Student Success Advisor

POSITION SUMMARY:    This position is responsible for providing student centered financial and academic counseling from prospective students through the student lifecycle.  This position will also ensure the delivery of effective and quality service to students in the following areas: financial aid eligibility, planning, and packaging, as well as course scheduling, attendance appeals and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.  This role will work in conjunction with admissions serving as both the Financial Aid Advisor and Academic Counselor in our “grad team” model.  Responsible for timely response to requests for information, at risk student interventions and referrals to University resources, and assisting prior students seeking to return within 60 calendar days from their prior attendance. This is done through adhering to Federal/State regulations for awarding financial aid, advising students of University’s policies and procedures, and collaborating with Enrollment, Faculty, Program Directors, and University Support Services on the student’s behalf.  This position provides comprehensive support services and serves as the primary advocate for the assigned student body, aimed to improve the student experience and retention to graduation.   KEY JOB ELEMENTS: 1. Assist students and parents with understanding and completing all forms and providing relevant documents related to financial aid. Assist with the completion of the FAFSA and review of the resulting ISIR.  Assign the appropriate budget to the student as well as ensure timely payment of the students’ aid.  Responsible for document collection and uploading to appropriate depository for future access as needed Assist with alternative means of financing any remaining balance after awarding eligible federal, state, or institutional aid    2.  Maintain accurate and compliant student records with complete forms and documents to ensure accurate and timely payment of aid.   3. Create financial plans for assigned students in compliance with institutional policies and Federal regulations, communicate the plan to students and parents, and effectively explain rights and responsibilities for each aid source.   4.  Demonstrate proficiency in timely processing and disbursement of aid.   5.  Develop course schedules for new, continuing, transfer and reentry students aligned with course sequencing in the curriculum and provide advisement focused on academic progress toward graduation in the shortest time possible for the student, as applicable to their individual situation.    6.  Maintain direct contact with assigned students via phone and e-mail; respond to student inbound communication within established timeframes   7.  Monitor student’s attendance, grades, academic progress, and financial responsibilities, and develop success plans for at-risk students, or those experiencing challenges, in collaboration with faculty, academic leadership and University support services.   8.  Demonstrate proficiency with understanding and communicating policies in the University Catalog, Student Handbook and Programmatic Handbooks as they relate to assigned students, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, Attendance Policies, Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policies, Conduct Policies and Appeals Procedures.  Provide guidance to assigned students for academic procedures such as grade challenges or appeals.   9.   Facilitate new student’s acclimation to the academic environment prior to the first class by reviewing the enrollment process, providing an overview of the online classroom and reviewing graduation progression options.  Audit student academic records regularly and determine progression towards and candidacy for graduation.   10.  Effectively access and perform assigned duties using the Student Information System, Learning Management System and relevant databases. 11.  Other duties as assigned by supervisor.   REQUIREMENTS: Master’s degree preferred.  Bachelor’s degree in a related degree required or associate’s degree with 3 years of federal or state financial aid or 5 years of related federal or state financial aid Previous experience working with, and technical knowledge of, student financial aid programs Academic advising or academic counseling experience preferred Customer Service experience preferred Strong basic computer software (MS Office) skills as well as exposure to more concentrated financial aid (Campus Vue/Campus Nexus preferred) Excellent customer service skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills Strong interpersonal skills with student and faculty populations Effective organizational and problem resolution skills. Ability to communicate and effectively act as a member of a team.   ENVIRONMENT:                                             The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.                  South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.