Financial Aid & Military Benefits Advisor

Who We Are

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is an accredited higher education institution, leading in online undergraduate and graduate programs in integrative health, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and wellness coaching, among other studies.

Founded in 1978 in New Zealand, we have always had sustainability as a founding principle; we are a Certified B Corporation. We strive to create and maintain a working environment where we are all valued and appreciated for who we are. We work together to help facilitate change in the communities we serve and take an individualized approach to supporting students on their educational journey. Our mission is to lead the advancement of evidence-based, integrative health and wellness education through experiential online learning and sustainable practices.

For more information, visit https://achs.edu.

Position Overview

Are you ready to combine your expertise in veteran education benefits and financial aid in a collaborative and innovative team?

This role serves as a Financial Aid Advisor and Veterans Certifying Official and provides comprehensive student financial guidance, including financial aid advising, military education benefits certification, scholarship coordination, and support in identifying external funding resources.

This position collaborates across the institution and works alongside a dedicated team of financial aid professionals who are committed to communicating information about the College and its programs in an accurate, professional, and ethical manner at all times.

Successful candidates will excel in a team environment where collaboration, positivity, and flexibility are valued; have a proven ability to think critically and be solution-oriented; demonstrate the ability to effectively technology; and believe in the power of education and the benefits of integrative health and wellness.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Aid Advising (.5 FTE)

• Process applications for federal financial aid and prepare financial aid award letters based on eligibility.
• Provide entrance and exit counseling for students and promote responsible borrowing.
• Complete verification and entrance counseling procedures required by the Department of Education.
• Support students in understanding alternative funding options, including employer or third-party tuition assistance programs and institutional payment plans.
• Communicate information about the College and its financial programs in an accurate, professional, and ethical manner at all times.
• Safeguard confidential and sensitive student information.

Veteran & Military Education Benefits (School Certifying Official) (.25 FTE)

• Provide excellent customer service to veterans and active-duty servicemembers through consistent, effective outreach. Outreach may occur via phone, email, text, or student success webinars to encourage communication, retention, and degree completion.
• Provide VA application instructions, answer benefit questions or refer to the VA as applicable, and inform students of the documentation needed to use military education benefits.
• Prior to enrollment certification, carefully review student registration and billing data to verify the amount to be certified, ensuring tuition/fee certification complies with VA regulations.
• Submit timely enrollment certifications, enrollment changes, and other student status changes via the VA Enrollment Manager platform.
• Work with the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for appropriate authorization documentation.
• Remain current on VA rules, benefits, and additions to the SCO handbook.
• In coordination with the Director of Veteran Student Services, complete the annual institution renewal with the State Approving Agency (SAA) and provide support for compliance visits.
• Complete annual VA training.

Scholarship Management (.25 FTE)

• Administer institutional and external scholarship programs, including application intake, eligibility review, and selection with the Scholarship Committee.
• Maintain scholarship records and ensure awards are accurately reflected on student accounts and financial aid packages in coordination with the Business Office.
• Communicate scholarship opportunities, deadlines, and requirements to prospective and current students, including veterans and military-affiliated students.

Skills & Experience You Bring to ACHS

• Minimum of 3 years' experience with primary responsibility as a School Certifying Official (SCO).
• Minimum of 3 years of financial aid advising experience, preferably in an online education environment. 
• Knowledgeable about current military and VA benefit programs and regulations, including local, state, and federal veteran's programs and educational benefits provided to veterans and the family or spouse of a veteran.
• Proficient in the use of the VA Enrollment Manager certifying system.
• Experience with COD, NSLDS, and the FAFSA Partner Portal is required.
• Anthology Student experience preferred.
• Some college coursework in Accounting, Business Management, Finance, or Student Services/Administration; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to establish relationships and collaborate collegially and effectively with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage work to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proficient in Macintosh computer systems, with additional expertise in Excel, Word, and Google Drive. ACHS is an extremely tech-reliant institution; all staff require a high level of comfort and proficiency using a variety of online and software applications.
• Ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Exemplary interpersonal/customer service skills and a positive attitude.

Expected Competencies & Traits

• Strong decision-making and communication skills.
• An understanding of and commitment to ACHS’s Vision, Mission, and Values.
• Fosters collaboration across the institution.

Position Status 

Status: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports to: Director of VA Education Benefits and Financial Aid Auditor

Standard Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm 

Location: Fully-remote position from eligible state

Benefits Highlights

Health and Wellness

• Eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance the first of the month after hire.
• Dental and Vision covered at 100%; Medical covered at 90%.
• Flexible Spending, Disability, Life, and Pet Insurance plans available.

Paid Time Off

• Eligible for paid time off upon hire
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Wellness Days (including expanded holiday breaks)
• Paid Volunteer Day

Other Benefits

• Education Benefit Program
• Product Discounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) plan with institution match after one year of employment

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job can be completed remotely or in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is largely a sedentary role; the position requires prolonged standing or sitting and may also include bending, stooping, or stretching. The position also requires prolonged use of a computer.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Non-Discrimination

ACHS is committed to equal opportunity and equal treatment for all qualified individuals. ACHS does not discriminate nor will it tolerate discrimination against any person because of age, gender, gender-identity, color, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other class protected by law.

ACHS complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, including but not limited to all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Any person who files a complaint or participates in an investigation is protected from retaliation to the full extent of the law. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to ACHS’s Title IX Coordinator and/or to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

ACHS Title IX Coordinator: Prisca Bermudez, Director of Academic Services, 5005 S. Macadam Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97239. 503-244-0726,

TitleIX@achs.edu