Financial Aid Advisor

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Financial Aid Advisor Classification Title Administrator Position Number B203PD Grade Level P1 Starting Wage/Salary $55,620-$64,000 plus exceptional benefits Close Date 06/21/2026 Open Until Filled No Open Until Filled Notes Position Type/Employee Class Administrative Faculty Status FTE 1.0 Contract Months 12.0 Overtime Eligible Exempt Location Bend Hybrid Remote Work Eligible? No Exceptional COCC Benefits Summary

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Primary Purpose

The Financial Aid Advisor position provides specific financial aid and financial management advising to students; supports the financial aid department in student education efforts such as consumer information requirements, basic money management, default prevention and identity protection; collaborates with multiple on-campus departments and off-campus organizations in order to develop venues of contact with current and prospective student's on-campus, in high schools and elsewhere in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Advising Functions

• Advise prospective and current students and parents on all aspects of the financial aid process. Provide guidance and support, including information about funding resources (federal grants and loans, state grants, agency resources, scholarships and federal work-study), application procedures/deadlines and eligibility to students. Service is provided in-person in the Financial Aid Office and in conjunction with the Student Enrollment team.
• Collaborate with advising, counseling, tutoring, degree evaluation, student employment or other services to assist students and make referrals as needed.
• Explain and provide information on institutional policies and federal regulations and how they may affect a student's aid eligibility. Provide professional advice to students regarding how academic choices (course selection, enrollment levels, attendance, drop/withdraw, progress toward completion, GPA, etc.) affect financial aid eligibility.
• Assist students with online financial aid tools and self-service resources.

Event Planning Functions

• Lead group workshops and discussions to educate students on funding opportunities, the financial aid application process, and budgeting skills. This may include community outreach centers, high schools and on-campus classes.
• Support recruitment and retention activities by providing financial aid information during orientations, high school visits, and outreach efforts targeting traditional and non‑traditional students.
• Participate in financial aid training sessions to stay current on changes in laws, policies, and procedures.
• Present financial aid information to students, faculty, staff, and community groups.

Office and Compliance Functions:

• Assist with overall departmental customer service, including regular coverage of the front desk, department email and phone lines.
• Analyze and recommend improvements and program changes necessary for quality customer service and regulatory compliance.
• Perform file review tasks.
• Participate in reviewing student files requiring special judgment.
• Maintain an accurate and organized database of student interactions to help evaluate service effectiveness.
• Communicate and operate in alignment with all applicable federal and state regulations, as well as institutional policies.
• Document procedures related to assigned responsibilities.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned.

Department Specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess interpersonal, communication and public presentation skills. Must be able to communicate effectively in individual and group settings. Will represent COCC on a professional basis, both orally and in writing, using the English language with or without the use of an interpreter.
• Ability to use good listening skills to communicate with students in response to a variety of questions i.e., Satisfactory Academic Policy, reasons for financial aid not being ready, amount available to borrow, ramifications of dropping classes, etc.
• Ability to understand and effectively use administrative software system (Banner) to accomplish job functions.
• Ability to work well in teams and with customers.
• Ability to understand and use software to create work applications and reports.
• Ability to work accurately and in detail.
• Ability to stay current with financial aid regulatory changes by monitoring professional websites and attending seminars as required.
• Knowledge of community resources available to students for assistance with basic needs, counseling, budgeting and planning, or ability to make those contacts.
• Ability to use software programs and database systems which include Microsoft Office Suite, email, website editing, and modern office equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with and contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience.
• Ability to demonstrate essential job functions outlined above.

Ergonomic Requirements

Regular office hours are established between 8 am - 5 pm during the workweek. A flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends, may be necessary due to the nature of the responsibilities.

Incumbent must be able to function effectively indoors in an office environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary nature. Requires the ability to work at a workstation for extended periods. Requires to write, read written materials and computer screens, and ability to use telephonic conversations. Occasional lifting up to 25lbs. All individuals are required to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education, student affairs, business or related field.
• Two (2) years of related professional experience multi-tasking, prioritizing and problem solving.

Equivalency Statement

The College recognizes the value of skills and knowledge gained outside of formal higher education and paid employment. Applicants who do not meet minimum qualifications but present other qualifications or experience equivalent to those required will be considered and are encouraged to apply. To qualify under equivalency, applicants must indicate how they qualify by responding to the supplemental question presented during the application process.

All employees are required to successfully complete and pass a background screen, which includes a criminal history check.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience

• Professional work experience in a higher education setting.
• Professional work experience with the SCT Banner system.
• Professional work experience working with a diverse population of students and/or customers.

EEO Statement

The goal of Central Oregon Community College is to provide an atmosphere that encourages our faculty, staff and students to realize their full potential. In support of this goal, it is the policy of Central Oregon Community College that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran or military status, pregnancy or any other classes protected under federal and state statutes in any education program, activities or employment. Persons with questions about this statement should contact Human Resources at 541.383.7216 or the Vice President for Student Affairs at 541.383.7211.

This policy covers nondiscrimination in both employment and access to educational opportunities. When brought to the attention of the appropriate parties, any such actions will be promptly and equitably responded to according to the process outlined in general procedures sections N-1, N-2, or N-3.

In support of COCC's EEO statement, bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is considered a plus, along with experience working in a diverse multicultural setting.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest level of education?

• No High School Diploma or GED

• High School Diploma or GED

• Professional Certification or License (not a degree)

• Associates Degree

• Bachelor's Degree in Progress

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree in Progress

• Master's Degree

• Ph.D in Progress

• Ph.D

• Ed.D in Progress

• Ed.D

• J.D.

• M.D

• Other Doctorate Level Degree

• • Please describe how you meet the minimum two years of related professional experience multi-tasking, prioritizing and problem solving.

(Open Ended Question)

• • We recognize the value of skills, knowledge, and experience gained outside of formal education and paid employment. Applicants who do not meet minimum education and/or experience requirements but possess other qualifications or experience they feel are equivalent are encouraged to apply. Check the applicable box(es) below and explain in the next question why your education/experience should be considered equivalent. All applications are reviewed by a member of our Human Resources team. You will not be automatically eliminated by our recruitment software based on the box or boxes you check, as we are committed to a fair and thorough evaluation process.

• I meet all minimum requirements (education and experience) listed for this position.

• I do not meet the minimum education degree requirement(s).

• My degree is not in the required stated area(s).

• I have less than the minimum years' experience in the area(s) required.

• • As a follow up to the previous question, explain how your education/experience should be considered equivalent to the minimum requirements. If you feel you meet all the stated minimum requirements, please put N/A. All applications are reviewed by a member of our Human Resources team. You will not be automatically eliminated by our recruitment software based on your response, as we are committed to a fair and thorough evaluation process.

(Open Ended Question)

• In support of COCC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, bilingual fluency in English and another language is considered a plus: Please list any languages other than English in which you are fluent (read and write).

(Open Ended Question)

• • Are you a U.S. military veteran? COCC provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment. To receive veterans' preference in this recruitment process, you must upload either your DD214 and 215 (215 if applicable) or your certification that you expect to be honorably discharged from the military within 120 days. You will have the opportunity to upload the document(s) in the next step of this application process. If you have questions about what document(s) to provide, email MyHR@cocc.edu.

• Yes, I am a veteran.

• No, I am not a veteran.

• If you have identified yourself as a qualified veteran or disabled veteran by submitting your DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) form(s) as proof of veteran status, please describe any transferable skills earned during your military service that you feel relate to the requirements/preferences of this position.

(Open Ended Question)

• • COCC employees must work and reside in the state of Oregon. Are you currently residing in, or willing to relocate to, the state of Oregon by the start date of this position?

• Yes, I currently reside in or will reside in the state of Oregon by the start date of this position.

• No.

• • The College CANNOT provide support or sponsorship of any type for visa applications and related paperwork for employment purposes. To be considered, applicants must already be authorized to begin work in the United States, be able to arrive in the country, and maintain work eligibility without the College's sponsorship or support. Are you currently, or will you be, authorized to begin work in the United States, able to arrive, and able to maintain work eligibility without the College's sponsorship or support by the position's start date?

• Yes, I am already or will be authorized to begin work in the United States, able to arrive, and able to maintain work eligibility without the College's sponsorship or support by the position's start date.

• No.

• • Background checks are required for all employees of COCC. Should an offer of employment be made and accepted by you, you will receive an email from COCC / HireRight Screening requesting your consent and basic information to complete the check. The offer of employment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of the criminal background check. Confirmed findings on a criminal background check will not automatically disqualify you from being hired into a position. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the job responsibilities and other risk factors. Additional information regarding COCC's criminal history check policy can be found online in the General Procedures Manual, Section HR-4-0. Please indicate here if you will provide consent to the criminal history check when requested by the College.

• Yes, I will provide my consent when requested.

• No, I will not provide my consent when requested.

Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Letter of Recommendation 1

Optional Documents

• College Transcript 1 (unofficial)
• US Military DD 214
• Certification Document