Lead Financial Aid Advisor

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Lead Financial Aid Advisor. The advisor provides strategic leadership for the medical school's financial aid program, manages compliance, and directs financial aid strategy focused on student success and equity. This role oversees operations, collaborates across departments, and supports recruitment, retention, and student well-being through data-driven decision-making.

Highlights

Leads strategic financial aid policies aligning with access, affordability, and inclusion goals.
Advises senior leadership on medical education costs, student debt, and federal regulations.
Develops financial counseling, debt management education, and early intervention for at-risk students.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and reporting.
Manages financial aid office operations and mentors professional staff.
Collaborates with Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance, and Development offices.
Requires bachelor’s degree and 4+ years related experience; master’s degree and financial aid leadership preferred.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and web-based software; strong data analysis and communication skills required.
Salary range: $63,557 to $95,336 annually.
Department: SOMC Student Affairs within the School of Medicine Columbia.

Lead Financial Aid Advisor Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by June 6, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00276PO26
Job Family	Student Administrative Services
Job Function	Financial Aid
USC Market Title	Financial Aid Officer
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/177255
Job Level	P4 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)	Lead Financial Aid Advisor
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	School of Medicine Columbia
Department	SOMC Student Affairs
State Pay Range	G10
USC Market Range	MRH - $63,557 $79,446 $95,336
Anticipated Hiring Range	$63,557 $79,446 $95,336
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Student Services

About USC

About University of South Carolina	From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement	The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	The Lead Financial Aid Advisor provides strategic leadership and vision for all aspects of student financial assistance in support of the medical school’s educational mission, student success, and institutional priorities. Reporting to administrative leadership, the Lead Financial Aid Advisor serves as the principal advisor on financial aid strategy, student debt, and cost of attendance, ensuring regulatory compliance while advancing innovative, equity-driven approaches to financing medical education. The advisor leads a high-impact financial aid operation that integrates compliance excellence, data-informed decision-making, and proactive student engagement. This role plays a critical institutional leadership function in recruitment, retention, student well-being, and long-term workforce outcomes.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications	Master’s degree in job-related field and 4 or more years of experience in undergraduate or graduate financial aid or a related financial leadership role or other job-related experience.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Detail oriented, with the ability to work with various stakeholders to achieve a desired result. Self-motivated and able to work independently and carefully manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously with short deadlines in a high-volume environment. Interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. Ability to analyze data to produce reports and for assessment purposes. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with key employers, visitors, professional contacts, faculty, staff, and administration. Knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office and web-based software. Must demonstrate independent judgment and discretion with respect to matters of significance.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Strategic Leadership & Institutional Impact - Provides vision and strategic direction for the medical school’s financial aid enterprise, aligning financial aid policies and practices with institutional goals related to access, affordability, inclusion, and student success. - Advises senior leadership on national and institutional trends in medical education costs, student debt, federal regulations, and peer benchmarking, translating insights into actionable institutional strategies. - Leads long-range planning related to cost of attendance, tuition setting, and financial aid sustainability using financial modeling and data analytics. - Advocates for current and future financial aid resources, including institutional scholarships and innovative funding mechanisms, to support student access and minimize educational debt.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	Student-Centered Financial Strategy & Debt Management - Leads a comprehensive, proactive approach to financial counseling, debt management education, and financial literacy for applicants, students, and graduates across the medical education continuum. - Develops systems to identify students at risk of financial distress and implement early intervention strategies in collaboration with student affairs and academic leadership. - Guides the development of individualized financial aid packages that maximize benefit to students while supporting institutional priorities such as recruitment and diversity. - Provides oversight for counseling students experiencing significant financial hardship and determining appropriate institutional responses.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Financial Aid Policy, Compliance & Stewardship - Ensures full compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, including Title IV administration, satisfactory academic progress, enrollment status, and required reporting. - Recommends and implements institutional policies and procedures in response to evolving federal regulations and accreditation expectations. – Oversees the awarding, reconciliation, and stewardship of institutional scholarship, grant, and loan funds, ensuring transparency, equity, and fiscal responsibility. - Serves as the institutional authority on financial aid regulations and their implications for medical students, programs, and academic policies.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	20

Job Duty	Management & Operational Excellence - Oversees the day-to-day operations of the financial aid office, ensuring efficient, student-centered service delivery and continuous improvement. - Leads, mentors, and develops a professional staff, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and service excellence. - Utilizes data, assessment, and outcomes measures to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Job Duty	Collaboration, Partnerships & Innovation - Partners closely with Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance, Alumni Affairs, and Development to integrate financial aid considerations into enrollment management, curricular decisions, and student support strategies. - Collaborates with advancement and external partners to demonstrate student financial need and support the development of new scholarship and funding opportunities. - Represents the medical school at national forums and professional associations related to financial aid and medical education.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive	No
Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date	04/22/2026
Job Close Date	06/06/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by June 6, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/205279
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume
List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

Cover Letter

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Original Job Description