Scholarship Advisor
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Financial Aid Advisor works as a team member with the other Financial Aid Advisors to deliver high quality service to students and their families by providing services and resources to help meet their educational goals and financial obligations to the university. Some weeknight/weekend and holiday work is required. The Advisor will travel to present and/or attend financial aid workshops and conferences.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Financial Aid Advisor develops a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional aid topics to counsel students and parents about receiving financial aid and scholarships at SMU. This position administers, coordinates, and reconciles various types of scholarship awards and assists in the awarding of all "outside" scholarships including National Merit, Gates Millennium, ROTC, United Methodist, etc. External or "outside" scholarships totaled over $3.5 million in aid year 2023. The Financial Aid Advisor provides professional advising service for undergraduate and/or graduate students. The Financial Aid Advisor is instrumental in the development of financial aid and scholarship programs, including event planning, and will contribute to office policy and procedures associated with programs in which they are involved. Contributes to enrollment goals, access and inclusion with a student-centered approach.

Essential Functions:

• The Financial Aid Advisor works with prospective and continuing students, and members of the SMU community in a personalized way on the financial aid application process, eligibility, need analysis, awards, disbursement, federal/state institutional policy, and the rights and responsibilities of receiving aid. Works with SMU students to craft a financial plan to make SMU affordable.
  
• Serves as a subject matter expert for financial aid topics including: cost of attendance, federal and institutional need analysis, award package, types of aid, receiving outside resources, payment options, financing options, billing, disbursement dates, withdrawal, re-admit, deadlines, financial aid policy and procedures, and the responsibilities of receiving financial aid.
  
• Award and processes "outside" scholarships including National Merit, Gates Millennium, ROTC, United Methodist, etc. As necessary, identify candidates for specific awards and request any required documentation to determine award eligibility. Oversee the timely and proper processing of outside scholarships to ensure that they are applied appropriately to the student account.
  
• Assesses a family's ability to pay for education expenses by evaluating income and assets reported on the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE. The Financial Aid Advisor is an expert in the area of need analysis, both federal and institutional methodologies, ability to explain complex financial aid calculations and results, while also providing the rationale for families to easily understand.
  
• The Financial Aid Advisor is routinely responsible for reviewing current financial circumstances of SMU families and applying professional judgment for special circumstances appeal cases for which they are assigned. Contacting students and families directly to inform them of Financial Aid Appeals Committee decision regarding changes to financial aid eligibility or dependency status.
  
• Participate in financial aid presentations for the campus, high schools, community events and college nights. Serve and contribute as a member of departmental committees including the Communications Committee, Forms Committee, Scholarship Appeal Committee and etc. Participate in strategically managing workload volume. Assist with other Enrollment Services areas as needed.
  
• The Financial Aid Advisor must actively keep up to date on state and federal regulations and internal policies and procedures in order to ensure accurate and efficient interpretation of information to ensure program compliance. The Must be able to handle numerous complex tasks with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment. Constant collaboration and responsiveness with campus partners is expected.
  
• This position includes interchangeable undergraduate and graduate caseload by school when deemed necessary and as demand is identified. The duties will be the similar for awarding except no CSS Profile will be required for GR. The FA Advisor position advises an assigned caseload of graduate and professional students on availability of and requirements for financial aid resources.
  
• The Financial Aid Advisor works as a team member with the other Financial Aid Advisors to deliver high quality service to students and their families. Some weeknight/weekend and holiday work is required. The Advisor will travel to present and/or attend financial aid workshops and conferences. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of a year (1) year of experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate general knowledge of financial aid processes, guidelines and procedures. Candidate with experience with CSS Profile is desired. Candidate with expertise in federal and institutional need analysis is a preferred. The candidate must also demonstrate the ability to interpret and analyze income and assets, and knowledge of professional judgment techniques. Candidate with PeopleSoft or similar student information system knowledge is preferred. Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office and utilizing virtual meeting softwares.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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