On-Ground Financial Aid Advisor

Welcome to Career Opportunities at Lindenwood University.

PLEASE READ: For all applications, please include your resume and cover letter. You may skip the “Quick Apply” page by simply clicking “Next” at the bottom of the page. When you arrive at the “Experience” page, you may upload all desired documents using the upload box labeled “Resume/CV.” This is the appropriate box to upload all documents.

Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee:

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.   
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

Job Title: On-Ground Financial Aid Advisor       

Division: Enrollment and Marketing

Evaluation Group: Staff

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Online Team Lead, Financial Aid

Positions Supervised: N/A

Job Summary

The on-ground financial aid advisor is responsible for effective and compliant administrative support of various federal, state, and institutional financial aid scholarships, grants, and loans. The advisor position is expected to work effectively with the cross-functional teams to administer its programs. The advisor position is responsible for organizing financial aid and payment methods for students and families and is expected to provide outstanding customer service and counseling while also ensuring students and families complete requirements to satisfy their financial obligations.
 

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Initiates outreach to assist families in completing their financial aid files for awarding and disbursement; assists with submission of paperwork for professional judgements 

• Provides skilled advising for students and parents via all communication channels, including email, text, phone, website, and virtual platforms

• Counsels students and parents regarding all financing opportunities, including scholarships, grants, loans, student employment, financial liabilities, and other payment options

• Completes verification, resolution of C codes, conflicting information, and comment codes to determine the eligibility of financial aid applicants

• Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided

• Identifies necessary financial aid changes, as well as fee adjustments, based on enrollment fluctuations, etc.

• Follows up with students to ensure timely and accurate bill payment; works with students to resolve unpaid balances

• Participates in workshops and professional development within the Student Financial Services (SFS) team and with external agencies

• Assists in the preparation of files for audits

• Offers ideas and suggestions for improving student financial counseling experiences
   

Service Excellence

• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence

• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values

• Works with students and families to troubleshoot financial aid and payment issues

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

• Reviews, sends, and tracks timely and accurate communications

• Coordinates student follow-up including, but not limited to, communications after aid changes and billing updates

• Works with internal and external constituents to resolve aid processing, certification, and disbursement issues 

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in financial aid or student accounts receivables

• Experience with student financial services model preferred
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform this job competently.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

• Ability to coordinate with other departments

• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students by demonstrating strong public speaking and interpersonal skills

• Ability to identify needs or concerns of others, determine potential solutions, and resolve or redirect when appropriate

• Highly organized with the ability to participate in multiple projects simultaneously

• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality

• Ability to use good judgment and think critically

• Knowledge of general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and financial aid proprietary applications (e.g., Workday, Common Origination and Disbursement [COD], and National Student Loan Data System [NSLDS])

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions. Please click here to view Lindenwood University’s flexible work designation descriptions.

• On-Ground

• Occasional weekend, evening work, and travel may be required

• Considerable phone and computer time, utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) system

• Designated, quiet, distraction-free workspace with reliable, high-speed internet and camera for video calls

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time

• Ability to travel for on- or off- campus events

• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees.  Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.