Financial Aid Advisor

The Financial Aid Advisor, under the direction of the immediate supervisor, supports the Enrollment Management division’s mission to recruit and retain students through the leveraging of student financial aid. Provides comprehensive financial aid advising to the diverse array of both undergraduate and graduate students. Serves as the primary contact for students and families by providing customer service via in person and online counseling sessions, phone, email and multiple outreach events (including but not limited to all Admission’s recruitment events, University Orientation and traveling to various high schools to provide FAFSA completion). Utilizes professional judgment on a daily-basis to determine financial aid eligibility and renewal for the most at risk student populations while adhering to federal, state and university policies and procedures.

Advising

• Advise current and prospective students/families from all campus’, careers and special enrollment groups on the availability of financial aid applications, resources and options (approximately 80% of student pop.).
• Educates financial aid recipients on the financial aid process, policies and regulations that may result in adverse decisions.
• Routinely exercises sensitivity and professional judgment relative to confidential student and family financial matters.
• Works closely with the Office of the Bursar on a daily-basis to resolve outstanding balances and minimize university collections and deregistration numbers.
• Serve as a liaison to the Office of Admissions Territory Managers. As part of the University’s recruitment initiatives and strategic goals, take referrals, as well as, provide referrals to a designated set of Admissions Counselors providing a team-approach to all prospective students/families.
• Refers students to appropriate BGSU and non-BGSU support offices and/or organizations as needed to support student success and retention.
• Utilizes current and emerging technology and available data to complete essential financial aid duties, processes, and communications with students to support and foster retention, persistence, and success (e.g., CSS/MyBGSU, Queries, OnBase, AskSFA, U.S. Dept of Ed websites – COD, FPP, NSLDS, etc.)

• Responsible for coordinating the daily processing of one of the professional judgement programs and workflow.  Duties include spearheading communications with students who have either appealed or have been identified based on FAFSA data.  In addition, duties include assisting to maintain the web application, checklists and queries for the SFA Office.
• Utilizes professional judgment and serves as part of a committee responsible for the referral, collection of documentation, review of applications and decision-making to award and/or renew financial aid eligibility as it relates to Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals (SAP), Dependency Appeals (DAP), and Special Consideration Applications (SCAP).
• Collaborates with academic advisors and Firelands staff to establish baseline program standards and make referrals for academically at-risk students.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations and adhere to those regulations to ensure the university stays in financial aid compliance.

• Participates in all SFA outreach activities on campus.  This includes, but is not limited to, BGSU recruitment events (Preview Days, President’s Day, Falcon Fridays) and University Orientation, as well as, all financial aid sponsored workshops and training events for both student, faculty and staff.  Participation may include providing presentations, representing SFA at a booth and one-on-one counseling sessions with families.
• Participates in off campus outreach activities such as high school night presentations and FAFSA completion events.  Participation may include providing presentations and/or assisting families with their FAFSA and answering financial aid and BGSU specific questions.
• Serves as primary contact for the specific groups of students (e.g. International Programs and Education Abroad Office, eCampus students and staff).  Provides presentations and financial aid information to Education Abroad students on behalf of SFA; including creating and maintaining any written materials that can be used as a resource.

• Maintain current and accurate policies and procedures for all duties as assigned.
• Participate in NASFAA, MASFAA, OASFAA and other financial aid professional training opportunities on a regular-basis to stay informed and current on the most recent federal and state regulations.
• Other duties as assigned

The following Degree is required:

• Bachelor’s degree required

The following Degree is preferred:

• Degree in education, counseling, communications, psychology or sociology

 The following Experience is required:

• 1 year working in customer service or an administrative office as primary contact for customer interactions

The following Experience is preferred:

• Experience working in an administrative office of a higher education institution with direct student contact, preferred.

 The following License is required:

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with the University’s vehicle use policy.    

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must maintain an in-depth knowledge of federal, state and other agency laws and regulations that govern student financial aid programs (training provided)
• Must maintain an extensive working knowledge of SFA’s policies and business procedures/practices as well as maintain a reasonable understanding of selected policies, procedures and practices from offices that interact most closely with SFA
• Understanding of the functions of an institution of higher education, including recruitment/retention, academic and student affairs
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Active listening skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• High quality, compassionate and caring student-centered counseling skills
• Ability to interact professionally with individuals including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and representatives of external agencies
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality of information as required by federal law
• Must be able to accommodate flexible work schedule to attend various outreach activities (on occasion, evening and weekend work is required)
• Knowledge of computer applications including but not limited to:  Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, People Soft/CSS, an ability to learn and adopt other technologies, and comfort level to use computer database, word processing, spreadsheet programs and web-based applications
• Work in a team environment
• Motivated and willing to make decisions that will positively affect recruitment & retention

Flexible/Hybrid:  This is a full-time position located in Bowling Green, Ohio, which offers the option for a flexible/hybrid work schedule (remote/on-campus).

Application Deadline

The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however, for best consideration, applications should be provided by February 9, 2026.

Required Application Materials & Evaluation

• Experience must be fully documented on the official application.
• The application will be used to evaluate if candidates meet the minimum requirements for the position and for consideration when determining starting pay rate.
• Experience requirements are inclusive of relevant professional experience, or experience attained through relevant internships, co-ops, student employment positions, or graduate assistantships.

Uploads

• Required: Resume (for supplemental information only)
• Optional: Cover Letter

Essential Requirement: Work Authorization

BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Bowling Green State University is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to ensuring an equal employment opportunity for all applicants and encourage applications from all regardless of sex, race, veteran-status, disability, age, gender identity, genetic information, religion, or sexual orientation. EEOC Know Your Rights Poster: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421 or email ohr@bgsu.edu .

BGSU is an E-Verify employer.  If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents