Financial Aid Advisor

The Financial Aid Advisor – Program Administration administers assigned federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs with a primary focus on compliance, eligibility determination, accurate processing, and systems management. This position ensures adherence to Title IV regulations and institutional policies while supporting operational efficiency and program integrity.

In addition to primary program administration responsibilities, this position serves as a scheduled backup to the Financial Aid Advisor (front-facing) function several days per week. During assigned coverage periods, the Advisor provides direct student and family counseling through phone, email, and in-person interactions and may assist with orientations or presentations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• Strong customer service and communication skills

• Effective written and oral communication skills

• Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
  
  • Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
  • SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
  • A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
  • (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
  • (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
  • (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
  • (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
  • (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
  • Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
  • Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field

• One to three years of recent experience administering Title IV financial aid

• In-depth knowledge of Title IV federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations

• Strong professional written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with Banner/OASIS, BDMS Imaging, Microsoft Office Suite, FAA Access to CPS Online, COD, NSLDS, ELMOne, and other relevant financial aid systems

Additional Requirements

• Ability to access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS); must not have a history of student loan default

• Ability to handle sensitive financial information with discretion and integrity

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with standard physical demands typical of an administrative environment

• Ability to manage high-volume interactions during peak financial aid processing periods

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.