Financial Aid Advisor I

Job Summary

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge and expertise in the area financial aid services available to students? Are you passionate about making an impact and empowering others with life changing opportunities? If so, Hawkeye Community College has a great opportunity for you!

The Financial Aid Office is looking for a full time Financial Aid Advisor I to join their team. The goal of the Financial Aid office is to make it financially possible for all qualified students to attending Hawkeye Community College. Financial Aid programs are available to assist students in meeting the difference between potential resources and college expenses.

As the Financial Aid Advisor I, your role would be to educate students on the different ways they can help finance their education, are an instrumental team member in the dissemination, awarding and maintenance of the scholarship program; as well as other types of aid administration at Hawkeye Community College.

Hawkeye Community College is a comprehensive community college focused on meeting the needs of the community by providing quality, affordable learning experiences for a diverse student body through our Adult Learning Center, Business and Community Education Department as well as through more than 50 career and technical programs and liberal arts transfer programs. Hawkeye Community College’s mission is about empowering students, strengthening businesses and enriching communities with a vision to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Counsels and assists students and parents with completing all financial aid forms including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

• Provides information on scholarship and loan options, alternative financing and debt management.

• Accesses the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) to research a student’s cumulative loan debt to determine eligibility.

• Reads, researches, and interprets all government regulations and requirements to determine student eligibility compliance.

• Assists with the verification and correction of student files/data.

• Conveys and interprets application for financial aid, financial aid requirements, and financial aid policies to staff, parents, prospective students, and the general public.

• Assists with the training of financial aid customer service staff and coverage of front desk duties.

• Assists with in-person and virtual group presentations to include Mandatory Orientation and Registration Experience (MORE), Exit Counseling, Experience Hawkeye Visit Days (EHVD), College 101/College Experience and general financial aid sessions/presentations.

• Serves as liaison with federal and state agencies, financial institutions, campus offices, high school counselors and administrators, and other college/university administrators as needed.

• Schedules and conducts seminars and workshops. Prepares materials for workshops including applications, workshop handouts and presentation materials.

• Oversees and maintains the internal scholarship program.

• Gathers and evaluates all outside scholarship information received to determine which ones to publish on Scholarship Universe system.

• Partners with Business Services and Foundation Office to record and reconcile all sponsorships and scholarships.

• Conducts loan exit counseling sessions in groups and individually. Sends exit counseling materials as needed.

• Assists with the development and presentation of the Responsible Borrowing (RBS) Program and student loan delinquency efforts.

• Participates in campus committees as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Communications, Education, Counseling or a related field and one (1) year relevant experience; OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal five (5) years.

• Knowledge of financial aid terminology and procedures.

• Demonstrated analytical skills to be able to reconcile financial aid funds.

• Demonstrated ability to learn a variety of computerized office systems to package financial aid, scholarships and process loans.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in presentations and one-on-one with students and parents.

• Demonstrated ability to work a flexible schedule, evenings, and weekends.

• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse student population, faculty, staff, and the general public.

• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.

• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and video conferencing technology.

• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience presenting to varied audiences.

• Experience creating marking materials.

Working Conditions

Anticipated schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. Some evenings and weekends may be required (including varied shifts, off hours and/or off campus).

Work is performed either in or a combination of an office setting, classroom setting using technology. Requires good hand-eye coordination including visual acuity to use a keyboard and read technical information; arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp. Sit, stand, bend, lift and move frequently during working hours. During course of day, interact with students, faculty and staff in person, by telephone and computers.

Employment Status

Full-time, hourly position with comprehensive or competitive benefits program including health, dental, vision, life, and LTD insurance, a Section 125 plan for medical and dependent care expenses; holiday, personal, sick, and vacation leave; tuition reimbursement; and a choice of retirement programs—IPERS (defined benefit) or TIAA (defined contribution).

Application Procedure

• Complete an online application at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/employment

  • Submit/upload a cover letter addressing the following:

    • Describe your knowledge of and/or experience with financial aid. Include how many years of experience as well as your financial aid experience regarding customer service and with giving presentations.

    • Describe responsibilities you have had in meeting deadlines, developing and scheduling multiple projects, and organizing your work.

    • Describe your computer skills as well as working knowledge of software programs and experience managing on-line platforms.

    • Share your experience providing information and assistance to the general public, and if you have experience in an educational setting as well as working with diverse populations.

  • Submit/upload a resume.

  • Submit/upload 3 professional references with a minimum of 1 being from a current/past supervisor.

• Submit an online application and all required materials by Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

All application materials must be submitted by Sunday, February 5, 2023 by 11:59 PM CST.

Hawkeye Community College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to equity and diversity in its educational services and employment practices: hawkeyecollege.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/equal-opportunity. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex; race; age; color; creed; national origin; religion; disability; sexual orientation; gender identity; genetic information; or actual or potential parental, family, or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices. Veteran status is also included to the extent covered by law. Any person alleging a violation of equity regulations shall have the right to file a formal complaint. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Equity Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator for employees, 319-296-4405; or Title IX Coordinator for students, 319-296-4448; Hawkeye Community College, 1501 East Orange Road, P.O. Box 8015, Waterloo, Iowa 50704-8015; or email equity-titleIX@hawkeyecollege.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone number 312-730-1560, fax 312-730-1576, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

If any applicant is in need of a reasonable accommodation in completing the application process, please notify a member of Human Resource Services.