Financial Aid Advisor (Federal Programs)

St. John's University; Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

St. John’s University seeks a Financial Aid Advisor to advance student success by ensuring access to financial resources and delivering personalized guidance across departments. You will manage federal aid processes, including Pell Grants and TEACH Grants, while serving a diverse student population and maintaining excellent service standards.

Reporting to the Sr. Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, you will support verification, packaging, and counseling, ensuring accuracy and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Preferred: Experience with Ellucian Banner.
• Prior experience in higher education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Senior Assistant Director and Senior Associate Director to ensure the federal financial aid process is seamless and student-centered.
• Maintain a working knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and University policies.
• Monitor document management workflows to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
• Assist with the timely processing, reconciliation, and reporting of the Federal Pell Grant program.
• Manage the federal TEACH Grant program, including reconciliation and required reporting.
• Support administration of the University’s Course Program of Study (CPOS) process and related aid impacts.

Skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Prioritization

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Tools

Ellucian Banner

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 plays a critical role in advancing the University’s commitment to Student Success by ensuring access to financial resources, providing personalized guidance, and collaborating across departments to remove financial barriers that may impact retention and graduation. Under the general direction and reporting to the Sr. Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, the Advisor will assist in the management of key federal aid processes, including the, Federal Pell Grant program, TEACH Grant program and federal verification, while delivering exceptional service to a diverse student population.

Job Responsibilities

Federal Aid Administration and Compliance

• Collaborate with the Senior Assistant Director and Senior Associate Director to ensure the federal financial aid process is seamless and student-centered.
• Maintain a working knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and University policies.
• Monitor document management workflows to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
• Assist with the timely processing, reconciliation, and reporting of the Federal Pell Grant program.
• Manage the federal TEACH Grant program, including reconciliation and required reporting.
• Support administration of the University’s Course Program of Study (CPOS) process and related aid impacts.

Verification and Aid Packaging

• Review and complete federal verification cases for new first-year students, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Package financial aid for transfer students admitted for the spring semester.
• Exercise strong attention to detail and accountability when reviewing documentation and determining aid eligibility.

Professional Judgment and Student Advocacy

• Evaluate and apply Professional Judgment for students with special circumstances in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Support the equitable delivery of financial aid by accurately assessing individual student financial situations.

Counseling, Service, and Student Engagement

• Provide individualized financial aid counseling to students and families, including guidance on aid programs and verification requirements.
• Serve as Counselor of the Day and provide backup support for the Student Financial Services Center.
• Deliver professional, responsive service to students, families, alumni, and external partners.

Outreach, Collaboration, and Process Improvement

• Utilize data to identify opportunities for operational improvement and increased student engagement.
• Partner with Enrollment and other University departments to support holistic student success.
• Conduct financial aid presentations, workshops, and virtual sessions on financial aid topics and financial literacy.
• Represent Student Financial Services at recruitment and onboarding events, including Open House and Accepted Student Day (evenings and weekends required).

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Assist with managing student workers

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.

Competencies, Education, Experience

• Ability to learn and apply federal, state regulations and university policies in support of the timely delivery of federal student aid.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage complex conversations and resolve escalated concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Effective communication and presentation skills (in-person and virtual)

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience with Ellucian Banner.
• Prior experience in higher education

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be qualified to access Federal Student Aid systems

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

• 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.