Position Title: Financial Aid Advisor,Univ

Employee Classification: Financial Aid Advisor,Univ

College/Division: GRCC Grants CC

Department: 950850-GRCC STUDENT SERVICES CTR

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Grants Community College

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Classification Summary:
Provides support and guidance as a student's single point of contact for all matters related to financial aid opportunities, including but not limited to federal grants, loans, work study, and state, institutional and private scholarships. Follows federal and state regulations and NMSU policies and procedures in the review and analysis of financial aid applications. Acts as an advisor to students, potential students and families, enforces regulations and policies, serves on appeal committee, creates academic plans for students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues and recommends solutions on how to improve their status. Effectively presents federal, state and scholarship aid information to individuals, small and large groups. Leads policy research, implementation, documentation, and training for entire NMSU-system.

Classification Standard Duties:
Meets with students, prospective students, families and community groups to provide information on all available federal, state and scholarship funds, eligibility criteria for each and the application procedures. Perform need analysis according to federal Title IV methodology, review and verify accuracy of applications and complete the packaging of awards for eligible applications. Revise existing awards to reflect changes in eligibility or allowable budget adjustments. Exercise professional judgement in adjusting a student's application to accommodate documented, qualifying special circumstances. Maintains proactive contact with students and creates solutions to potential setbacks that may affect student retention and works collaboratively with other departments to address and/or resolve issues. Participates in the development, implementation, documentation and training of departmental procedures, as appropriate. Conducts student orientations, entrance and exit interviews in accordance with federal, University and agency guidelines.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience: No previous work experience required.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE: Basic knowledge of financial aid programs.; SKILLS: Demonstrated skill in personal computing, including Microsoft Office products. Research and interview techniques for the purpose of recording, classifying and interpreting factual information.; ABILITIES: To utilize electronic calendaring functions, access on-line student services forms and academic programs. To provide financial aid information and advice to a diverse student, prospective student, family and community population. To interpret and apply federal, state, institutional and private rules and regulations. To build and maintain excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students and general public. To exercise professional judgement in line with federal and state regulatory guidelines.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Acts as the main point of contact for students and families regarding financial aid opportunities, including federal grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships from state, institutional, and private funding sources. Ensures that financial aid applications meet federal and state regulations, as well as NMSU policies. Advises students with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) issues, creates and offers academic plans and strategies to help improve their academic standing, and serves as lead member of appeal committee. Prepares and presents information on federal, state, and scholarship aid to individuals and groups.
Meets with students, families, and community members to provide comprehensive information about available financial aid, eligibility criteria, and the application process. Conducts need analysis in line with federal Title IV guidelines, verifies application accuracy, and processes award packages for eligible students. Revises awards based on changes in eligibility or budget adjustments and exercises sound professional judgment as needed. Maintains ongoing communication with constituents, providing solutions to potential retention challenges, and works closely with other departments to address and resolve issues. Assists in developing, implementing, documenting, and training on Student Services departmental procedures. Conducts entrance and exit interviews in accordance with federal, University, and agency guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Janie Gutierrez, 505-287-6625, janieg61@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.