Financial Assistance Advisor

Position Title:     Financial Assistance Advisor/Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Department:       Financial Assistance

Reports to:         Director of Financial Assistance

Appointment:     Full-time; 40 hours per week (12-month position)

Status:               Exempt

Bradley University is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor or Assistant Director of Financial Aid to join the Office of Financial Assistance. This position serves as a key resource for students and families as they navigate the financial aid process and make decisions about financing a Bradley education.

The Financial Aid Advisor provides individualized counseling, reviews and administers financial aid, assists students and families with understanding their options, and helps remove financial barriers to enrollment and continued student success. The successful candidate will combine strong customer service and communication skills with attention to detail, sound judgment, and a commitment to administering financial aid accurately and in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.

As a member of Bradley's enrollment management team, the Financial Aid Advisor will collaborate closely with colleagues in Financial Assistance, Admissions, Student Financial Services, and other campus offices to provide a coordinated and student-centered experience.

The Financial Aid Advisor position requires access to federal financial aid systems. Federal Student Aid does not permit such access for anyone who is in default on a previously borrowed federal student loan. In order to ensure the Office of Financial Assistance can provide candidates with access to the necessary systems, confirmation of loan status will be required during the application process.

Essential Responsibilities

Student and Family Advising

• Counsel prospective students, current students, and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application requirements, financial aid offers, scholarships, grants, loans, work opportunities, and financing options.
• Explain financial aid information in a clear, approachable manner that helps students and families understand both their options and their responsibilities.
• Assist students and families with completing financial aid requirements, resolving outstanding issues, and identifying next steps.
• Provide proactive outreach to students with incomplete financial aid files or other issues that could create barriers to enrollment or continued attendance.
• Support students experiencing changing financial circumstances and provide guidance regarding available review and appeal processes.
• Deliver a high level of responsive, compassionate, and solutions-oriented service.

Financial Aid Administration

• Review student financial aid files and determine eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and private financial assistance in accordance with applicable regulations and University policies.
• Review FAFSA information and supporting documentation and resolve discrepancies or conflicting information.
• Exercise professional judgment within established regulatory and institutional guidelines when appropriate.
• Assist with verification, satisfactory academic progress, special circumstances, loan processing, and other financial aid functions as assigned.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation within financial aid and University systems.
• Monitor assigned student populations, reports, and workflows to identify outstanding requirements and potential issues.
• Protect confidential student and family information and maintain compliance with FERPA and applicable financial aid regulations.

Enrollment and Student Success

• Partner with Admissions and other enrollment colleagues to support prospective and admitted students throughout the enrollment process.
• Participate in recruitment and yield activities, including visit programs, admitted student events, financial aid presentations, and individual family appointments.
• Support retention efforts by helping current students identify and address financial issues that could affect their ability to continue at Bradley.
• Develop an understanding of Bradley's institutional scholarships, grants, financial aid policies, tuition and fees, and other resources available to students.
• Help identify recurring student questions or process barriers and recommend opportunities to improve communication and the student experience.

Campus Collaboration and Professional Development

• Build effective working relationships with campus partners, including Admissions, Student Financial Services, Registrar, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and other offices.
• Stay current on changes to federal and state financial aid regulations, professional standards, and emerging best practices.
• Participate in professional development and ongoing cross-training within the Office of Financial Assistance and the broader enrollment division.
• Assist with financial aid presentations, workshops, outreach programs, and campus events.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the University's enrollment and student-success goals.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly to students and families.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive student and family information.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and the ability to learn financial aid and student information systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Previous experience in financial aid, higher education, student services, enrollment management, banking, financial services, or a related field.
• Candidates with more than 3 years of collegiate financial aid experience will be considered for the Assistant Director title.
• Knowledge of federal and state student financial aid programs and regulations.
• Experience working with financial aid management or student information systems.
• Experience providing individualized advising or counseling to students and families.
• Experience with PowerFAIDS, Workday, Slate, or related higher education technology.
• Experience presenting information to groups or facilitating educational workshops.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A student-first approach to service and problem solving.
• The ability to balance empathy and flexibility with regulatory and institutional requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing financial information and student records.
• Initiative and willingness to take ownership of student questions through resolution.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Comfort working during periods of high student and family contact.
• Commitment to continuous learning in a regulatory environment that changes frequently.

Working Expectations

This position requires regular interaction with students, families, faculty, staff, and campus partners. Some evening or weekend work may be required during peak enrollment periods, recruitment programs, financial aid events, and other University activities.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and complete contact information for a minimum of three professional references with telephone numbers. 

Please submit all materials at the time of initial application.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) is filled.   

Employment with Bradley University is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. Must be able to access non-ADA compliant facilities.  

Bradley University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, FSA, HSA, and retirement plan options. Bradley also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees and dependents through the Tuition Remission program. Information regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.bradley.edu/offices/business/human-resources/benefits/

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students’ opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.

Bradley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented groups.