Student Financial Aid Advisor

College of Southern Idaho; Twin Falls (ID); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Free gym membership

Discounted events

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Financial Aid Advisor at the College of Southern Idaho manages the financial aid process in a high-volume, student-centered environment. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while counseling students and families on eligibility, applications, and awards.

The advisor uses PowerFAIDS, Anthology SIS, and federal systems to determine aid, award packages, verify SAP, and handle professional judgment in special circumstances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and processes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Process financial aid applications using PowerFAIDS, Anthology SIS, and federal systems.
• Ensure data entry accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Determine eligibility for federal/state grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
• Award and package financial aid based on eligibility and guidelines.
• Complete verification, SAP reviews, and related eligibility steps.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Confidentiality

Fast-paced environment

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

PowerFAIDS

SIS platforms

Federal reporting tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Financial Aid Advisor at the College of Southern Idaho manages the financial aid process in a high-volume, student-centered environment. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while providing individualized counseling to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, applications, and awards. The advisor plays a key role in helping students access the financial resources necessary to pursue and complete their educational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Aid Processing (60%)

• Analyze and process student financial aid applications using PowerFAIDS, Anthology SIS, and federal systems (ISIR, COD, NSLDS).
• Ensure accuracy of data entry and compliance with federal, state, donor, and institutional policies and regulations.
• Determine eligibility for financial aid programs, including federal and state grants, loans, work-study, and institutional scholarships.
• Award financial aid packages based on student eligibility in accordance with all applicable regulations and funding guidelines.
• Complete verification, SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) reviews, and related eligibility processes.

Compliance, Reporting, and Professional Judgment (20%)

• Monitor student eligibility using system-generated reports, including enrollment status, SAP, GPA, and award status.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations throughout the academic year.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies such as over awards, overpayments, and eligibility conflicts, ensuring accurate documentation and communication.
• Evaluate and process professional judgment requests related to special or unusual circumstances, such as changes in income, household conditions, or financial need.
• Adjust cost of attendance, Student Aid Index (SAI), dependency status, and aid packages when appropriate and in accordance with federal guidance.
• Process dependency overrides and other exceptional cases requiring professional judgment review.

Student Counseling (10%)

• Provide individualized advising to current and prospective students and families regarding financial aid options, eligibility requirements, and application processes.
• Explain federal, state, institutional, and private aid programs, including grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
• Assist students in understanding their financial aid awards and managing educational expenses.
• Provide guidance on special circumstances and professional judgment cases.

Collaboration and External Communication (5%)

• Collaborate with internal departments, external agencies, and scholarship donors to support the financial aid process.
• Maintain secure and compliant access to federal and state systems, including NSLDS and other authorized databases.
• Communicate effectively with external partners to ensure timely processing and resolution of financial aid matters.

Outreach, Presentations, and Other Duties (5%)

• Present financial aid and scholarship information to students, families, high school counselors, and community organizations.
• Conduct workshops and outreach sessions on campus and in the community regarding financial aid processes, deadlines, and requirements.
• Promote financial literacy by educating students and families on budgeting, loan management, and responsible borrowing.
• Assist students with scholarship applications and understanding eligibility criteria and deadlines.
• Respond to inquiries via in-person, phone, and email communication in a timely and professional manner.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Financial Aid Office.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and processes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Preferred

• Experience in financial aid administration or higher education.
• Familiarity with financial aid systems such as PowerFAIDS, SIS platforms, and federal reporting tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Working Conditions

• This position is based on the main campus and may require occasional travel to other campuses or community sites for outreach, presentations, and student support activities.

Additional Information

• Tuition assistance for yourself and your immediate family here at CSI, reciprocal agreements for tuition assistance for you at Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University.
• Free Gym/Recreation center membership for you and your family.
• Discounted athletic events.
• Discounted Herrett Center events and shows.
• Medical - Select Health
• Dental - Delta Dental/Willamette
• Vision - Ameritas/VSP
• Retirement plan with the following contribution rates.
  • Employee Contribution: 7.18%
  • Employer Contribution: 11.96%

The College of Southern Idaho is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to cultivating and sustaining an environment in which our employees and learners thrive. The College prohibits discrimination on the basis of any legally protected status.

Required Skills

Required Experience