Financial Aid Advisor (Data Research)

St.-John; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St.-John College seeks a Financial Aid Advisor – Research and Data to support the Office of Student Financial Services by managing reporting, compliance, and data analysis, while counseling students. The role reports to the Director for Student Financial Services and supports operations, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.

The ideal candidate will generate and analyze aid reports, assist with IPEDS/HEGIS/FISAP submissions, collaborate on external surveys, and provide excellent

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Generate and analyze weekly, monthly, and annual financial aid reports
• Assist with federal/state reports (IPEDS, HEGIS, FISAP)
• Collaborate with Institutional Data for external surveys (Common Data Set, U.S. News)
• Respond to internal/external data requests from leadership
• Run and maintain weekly audit reports and improve internal controls
• Review federal verification cases for Title IV compliance
• Provide financial aid counseling to students and families
• Resolve issues related to eligibility and student accounts
• Deliver high-quality customer service to diverse populations
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director for Student Financial Services

Skills

Data analysis

Reporting

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Banner

PeopleSoft

Ellucian Banner

Job description

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.

• 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

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.