Financial Aid Advisor

Open until Filled. Priority consideration for applications received by February 17, 2025.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Advisor independently completes routine and non-routine processes with a high level of efficiency and accuracy, and explains processes to students, staff and the public.  This position is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of a program(s) including pertinent regulatory guidelines from primary source documents, as well as institutional and internal procedures.  The position provides training for staff, and makes policy recommendations.

Highline College is looking to fill key program roles in SAP, Scholarships, R2T4, and others.  The college will hire up to 3 qualified individuals from this applicant pool, assigning individuals to programs as best serves the needs of the college and with input from the successful candidates.

This position is an at-will, salaried overtime-eligible position.   

After completing training, successful candidates will be eligible to work a hybrid schedule of on campus and remote in accordance with both college policy and office needs, currently 3 days on campus, 2 days remote. This position will cover the evening shift on campus, currently Tuesdays from 5-6pm.Reporting directly to the Director of Financial aid, this position will:

• Provide consumer information regarding financial aid programs at the Financial Aid Customer Service Counter, entry services, workshops, appointments, over the telephone, by email, and on a drop in basis to students, staff, and external agencies;
• Manage a financial aid program(s) such as SAP, Scholarships, Return of Title IV, and other functions;
• Perform full-service functions related to all aspects of the Financial Aid programs including, but limited to, determining eligibility for student financial aid programs, awarding aid, and reconciling Federal, State, and Institutional accounts;
• Determine and monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress status and update records accordingly;
• Counsel students, verify applicant data, determine financial need, and award financial aid funds;
• Provides advising about available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements and the application process to students and parents; 
• Analyzes and evaluates financial aid eligibility for students;

• Provides relevant financial aid related support to students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services;
• Monitors financial aid progress and documentation for students. For students needing assistance completing their file, provides additional follow up advising as needed;
• Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided;
• Exercise professional judgement to determine if adjustments should be made; makes award adjustments and recalculates on less complex cases as appropriate;
• Review federal regulations and makes recommendations on office policy and procedures;
• Conducts financial aid workshops on and off campus and through Zoom;
• Assist the Director in completing federal, state, and institutional surveys and reports;
• Collaborates with multiple funding service providers.

Ability to:

• Use computer-based Financial Aid Management systems such as PeopleSoft, Banner or FAM;
• Accurately and efficiently complete a broad range of student aid processes and procedures without assistance;
• Advise students on an individual or group basis on all aspects of financial aid;
• Handle interpersonal interactions, including challenging students, parents and others;
• Relate effectively with a wide diversity of students, faculty, staff and community members with sensitivity, tact, patience, and respect;
• Use the Microsoft Office Suite effectively, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and OneNote;
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a wide range of individuals using the English language.

Required skills:

• Strong computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, MS Teams, and Outlook;
• Strong typing skills (minimum 40 words per minute);
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail.

Qualifications: 

• Associate’s degree; AND
• Successful candidate must agree to complete Bachelor’s level degree within 3 years of hire date.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; AND
• 1 years of financial aid or student funding experience;

• Experience working with, or in, other higher education offices;
• Ability to speak multiple languages, especially Spanish, Pashto, Dari or other Middle Eastern languages, Somali and other Ethiopian languages;
• Experience working with databases;
• Extremely strong typing skills (50 words per minute);
• Experience with Microsoft’s Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote software, as well as Zoom.
  
  
  

Our college:

Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges here. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and many other Coast Salish tribes. At Highline we are proud of our diversity. 80% of enrollees are students of color and speak over 150 languages. We also have an active LGBTQ population.

Our Commitment:

Highline prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values as well as our Land and Labor Acknowledgment. We are proud to be one of the most diverse colleges in the state and stand committed to the well-being of our global community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Highline offers a unique variety of affinity groups for employees to join including the Faculty and Staff of Color Group and LGBTQ Task Force. We honor and value the dignity of all individuals and encourage all qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Benefits:

Highline College offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement Systems. Additionally, we offer ample paid time off, as well as hybrid work opportunities for many positions.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your online application must include the following to be considered complete:

1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;

2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for the position;

3. A one-page response to the Supplemental Question.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• National Criminal Background Check may be required.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highline

NEED APPLICATION HELP?
Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.

HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Highline College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff, as well as our student population. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identity diversity. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

TITLE IX POLICY
Highline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/
The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.    

Salary : $60,000 - $67,000