropriate agencies in the states where it has campuses. The System is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. American Public University System, Inc., which operates the System, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. American Public University System, American Public University, and American Military University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.

It is the policy of American Public University System (APUS) to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons. We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. American Public University System (APUS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request.