Financial Aid Advisor

Department Contact: Maria Hernandez, 575-646-7598, mgh1@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services Department is seeking a highly motivated student-centered individual with excellent customer service skills to join the Financial Aid team.

Position Details

Position Title: Financial Aid Advisor

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 521040-UNIV FIN AID & SCHOLARSHIP SVCS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 43,908.80

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Provides support and guidance as a student's single point of contact for all matters related to financial aid opportunities, including but not limited to federal grants, loans, work study, and state, institutional and private scholarships. Follows federal and state regulations and NMSU policies and procedures in the review and analysis of financial aid applications. Acts as an advisor to students, potential students and families, enforces regulations and policies, serves on appeal committee, creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends solutions on how to improve their status. Effectively presents federal, state and scholarship aid information to individuals, small and large groups. Leads policy research, implementation, documentation, and training for entire NMSU-system.

Meets with students, prospective students, families and community groups to provide information on all available federal, state and scholarship funds, eligibility criteria for each and the application procedures. Perform need analysis according to federal Title IV methodology, review and verify accuracy of applications and complete the packaging of awards for eligible applications. Revise existing awards to reflect changes in eligibility or allowable budget adjustments. Exercise professional judgement in adjusting a student's application to accommodate documented, qualifying special circumstances. Maintains proactive contact with students and creates solutions to potential setbacks that may affect student retention and works collaboratively with other departments to address and/or resolve issues. Participates in the development, implementation, documentation and training of departmental procedures, as appropriate. Conducts student orientations, entrance and exit interviews in accordance with federal, University and agency guidelines. Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE: Basic knowledge of financial aid programs.; SKILLS: Demonstrated skill in personal computing, including Microsoft Office products. Research and interview techniques for the purpose of recording, classifying and interpreting factual information.; ABILITIES: To utilize electronic calendaring functions, access on-line student services forms and academic programs. To provide financial aid information and advice to a diverse student, prospective student, family and community population. To interpret and apply federal, state, institutional and private rules and regulations. To build and maintain excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students and general public. To exercise professional judgement in line with federal and state regulatory guidelines.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

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