FINANCIAL AID ADVISOR III

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The Office of Student Financial Aid ( OSFA) manages and executes the financial aid operations, programs, and processes for the campus. OSFA oversees the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid provided to the UGA student body. With approximately 42 employees OSFA has responsibility for all financial aid received by the UGA student body in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work programs. OSFA annually administers in excess of $500 million in student financial aid for UGA students.

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Some evening or weekend hours may be needed. Some travel needed.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Prior experience working in Student Financial Aid

Assists the Assistant Director of Scholarships. Provides leadership and routinely assists the Scholarship Area counselors in accomplishing their daily duties. Serves as the Lead Counselor in scholarship processing and communicating with outside entities. Manages the OSFA Scholarship System and the OSFA Scholarship Listserv. Assists in training new staff and providing training to University Scholarship Liaisons. Counsels students and parents regarding requirements for Federal and State student financial aid programs, UGA and donor scholarships, and other student financial aid. Monitors student eligibility for Federal, State and Institutional student financial aid. Awards, cancels and revises student financial aid awards. Maintains knowledge of current student financial aid related regulations, policies, and procedures.

In depth knowledge of student financial aid related policies, procedures and regulations.
- Leadership skills or experience.
- Above average computer skills.
- Good analytical skills.
- Above average organizational and communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to work with various student/parent populations.
- Public speaking skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a large office staff, University personnel, the public at large and other Federal/State institutions.
- Ability to multi-task.
- Able to work well in a stressful environment.

Sit for extended periods of time.

Work evenings and weekends, as needed.

Driving as needed to perform job tasks

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

- Provides professional leadership to department and proactively assists colleagues.

- Provides assistance to the Assistant Director in training new staff and temporary workers.

- Serves as contact and subject matter expert in the absence of the Assistant Director.

- Completes special projects and tasks for the Assistant Director.

- Assists in managing the OSFA Scholarship system. Updates account names and numbers, fund numbers, users, departments and units within the system.

- Manages the OSFA Scholarship Listserv, as needed.

- Collaborates with other employees on inter-office committees regarding policies, procedures, formatting of documents, and training opportunities.

- Processes scholarship awards from other departments, the State, and outside sources according to regulations. Receives funds and notifications, records the information on student awards, adjusts other aid if necessary, and works with Student Accounts, as needed.

- Processes Charge to Accounts, Stipends, and Grant Fellowships, and adjusts other aid if necessary.

- Processes and works numerous and complex reports. These reports require the ability to interpret the necessary action required and that they are completed in a timely manner.

- Monitors student eligibility for certain scholarships by checking grade point averages, number of hours enrolled, degree program, and renews or cancels scholarships, as appropriate.

- Contacts various UGA departments, private organizations, and State agencies regarding problems with scholarship processing.

- Advises and answers questions from students and parents who call, visit, and e-mail the office regarding sources of and procedures for finding scholarships, as well as regulations for maintaining or renewing scholarships.

- Researches scholarship information from UGA departments and prepares the information to be placed on the online scholarship announcement, and sends information to other departments. Updates the website, as needed.

- Reconciles award discrepancies with Student Accounts, and works with UGA departments as needed to resolve student financial aid award issues.

- Maintains a working knowledge of the imaging system, Banner, and the OSFA Scholarship System.

- Completes scholarship applications for students from outside agencies with information on cost of attendance, need, and other aid received.

- Assists with summer incoming freshmen orientation sessions by distributing student financial aid related information, and answers questions from students and parents.

- Assists with presentations and student financial aid outreach events.

- Provides call center support, when needed.

- Performs other duties, as assigned.