Financial Aid Advisor (Data Research)

St. John's University; Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Tuition remission

403(b) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

St. John’s University seeks a Financial Aid Advisor – Research and Data to support the Office of Student Financial Services in reporting, compliance, and data analysis.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making and student counseling with focus on federal/state reporting requirements. This position reports to the Director for Student Financial Services and involves collaboration across departments to ensure accurate data and timely responses to external inquiries, while maintaining high

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; experience in financial aid, higher education administration, or data reporting preferred.
• Experience with federal financial aid programs and compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Generate and analyze weekly, monthly, and annual financial aid reports for enrollment, scholarships, and endowments.
• Prepare and submit federal and state reports (IPEDS, HEGIS, FISAP) with accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with Institutional Data to complete external surveys (Common Data Set, U.S. News, Peterson’s).
• Respond to internal and external data requests from university leadership and external agencies.
• Maintain audit reports, identify discrepancies, and develop new reports to strengthen controls.
• Review federal verification cases for Title IV compliance with detailed documentation.

Skills

Financial aid data reporting

Data analysis

Microsoft Excel

Student Information Systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in higher education administration

Tools

Banner

PeopleSoft

Job description

St. John’s, established in 1870, has two New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship, and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution. Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values needed for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Advisor – Research and Data supports the Office of Student Financial Services by managing financial aid reporting, compliance, and data analysis functions while also providing student counseling. This position reports to the Director for Student Financial Services and is not responsible for direct supervision, but plays a critical role in supporting departmental operations, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.

Job Responsibilities

• Generate and analyze weekly, monthly, and annual financial aid reports related to enrollment, scholarships, and endowments to support institutional planning and monitoring
• Assist in the preparation and submission of federal and state reports, including IPEDS, HEGIS, and FISAP, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Data to complete external surveys and reporting requests, including Common Data Set, U.S. News, and Peterson’s
• Respond to internal and external data requests from university leadership and external agencies
• Run and maintain weekly audit reports, identifying discrepancies and developing new reports as needed to strengthen internal controls
• Review and process federal verification cases, ensuring compliance with Title IV regulations through detailed and accurate documentation review
• Provide financial aid counseling to prospective and enrolled students and families, assisting with financial planning and decision-making
• Assist with problem resolution related to financial aid eligibility, processing, and student accounts
• Deliver high-quality customer service to a diverse population, including students, families, faculty, staff, and external partners
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director for Student Financial Services

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and institutional goals.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Technical / Hard Skills

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations (Title IV)
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools
• Prior experience with student information systems and financial aid systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft, or similar) is preferred
• Ability to manage multiple reporting deadlines

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information
• Ability to provide student-centered service in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position does not require supervisory experience.

Other Duties

This job description is not exhaustive and may include additional responsibilities as assigned. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in financial aid, higher education administration, or data reporting
• Experience with federal financial aid programs and compliance requirements
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Education And Experience

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, business, or related field
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in financial aid or institutional research
• Experience with data reports for external agencies (IPEDS, Common Data Set, etc.)
• Experience with Ellucian Banner
• Prior experience in higher education

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Ability to maintain knowledge of current federal and state regulations
• Must be qualified to access Federal Student Aid system

Supplemental Information

Work Environment

• Professional office environment.
• Role requires routinely uses a computer, standard office equipment such as copiers, phones/voice mail, fax, scanner, printers, etc.
• This individual is routinely exposed to indoor environment with moderate noise level and on occasion may need to work outside.
• The job is an on-campus position but must be prepared to work remotely if needed and must have access to Wi‑Fi, laptop, and a cell phone.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, stand, and move about, to carry work, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, communicate, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the employee include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and all-day use of a computer. Employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Employees routinely work within time constraints and maintain attentiveness intensity. Employees are frequently involved in social interactions that require oral and written communication. Employees are required to hear conversations in moderate noise environments.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Full-time, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Some evening and weekend work required for enrollment events.

Travel

This is an on-campus position and requires daily travel to campus, occasional travel to other locations for presentations and training.

• Important Note- St. John’s is NOT an E-Verify Employer

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. St. John’s University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.