Job Information
Texas A&M University Financial Aid Advisor II in Galveston, Texas
Job Title
Financial Aid Advisor II
Agency
Texas A&M University
Department
Scholarships And Financial Aid
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Galveston, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Who We Are
The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs: grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition, our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assists students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.
What We Want
Scholarships & Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor II to counsel and provide information on federal, state and institutional scholarships, financial aid & military education benefits for currently enrolled and prospective students for the Galveston Campus. We're looking for a passionate, critical thinking, and driven individual who has a student first mindset to assist and advise students on available aid to finance their education. The successful candidate provides great customer service, has the ability to meet deadlines, succeeds in a fast-paced environment, and maintains a high level of accuracy and professionalism. The Financial Aid Advisor II will learn to advise current and prospective students and their families both in one-on-one and group settings.
What You Need to Know
Annual Salary: $46,500.00
Cover Letter & Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.
Other Requirements or Other Factors: Requires some evening and week-end work, as well as travel. Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 - Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
One year in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student veterans services or related experience
Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations
Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs
Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization
Good interpersonal communication, oral and written communication skills
Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism and a customer service orientation
Ability to organize and make decisions and use tact, diplomacy and judgment in dealing with all customers
Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
Preferred Qualifications:
Two or more years in student financial aid or advising experience at a college level
Management and supervisory skills
Some professional experience in a higher education setting
Professional experience in a role related to student advising, recruitment, counseling or student affairs
Background in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students
Demonstrated written communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office
Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems
Bilingual in Spanish a plus
Ability to develop and make presentations
Knowledge and experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention
Certified Financial Advisor or Accredited Financial Counselor
Responsibilities
Advising
Uses discretion and independent judgment to advise and counsel students, parents, and/or prospective students in solving their educational financial problems through scholarships, loans, grants, employment and financial counseling. Responds to questions and counseling needs in-person and by written, phone, and email from currently enrolled students, prospective students and parents. Assists outreach staff with prospective students and in their transition to current TAMU students. Performs reviews for professional judgment of student files, making adjustments as needed. Reviews Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals and makes decisions regarding the validity of these appeals. Serves as occasional scheduled Phone Queue agent and assists with coverage of front counter in the main reception area of department greets visitors, answer inquiries regarding federal financial aid forms, records, procedures, and policies. Assists with conducting on and off-campus presentations, seminars, and/or workshops for students and possibly for professional development training. May work at resource tables as requested by groups from TAMU, prospective student groups, and others. Provides loan and indebtedness counseling to students on an individual and group basis. Serves as financial aid counselor as well as walk-in counselor as needed. Awards, revises and/or approves the awarding of financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines. Makes adjustments if necessary for compliance issues and submits the corrections through automated correction process or submits through FAA Access. Uses discretion to respond to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid, scholarships, and specialized programs.
Financial Aid Knowledge & Team Support
Provides assistance and guidance to other financial aid staff to ensure that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures. Assists in developing and revising financial aid consumer information material, publications and brochures for currently enrolled students, prospective students and their parents, colleges, departments and university use. Participates in and may lead departmental work groups. Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to financial aid, student employment, and scholarships. Knows how outreach and early awareness staff interact with CS staff and transition students from prospective to currently enrolled TAMU students. Attends departmental and other trainings. Reviews complex rules, regulations procedures and policies relating to financial aid, scholarships, and customer service, and recommend revisions to University or departmental policies and procedures and assists in informing and/or training other staff. May work with state, regional, or national committees concerning new, changed, or deleted regulations and impacts to financial aid offices and students.
Presentations
Conducts on- and off-campus financial aid presentations, seminars, and/or workshops for students and possibly for professional development training. Represents TAMUG at resource tables as requested by groups from TAMUG, prospective student groups, and others. Plans and executes special events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives. Assists in the transition of students from prospective to currently enrolled students. Participates in and may lead departmental work groups.
General
Assists in planning and execution of events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives (e.g. financial aid awareness programs, Aggieland Saturday, outreach efforts). Attends local, state, and national workshops, and conferences, host and present at various workshops. May participate in committees for industry organizations or within the University. Conducts seminar and gives presentations to include classroom and/or professional level for profession and others. Assists in developing and presenting training seminars on pertinent topics and procedures within team area of expertise. Uses discretion to respond to varied questions that may require researching and consolidating data regarding financial aid, scholarships, and specialized programs.
Why Texas A&M University?
We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.
Health (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/medical/) , dental (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/dental/) , vision (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/vision-insurance/) , life and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/life-add/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays
Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation each (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) month
Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)
Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
Employee Tuition Assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance/) and Educational Release time (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/educational.html) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
Our Commitment
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values (https://www.tamu.edu/about/coreValues.html) which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.
Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
