Organization Vision
uAspire imagines a day when all young people have the opportunity to reach their
full potential by graduating from college, regardless of their families’ financial resources or college experiences.
Organization Summary
uAspire is committed to ensuring that all young people have the financial
information and resources necessary to achieve their dreams of higher education. uAspire helps students and families overcome the financial barriers to a college education through free financial aid advice and advocacy. Founded in Boston in 1985, uAspire has provided expert financial aid advising to nearly 50,000 students across its four sites in Massachusetts as well as Miami, Florida. In 2013, thanks to critical support from the GreenLight Fund, uAspire expanded its college affordability advising programs to the San Francisco Bay Area. Through strategic partnerships with high schools, community organizations and local universities uAspire helps students find an affordable path to – and through – a postsecondary education.
uAspire supports students through three key program elements – Prepare, Afford, and Succeed:
- Prepare: uAspire engages 7th to 11th graders in classroom-based early college affordability workshops.
- Afford: uAspire helps 12th graders navigate the financial aid process through workshops and one-on-one sessions tailored to their postsecondary goals and personal circumstances.
- Succeed: uAspire provides ongoing affordability support and outreach to college students on their path to degree attainment.
Position Summary
uAspire Springfield Promise Program Financial Aid Advisors are on the front
line in helping the youth of Springfield afford their college education. Advisors participate in a variety of projects that support our high-impact model of supporting young people going on to college. This position requires a highly organized individual who is able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks, maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations, and who possesses the ability to handle confidential matters with the utmost discretion. The successful applicant will be someone who is excited about making a real impact in people’s lives, strives to put their learning into action, thrives on new challenges, and most of all, is eager to help broaden the impact of uAspire’s work to more of Springfield’s youth and their families.
Principal Responsibilities
- Provide financial aid advice, expertise and general financial information to Springfield high school students and college students through classroom presentations, small group seminars, individual meetings and college fairs
- Assist students in completing financial aid application forms (paper as well as Internet applications)
- Serve as students’ advocate in contacting college financial aid representatives to appeal financial aid awards or explain students’ special circumstances
- Assist students with completion of scholarship applications
- Proactively reach out to students to ensure adequate completion of the financial aid process
- Participate in uAspire Early College Affordability Awareness Program to help uAspire bring financial aid awareness to younger students
- Participate in uAspire Summer College Connect and Post-Secondary Program to help uAspire ensure that students enroll and graduate from college
- Maintain all records pertaining to contact with students
- Work collaboratively with school faculty and staff to share pertinent information and strategize about student progress
- Collaborate with external college uAspire organizations to conduct workshops focused on breaking down students’ misperceptions regarding college affordability and building their college aspirations
- Conduct financial aid presentations targeted to parents in school and community settings
- Represent uAspire at community events, college fairs, and open houses
- Perform administrative duties, including a high level of data entry as well as filing
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Embodiment of uAspire’s core values – Student-Centered, Collaborative, Excellent, Dedicated, and Systems-Focused
- Experience working with diverse high school and college-aged populations
- Working knowledge of Springfield community is highly desired
- Possess strong oral and written communications skills
- Advanced organizational skills and ability to plan and implement projects in a demanding, fast-paced environment
- Energetic, enthusiastic, and interested in learning within a growing, entrepreneurial organization
- Ability to work flexible hours that will include evenings and some weekends
- Possess strong group facilitation skills
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint – and Google Mail/Docs
- Knowledge of local community is desired
- Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
Compensation
Salary commensurate based on individual’s experience and education
How to Apply
Applicants should send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to jobs@uaspire.org, with subject line: ATTN: Erica Rose.
Interviews will begin in early April, with intended start date of April 22nd
The post Job Posting – Financial Aid Advisor, uAspire Springfield Promise Program appeared first on uAspire.