Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experience. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.
Who We Are
The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs: grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assist students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.
What We Want
Scholarships & Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor II who will be responsible for coordinating scholarships and financial aid awarding student-athletes in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Compliance and the Department of Athletics compliance team, in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, SEC Conference, and University rules and regulations to ensure student athletes receive only financial aid for which they are eligible. This position will serve as primary liaison to University or other organizations relating to student athlete financial aid eligibility and will provide counseling and information on scholarship and student financial aid to currently enrolled and prospective students and their parents.
The ideal candidate has a solid foundation in the eligibility for and administration of federal and state financial aid programs, and enjoys working with college students to help them understand and access financial aid resources. We are looking for a detail-oriented individual who is passionate about both compliance and providing excellent customer service. This individual should also be an excellent team player and willing to maintain a strong relationship with contacts in the Athletics department.
What You Need to Know
_ Salary Range: _ $46,500/annually
_ Cover Letter & Resume: _ A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.
Other Requirements and Factors: Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 - Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.
Requires some evening and weekend work, as well as travel.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
One year in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student veterans services or related experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation.
Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs.
Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization.
Good interpersonal communication skills.
Must be literate in the English language and able to comprehend, give and follow both written and verbal instructions.
Ability to organize and make decisions.
Ability to relate well with a student population.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with all customers.
Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Customer Service skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
More than one year of experience in student financial aid or advising experience at a college level. Program management experience.
Background in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students.
Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office.
Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations.
Background in general office conditions with much time spent in contact with students.
Ability to develop and make presentations.
Knowledge and experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention.
Essential Duties/Tasks
ATHLETIC AID ADMINISTRATION
Maintains knowledge of NCAA, Southeastern Conference (SEC), and university rules and regulations regarding student athletic financial aid.
Ensures communication and enforcement of rules and regulations concerning financial aid for student-athletes.
Manages, monitors, and maintains student athlete grant-in-aid data/reports/tracking/sport lists.
Monitors Compass regularly to ensure student athletes are properly enrolled and maintain eligibility to receive athletic and non-athletic financial aid.
Reviews honorary academic awards/scholarships, verifies donor/student qualifications, determines if sources are countable to the student athletes, financial aid limits and adjusts grant-in-aid accounts accordingly.
Reviews and posts institutional and external scholarships for academic eligibility standards as required by NCAA, in conjunction with Athletics Compliance.
Reviews online student athlete scholarship eligibility information intake forms and corresponds with donors to obtain information pertinent to student eligibility.
Participates in monitoring Federal Pell grants, loans, and other sources of student financial aid; determines if sources are countable to the student athletes' financial aid limits and adjusts grant-in-aid accounts accordingly.
Coordinates posting of Non-resident tuition waivers for eligible student athletes receiving full athletic grants-in-aid (in consultation with Athletic Compliance).
Administers student athlete specific scholarship funds.
Oversees payment, posting, and tracking of Student Aid Opportunity Funds.
Works with Athletic Compliance on report submission.
Collaborates in preparation of reports as required by NCAA, SEC and the University administration, to include working with Athletic Compliance in preparing/submitting the annual end of year report.
Submits institutional payments to student accounts via TWAPMTS/IDTs.
Reviews and processes Blue Lists and information provided in FrontRush software, including appropriate establishment of student athlete records in Compass.
Reviews, audits, and enters the amounts of grant-in-aid, both institutional and outside aid into the NCAA Compliance Assistant software.
Maintains the Compliance Assistant automated reporting process in collaboration with EIS.
Assists in researching rules, regulations, and peer programs.
Assists in making recommendations as well as developing and implementing new or changes to processes or programs.
May serve on student athlete reduction/cancellation appeals committee.
May attend workshops, training, and conferences related to student athlete compliance.
Works with Director to ensure PPM is updated and that public information is up-to-date and accurate.
Develops, obtains approval, and implements university and department policies, procedures, and forms (if any).
May provide training to other SFAID and Aggie One Stop staff on student athlete programs and services as warranted.
STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISING
Advises on all student athlete financial aid processes.
Works in collaboration with Director and the Department of Athletics compliance team to ensure accurate and timely posting and information.
Serves as primary contact for student athletes, using discretion and independent judgment in considering FAFSA information change requests, Requests for Dependency Status Changes, and Cost of Attendance revisions.
Maintains current knowledge of TAMU processes for advising and processing aid as it affects student athletes.
Advises students, parents, and university personnel regarding athletic aid in-person and by written, telephone, and email correspondence.
Attends athletic Team meetings and new athlete orientation to review financial aid programs.
Assists campus units and athletics staff with prospective student athletes and in their financial aid questions as they transition to becoming TAMU students.
GENERAL FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP ADVISING
Uses discretion and independent judgement to advise and counsel students, parents, and/or prospective students in solving their educational financial problems through scholarships, loans, grants, employment, and financial counseling.
Responds to questions and counseling needs in-person and by written, phone, and e-mail means from currently enrolled students, prospective students, and parents.
Uses independent judgement to provide support to colleges and departments as needed.
Reviews student files, collects supporting documentation, and makes adjustments.
Awards, revises, and/or approves financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines.
Assists in developing and revising financial aid consumer information material, publications and brochures for currently enrolled students, prospective students and their parents, colleges, departments, and university use.
Participates in office work groups.
Provides assistance to staff to ensure that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures.
Attends weekly department training.
Participates in the review, revision and interpretation of policies and procedures for general financial aid, scholarships, and specialized programs.
Provides assistance and guidance to other financial aid staff to ensure that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures.
May work with industry counterparts for sharing best practices, developing, and implementing procedures and forms that can be used system wide.
Assists with the semi-annual scholarship application testing.
Assists with annual scholarship reception.
Provides assistance in scholarships area for daily processing when needed.
Attends local or state workshops and conferences as applicable or required; Occasional travel may be required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPLIANCE
Participates in review, revision, and interpretation of complex rules, regulations, procedures, and policies relating to general financial aid, scholarships, and team specialty area(s). Participates in departmental work groups.
Why Texas A&M University?
We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.
Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.