Financial Aid Advisor II

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

About The Department

The Office of Student Financial Aid at Iowa State University is committed to empowering over 85% of undergraduate students through the administration of more than $400 million in financial assistance annually. As a unit within the Division of Academic Affairs, our team helps students and families understand, apply for, and manage financial aid throughout their academic journey. We are driven by values of student success, innovation, collaboration, and respect. Our supportive work environment emphasizes personal and professional growth, with opportunities for training, development, and meaningful contributions to the university’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Guide students and families through financial aid options, applications, awards, scholarships, eligibility requirements, and policies.
• Provide individualized advising and financial literacy support.
• Handle in-depth financial aid processing to ensure students receive accurate and timely assistance.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while supporting the administration of federal, state, and private aid programs.
• Review student eligibility and adjust financial aid packages.
• Resolve account holds, monitor enrollment and withdrawal activity, and coordinate outside aid.
• Maintain federal financial aid systems such as Federal Student Aid, COD, and NSLDS.
• Provide individual advising and group presentations to help students and families better understand their financial aid and financial literacy resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
• Experience using Federal Student Aid, COD, NSLDS, or other financial aid systems.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Experience providing financial aid advising and counseling to students and families.
• Experience with financial aid processing, including eligibility review, award adjustments, account holds, and outside aid coordination.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Skills

• Student-focused and detail-oriented.
• Ability to navigate complex regulations while providing exceptional service to students and families.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental.
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa).
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellbeing program.
• WorkFlex options for flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work.

Schedule

• Full time.
• 12 months employed per year.
• One-year term position, with the potential for renewal based on funding availability (proposed end date: September 21, 2027).