Financial Aid Advisor

Rock Valley College; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor to provide excellent service to students applying for financial aid. You will counsel students and families on funding sources, manage the paperwork intake, and maintain student files.

You will review and correct financial aid files, run award letters, and ensure compliance with federal/state regulations while collaborating with Advisors and staff.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Two or more years of experience in a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Experience with Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to students, families, and the college community.
• Counsel students and families regarding federal and state financial aid programs.
• Assist students with FAFSA and verification document completion.
• Evaluate special circumstances and make recommendations within guidelines.
• Train and advise Financial Aid Office student employees and coordinate with Academic Advisors.
• Prepare and maintain student files using imaging software; review FAFSA and documents for accuracy.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Position Title:

Financial Aid Advisor

Department:

Financial Aid (FIA)

Division:

Enrollment Services (ENS)

Employee Status:

Full-time

Type:

Support Staff Association (SSA-Union)

Grade:

10 ($21.32 hourly)

FLSA:

Non-exempt

Business Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8am - 6pm Fridays 8am-5pm (May be required to work some evenings and weekends)

Issued:

July 2015

Revised:

6-15; 7-16, 3-23, 10-23, 7-24, 7-25, 10-26

Employment Notice:

Rock Valley College does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visas for this position now or in the future. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Application Deadline:

October 18th, 2026

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Supervision is received from the Program Manager of Financial Aid.

Supervision Exercised:

Functional supervision is exercised over student workers.

Job Summary

Offer excellent customer service to students applying for financial aid. Counsel students and families on sources of educational funding; manage the paperwork intake process and student file maintenance including scanning and updating Colleague. Review and correct financial aid files when needed. Run award letters, adjust bookstore limits and maintain the developmental class rosters. Know and apply federal, state, and college procedures and policies in the processing of student applications for financial aid while maintaining the confidentiality of student information.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to students, their families and to the RVC community


• Counsel students and families regarding the benefits and requirements of federal and state financial aid programs


• Assist students and families with FAFSA and required verification and appeal document completion.


• Evaluate special and unusual circumstances and make sound recommendations to students using good judgment within established guidelines.


• Lead, train and advise Financial Aid Office student employees as it relates to student service and service counter responsibilities.


• Collaborate with Academic Advisors as part of a support team for students.


• Prepare and maintain student's files using imaging software.


• Interpret financial statements, income tax reports, and related documents as related to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)


• Review FAFSAs, applications, and required documents for accuracy and completeness.


• Complete the verification process within federal regulations. Obtain additional documents and accurately record updates and changes in Colleague.


• Monitor changes to FAFSA the students' financial aid application information and enter corrections with the federal database as needed


• Receive, review, analyze and process student applications for additional types of financial aid in accordance with state, federal, and College guidelines


• Navigate the State of Illinois GAP Access site to determine student state award eligibility


• Track student communication through current CRM software and assist with student communication improvement


• Complete cross learning with assigned Coordinator and/or Program Manager


• Assist with outreach and community events such as FAFSA workshops, Veteran's Day and Financial Aid Information sessions.


• Responsible for student correspondence and follow up including email, phone calls, and web page maintenance


• Maintain the developmental class list and student notification as necessary


• Maintain inventory and stock display racks with financial aid brochures, pamphlets and forms


• Assist in the review and update of annual internal forms and letters


• Maintain up to date knowledge of financial aid program parameters and regulations in completing forms and understanding available sources of assistance


• Maintain confidentiality of student records according to FERPA regulations


• Other related duties as assigned


• Regular attendance is expected.


• Using tact and courtesy, the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty accurately and satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred. Two or more years of experience in a related field with a proven track record of assisting a diverse population. Experience with working within guidelines, rules and regulations preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience working with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting.