Student Financial Center Advisor

Description:

Under the direction of the Cal Coast Student Financial Center Director, the Student Financial Center Advisor will strategically support retention initiatives related to student financial aid and student billing. The purpose of this position is to increase student success as it relates to a student’s financial obligations to the University in partnership with the Financial Aid Office, Student Account Services and Basic Needs/ECRT. This includes assisting students in assessing resources that can be used to cover outstanding balances due to the University, and tuition and fees going forward. This also includes working with other departments on campus to gather information and obtain resources that are available to students. The intent is to retain students through graduation by providing financial advice and other resources necessary in achieving that goal.This position is responsible for reaching out to groups of students in person, via social media, and other means to educate them about University financial deadlines including financial aid application deadlines, scholarship deadlines and student billing deadlines.When working with federal, state, and local agencies, departments within the university system, and community organizations, a considerable degree of tact and persuasiveness is required to achieve the desired results of understanding and/or cooperation.

Education and Experience

Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Excellent skills communicating with prospective students, current students, parents, high school counselors, and other student service personnel while maintaining tact and professionalism in difficult situations.
• Ability to provide clear and concise explanations to a student, parent, or colleague for the basis for decisions, and the details of the financial aid application process, academic progress requirements, etc.
• Knowledge of scholarship and financial aid related deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Ability to interpret and revise the needs analysis and financial aid award for individual students.
• Ability to read and interpret federal income tax transcripts and understand their relationship to the needs analysis process and federal verification requirements.
• Accurately assess a student's current and potential financial and academic circumstances, be responsive to the student’s unique situation, and provide appropriate recommendations for planning strategies.
• Experience working with the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Financial Aid (FA) Module to administer financial aid and scholarships.
• Experience working in a Financial Aid Department at a CSU and using CSU developed CMS Baseline modifications to the standard delivered PeopleSoft Campus Solutions FA module.
• Commitment to the core values and philosophy of student financial assistance (e.g., ensuring access to education for the economically disadvantaged) through work experience, education or other experience or activities.
• Manage multiple tasks in an environment of competing priorities through the use of effective organizational skills, successfully perform high volumes of detail-oriented tasks, and adjust to an extremely stressful, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and harmonious working relationships in circumstances that involve the denial of requests or the necessity to persuade others to accept a different point of view, while behaving professionally with tact, restraint and persuasiveness to achieve understanding and cooperation.
• Exercise independent professional judgment without benefit of guidelines, set policies or formulas, ensuring regulations and policies are followed while meeting the special needs of individual students.
• Ability to recognize potential problems and know when to consult with a manager on matters that have broader implications than can or should be dealt with independently.
• Ability to rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs at San Diego State University.
• Prepare and deliver informative, effective, and professional speeches/presentations, which include the use of PowerPoint software to present a professional image and message consistent with the values and mission of the University.