Financial Aid Advisor - III

South University; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job description

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environmentthat will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff andstudents eager to play a role in helping you achieve yourprofessional goals, on campus and online.

The South University 125-year story—past, present, and future—is ahistory formed by the many individuals who have developed theeducation and spirit of community that have become our pledge tostudents, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of SouthUniversity.

Whether you have been part of the University family formany years, have recently come our way, or are thinking aboutjoining us, you will find South University to be a place you cancall home.

What's next for you is the first priority for us!

Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about whatmakes us stand apart as a place where you can make a difference inthe lives of students eager to learn and grow.

South University, the right direction for a brighter future.

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• FSA/HSA
• Tuition Assistant Program
• Long/Short Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K Match
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays
• includes domestic partner coverage

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Senior Financial Aid Advisor, you will serve as a subjectmatter expert and mentor, managing complex student portfolios andensuring strict adherence to Federal and State regulations. Youwill bridge the gap between student service and administrativecompliance, driving the financial success of our students throughexpert counseling and strategic planning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist the Senior Director of Financial Aid with training newFinancial Aid Advisors, act as mentor to other advisors on theteam, and provide guidance on processes when needed.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the department byparticipating in special initiatives and evolving businessneeds.
• Utilize reports to review students, analyze work needed, andability to prioritize daily workload independently.
• Strong Customer Service, ability to calm students and parents,accurately articulate the status of a student’s aid andaccount.
• Work cohesively with Admission Representative in order tofacilitate outstanding service to prospective students and theirparents.
• Efficiently and accurately package assigned students includingincludes new, continuing, re-entry and transfer students.
• Guide students on the financial aid process, including requiredforms, documents, and process.
• Create financial plans for assigned students in compliance withinstitutional policies and Federal regulations, communicate theplan to students and parents, and effectively explain rights andresponsibilities for each aid source.
• Assist students and parents with alternative means of financingany remaining balance after awarding eligible federal, state, orinstitutional aid
• Ensure student files are complete and accurate and that aid ispaid to students’ accounts in a timely manner.
• Review ISIRs, request outstanding documents, and perform alllevels of verification and C Code reviews.
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or Associate’s Degreeand 5 years of related experience with federal and studentfinancial aid, or 7+ years of related experience with federal andstudent aid.
• Financial aid or accounting experience required.
• Customer service, problem-solving experience required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to make small group presentations as well as skill ininteracting on a one-on-one basis.
• The ability to multi-task, work independently, and makedecisions based on guidelines.
• Strong basic computer software (MS Office) skills as well asexposure to more concentrated financial aid software (CampusVue/Campus Nexus preferred)
• Willing and able to work on the Saturday prior to each start(once every 5 weeks)
• Have a reliable internet connection.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here arerepresentative of those encountered while performing the essentialfunctions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be madeto enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform theessential functions of the position.

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer andembraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, studentand graduate success. We are committed to building and developing adiverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures, andperspectives can thrive.