Student Financial Support Specialist

E03 Vermont State University; South Carolina; On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Vermont State University seeks a Student Success Financial Aid Advisor to be the central escalation point for complex financial aid, billing, and payment questions. You will coordinate with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the Registrar’s Office to guide students through awards, verification, and payment plans.

You will also assist veterans and international students, help with certification paperwork, and promote accessibility and inclusion across campus while providing first‑level support

Qualifications

• Associate degree with two to four years relevant experience, or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
• Bachelor’s degree with two to four years relevant experience, or related knowledge and skills.
• Understanding of financial aid processes and information needed to support diverse students.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary escalation point for students with financial aid, billing, or payment questions and connect them with resources.
• Handle escalated issues related to financial aid estimates, awards, or verification processes.
• Respond to student billing, payment, and financing questions for special populations like veterans or international students.
• Counsel students and their families in person, by email or by phone about financial needs and available options.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to achieve student success goals and promote inclusion.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Technology literacy

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Aviso

Colleague

SelfService

Slate

Microsoft products

Perceptive Content

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary point of escalation from admissions counselors, advisors, or other student success staff for students who have unique or difficult financial aid, billing, or payment questions or issues, connecting them with appropriate resources in Financial Aid, Student Accounts, or the Registrar’s Office as needed.
• Handle escalated question if issue is related to a student’s personal financial situation such as the calculation of estimated family contribution, financial aid awards, parent plus loans, payment plan set up, bookstore charges, FAFSA needs, and the Financial Aid verification process.
• Respond to escalated student questions related to student billing, payment, and financing related to unique student populations such as veterans, international students, study abroad, or those with other third-party payment.
• Counsel prospective and returning students and parents with unique situations to assess their financial needs and provide them with a wide range of information, advice, and assistance, either in person, email or phone.
• Work directly with students who are veterans or international students to provide certification paperwork and process internally as needed.
• Work collaboratively across departments and within Student Success to achieve Vermont State University student success goals, the university’s mission and vision, accessibility requirements, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Demonstrate inclusivity and provide excellent customer service in all modalities, including in-person, telephone, e-mail, video call, live chat, texting, and the like.
• Assist faculty and staff with basic financial aid and billing questions and provide first-level support for use of related technology.
• Monitor financial aid and billing assistance resources such as student portal, web pages, online resources, and forms, and work with Financial Aid and Student Accounts to update as needed.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direct supervision received from Vice President for Admission and Enrollment Services.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervise student employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in appropriate discipline with two to four years relevant experience, or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate discipline with two to four years relevant experience, or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge: Understanding of or ability to learn detailed financial aid processes and information needed to support the unique needs of individual students and their families, including knowledge of various federal, state, and institutional awards and grants.
• Knowledge: Understanding of the educational goals and objectives of Vermont State University including attention to accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge: Understanding of the psychological and cultural characteristics of economically and educationally disadvantaged students, particularly in a rural setting.
• Skills: Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Skills: Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Skills: Experience with (or ability to learn) technologies such as Aviso, Colleague, SelfService, Slate, Microsoft products, and Perceptive Content.
• Skills: Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Abilities: Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing work processes.
• Abilities: Demonstrated ability to positively influence student skill development, such as communication skills, leadership skills, academic skills, technical skills, noncognitive or ‘soft’ skills, and social skills.
• Abilities: Demonstrated ability to foster student development in the attainment of student success goals, such as academic purpose, sense of belonging/identity, agency, career readiness, civic readiness, access & equity.
• Abilities: Demonstrated positive attitude regarding Vermont State University and a desire to improve student outcomes, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Abilities: Demonstrated ability to support a diverse community and promote diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Abilities: Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals within the University and capacity to work as part of a team to collaborate and choose student success.
• Abilities: Ability to work some weekends and evenings to provide student support outside of normal business hours.

WORK SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION

Scheduled Hours Weekly: 37.5

Budgeted Wage for this Position: $19.71 per hour

Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

Grade: S10

Job Posting Responsibilities: Unit Determination: VSC Staff Federation - Vermont State Employees Association

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

At the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS), our mission is grounded in empowering students and strengthening communities across Vermont. When you join our team, you become part of a dedicated, statewide community that believes in the transformative power of education — not only in the classroom, but in careers, lives, and local economies. VSCS encompasses Vermont State University, the Community College of Vermont, and our System Office, with 12 centers, 5 campuses, and more than 10 additional learning sites across the state. Deeply rooted in our communities, we provide affordable, flexible, and innovative programs designed to meet the needs of today’s learners — from recent high school graduates to adult students reentering the workforce. Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to workforce development, we help build a vibrant, resilient Vermont. Our employees are key to this mission. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for growth, and a workplace culture that values collaboration, diversity, and purpose. If you’re passionate about education that makes a real and lasting difference, we invite you to grow your career with the Vermont State Colleges System — and help shape the future of our students, our communities, and our state.