Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships seeks a Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor I/II to support the administration and coordination of financial aid and scholarship programs, including but not limited to federal and private student loans, scholarships and fellowships, Federal Work-Study, verification, withdrawals, and Return to Title IV calculations, and other assigned aid programs. This position provides operational, analytical, and customer service support by reviewing eligibility, processing transactions, maintaining compliance with federal, state, institutional, donor, and program-specific regulations, resolving issues, and collaborating with students, families, faculty, staff, and campus partners.

Placement at the Financial Aid & Scholarships Program Advisor I/II  level will be based on the selected candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated knowledge and abilities.

Special Instructions:
Upload a single document containing your resume and a cover letter tailored specifically to this position under the "Resume Upload" section (maximum file size: 5 MB).

• Administers and coordinates assigned areas of financial aid and scholarship operations with moderate independence, applying established procedures and seeking guidance for complex or unusual situations.
• Participates in training, professional development, conferences, and internal knowledge sharing to strengthen understanding of financial aid and scholarship regulations, assigned processes, regulations, institutional policies, and operational expectations.
• Determines, or supports the determination of financial aid, scholarship, fellowship, or other award eligibility within assigned areas by analyzing documentation, applying established criteria to moderately complex situations, making recommendations, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures, and referring matters requiring higher-level approval or policy interpretation to appropriate leadership.
• Responds to routine and moderately complex questions related to assigned financial aid or scholarship processes and refers escalated, technical, or policy sensitive matters to higher level staff.
• Monitors activities within assigned areas by analyzing operational trends, identifying routine and moderately complex issues, resolving issues within established authority, and recommending improvements to procedures, documentation, or workflow in accordance with established policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Collaborates with internal staff and campus partners to resolve routine and moderately complex issues within assigned areas, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures and escalating matters as appropriate.
• Serves as a member of relevant appeal committees and other exception-based processes by analyzing documentation, developing recommendations, and ensuring compliance with established procedures.
• Reviews, processes, reconciles, and documents financial aid and scholarship applications, materials, and transactions, analyzing eligibility and compliance requirements, resolving routine and moderately complex processing issues, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, institutional, donor, and program-specific requirements in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintains records, reports, process documentation, communications, and other materials for assigned areas by analyzing documentation for accuracy and compliance, resolving routine and moderately complex documentation issues with minimal guidance, and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Supports planning and coordination for assigned operational areas through the analysis of operational needs, coordination of routine planning activities, development of planning materials, and resolution of day-to-day planning and administrative matters within established policies and procedures.
• Participates in meetings and collaborates with internal teams, campus partners, and stakeholders by analyzing information, resolving routine and moderately complex matters with minimal guidance, developing recommendations, coordinating follow-up activities, and communicating timelines, milestones, and process updates in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Level I:

• Bachelor's degree -no specific discipline

Level II:

• Bachelor's degree -no specific discipline
• 2 years of experience in financial aid and/or scholarship administration, financial services, banking, finance, accounting or related compliance-driven program administration in higher education.

Budgeted salary range for this position:$44,000 - $55,000

• Working knowledge of federal, state, institutional, donor-funded, and program-specific regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to financial aid and scholarship administration.
• Working knowledge of financial aid and scholarship processes, including eligibility determination, awarding, verification, reconciliation, appeals, exception processing, and related compliance requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations and requirements to routine and moderately complex situations and develop recommendations within established guidelines.
• Ability to analyze operational and compliance issues and resolve routine and moderately complex matters independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making within established policies, procedures, and assigned authority.
• Ability to coordinate operational activities, collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, and support the administration of assigned financial aid and scholarship programs.
• Ability to identify operational issues, analyze trends, and recommend improvements to processes, documentation, and workflow in accordance with established policies and best practices.
• Skill in reviewing, reconciling, and maintaining financial aid and scholarship records, reports, communications, and supporting documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, written communication, verbal communication, and technology skills, including proficiency with student information systems, financial aid management systems, and related software applications.

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!