Job Posting – Financial Aid Advisor, Miami

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.

*Formerly known as ACCESS, uAspire changed its name in September 2012 to better align the organization’s name with its dual focus on helping students gain access to and succeed in college.

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 provides free financial aid advice and advocacy to students and families in Miami and Massachusetts, helping them to overcome the financial barriers to a college education. Since 1985, uAspire has provided financial aid advising to nearly 50,000 students. Through strategic partnerships with high schools, community organizations and local universities uAspire helps academically prepared students find an affordable path to – and through – a postsecondary education.

Position Summary

uAspire Financial Aid Advisors are on the front line in helping the youth of Miami 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 Miami’s youth and their families.

Principal Responsibilities

• Provide financial aid advice, expertise and general financial information to Miami high school 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 access 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
• Provide financial aid assistance to college students
• Perform administrative duties, including a high level of data entry as well as filing

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required
• Experience working with diverse high school and college-aged populations
• Working knowledge of local communities 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
• Holds a valid state driver’s license and can drive
• Bilingualism in Spanish and/or Creole is a plus

Compensation

Salary commensurate based on individual’s experience and education.