Financial Aid Advisor

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Professional Staff - Student AffairsNo

Job Type:

RegularDay Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides an accessible, quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we prepare our more than 8,900 students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan research university mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock's thriving cultural community and a major component of the city and state's growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology transfer, economic development, and job creation.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click theApply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 501-916-3180.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-916-3180.

Department:

Financial Aid

Summary of Job Duties:

The Financial Aid Advisor works in a team environment to administer institutional, state, federal, and private financial aid to UA Little Rock students in compliance with institutional policies, state law, and federal regulations/law. This position requires an aptitude for analysis, attention to detail, and expert communication skills.

The Financial Aid Advisor provides exceptional customer service to UA Little Rock students, potential students, parents, faculty, and staff. The Financial Aid Advisor must be able to interpret policy, law, and regulation, and assess its distinct, detailed applicability to each circumstance. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education and/or Experience:

• Previous financial aid experience.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with a team of Financial Aid Advisors to provide customer service to studentsseeking financial assistance;

• Process all documents and requests from students and agencies to ensure thetimely delivery of financial aid to the student body at UALittle Rock;

• Interpret policies and procedures and articulate necessary information to students, parents, staff, faculty, and others while providing guidance through all processes from application to payment;

• Pay attention to detail when interpreting questions, entering data, seeking assistance fromcolleagues, and providing answers and information while assisting a prospective student with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or performing complex verification of a student's financial aid file;

• Respect student privacy and adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations;

• Familiar with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and amendments that authorize the administration of federal financial aid and interpret regulations in reviewing documents received and counseling students;

• Working knowledge of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and applying an understanding of regulations to federal student aid compliance;

• Regularly attend professional development training in order to stay informed of changes to federal and state aid programs and apply knowledge in support of UA Little Rock's administrative capability to administer financial aid;

• Exercise professional judgment, document rationale, and support evidence of decisions under 34 CFR of the Higher Education Act of 1965;

• Analyze information on various U.S. Department of Education databases to assist with problem resolution for students;

• Analyze various system-generated reports to verify the eligibility of students receiving aid under federal regulations, state law, and institutional policy, and then communicate effectively with students to explain eligibility and alternatives to amend situations of changed eligibility;

• Work flexible hours as needed 1) during peak work demands, 2) in order to provide financial aid presentations, and/or 3) to attend professional development activities;

• Work with students who have experienced a significant change in financial circumstances to determine the eligibility of a professional judgment;

• Walk students through the professional judgment process;

• Collect and review documents submitted for students' professional judgment requests;

• Exercise professional judgment to determine whether adjustments should be made to student financial aid applications;

• Update Banner accurately after approval of professional judgment requests;

• Prepare and lead dynamic and informative financial aid presentations to the campus, within the local community, and the state in support of access, affordability, and accountability (presentations may be off-campus and outside regular business hours);

• ​​Subscribe to federal updates for review of the Federal Register, Dear Colleague Letters, electronic announcements, and other sources of information to stay informed and immediately apply knowledge to daily responsibilities;

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of institutional, state, and federal financial aid policies, regulations, and law;

• Knowledge of computers and ability to accurately use software applications;

• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations with administrative capability;

• Understanding of Arkansas state financial aid programs, rules, and regulations;

• Ability to effectively communicate by listening to the customer (student, parent, faculty, staff, or other), hearing the need(s), and formulating a response within the interpretation of federal regulations, state law, and institutional policy;

• Provide accurate assistance and correctly interpret financial aid policy, regulations, and/or law and guide the individual to other departments or resources for further assistance as needed;

• Eligible to gain access to and understand how to navigate financial aid administrator websites and resources to assist with the administration of financial aid;

• Ability to effectively communicate in writing with correct grammar and accurate, detailed information;

• Ability to recognize that the student is the most important person on campus, not an interruption of our work, but the reason for it;

• Ability to maintain focus during peak work demands and support colleagues in a team environment;

• Ability to work together with a team serving a diverse student population;

• Ability to exhibit strong organizational skills;

• Ability to work flexible hours to provide presentations as needed and/or attend professional development activities;

• Must be self-motivated, creative, customer service-focused, and detail-oriented.

Candidates cannot have any federal student loans in default status or owe a federal grant repayment due to an over-award.

Additional Information:

$47,888Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Kimberly Herron
Associate Director of Financial Aid
[email protected]

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Sitting, Talking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Standing

Occasional Physical Activity:

Walking

Benefits Eligible:

Yes