Financial Aid Advisor

Pueblo Community College is not able to provide sponsorship for applicants who do not currently have the legal right to work in the United States or require transfer of a visa.

Must be a resident of the State of Colorado or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Pueblo Community College Statement:Pueblo Community College embraces continuous improvement and has adopted it as its culture and as a necessary part of every job. Our job descriptions incorporate and utilize the principles and tools of continuous improvement found in the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Open Pathways model. The Open Pathways is unique in that its improvement component, the Quality Initiative, affords institutions the opportunity to pursue improvement projects that meet their current needs and aspirations.

The list of functions on this job description is not exhaustive and other functions may be added at the discretion of Pueblo Community College or the employees supervisor. Permanently added tasks shall be reviewed by Human Resources for appropriate position classification and compensation.

This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.

Department PurposeThe Financial Aid Department provides institutional, state, and federal funding to students to assist their pursuit of a higher education.

Position Summary
The Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for providing support in the areas of assisting students in applying for and understanding the requirements of financial aid. This position will have primary responsibility for coordinating the student loan program to include certifying loans, ensuring student compliance with loan requirements such as entrance and exit loan counseling, resolving loan issues, and monthly reconciliation of loan funds.
This position will be required to complete mandatory FSA and NASFAA trainings and will receive NASFAA credentialing in an area of their job description (or be enrolled in a future online course depending on timing of courses) within 6 months of start date in order to develop specialized financial aid expertise. This position requires fingerprinting every 5 years, according to Federal mandate.
In accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes 24-50-135, this position has been exempted from the State Personnel System.

Job Duties

Essential Functions

• Coordinates the student loan program to include certifying loans, ensuring student compliance with loan requirements such as entrance and exit loan counseling, resolving loan issues, and monthly reconciliation of loan funds.
• Coordinates the default management effort to include developing procedures to identify and contact at risk borrowers, present options for resolutions, and provide information and counseling to student loan borrowers.
• Resolves data integrity issues and discrepancies within the system, and work with outside agencies to help resolve student loan issues.
• Partners with Deans to address default trends in their areas.
• Pulls completed loan entrance counseling and master promissory note lists from the Common Origination and Disbursement website. Codes these requirements as complete in the students file in Banner.
• This position will also be responsible for verification of student financial aid files and certification of student loan applications following Department of Education regulations.
• Assists students in the processing of financial aid applications, counseling students concerning financial aid procedures, application deadlines, satisfactory academic progress requirements, effects of enrollment changes, etc.
• Verifies student financial aid data by reviewing submitted information for completeness and accuracy according to financial aid regulations.
• Makes corrections to student data using Banner computer system and/or "FAA Access to CPS on the Web".
• Obtains and review daily and weekly reports of processes to ensure students' aid is compliant with regulations.
• Records and monitors all additional financial resources received by the students and verify eligibility to assure awards do not exceed need.
• Provides specialized financial aid expertise or guidance to other academic support professionals based on knowledge of Federal and State regulations.

Additional Functions

• Works independently with little supervision or as part of a team.
• Communicates effectively with students, colleagues, and others.
• Interacts professionally and respectfully with students, colleagues, and others.
• Assesses individual and department work processes and recommends improvements.
• Complies with System and College protocols and departmental procedures.
• Obtains and maintains proficiency with required systems and equipment.
• Maintains confidentiality of student and employee information as required.
• Completes all required compliance training within the established timeline.
• Serves on committees and other groups as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution.

Experience:

• Two or more years of progressively responsible financial aid experience.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Special knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of Federal and State regulations pertaining to student financial aid, including SURDS and FISAP.
• Financial aptitude.
• Knowledge of Colorado fiscal regulations, rules, and laws regarding student records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.