Financial aid advisers are people who work at a school or other facility and offer advice to students and parents regarding financial aid. These advisers often make recommendations on what types of financial aid a student should look for and may help students in finding opportunities they might otherwise miss. They can help students with understanding the different types of financial aid available and how each type must be repaid. Financial aid advisers also work with students who have completed their education and are working to repay their loans, often with scheduling payments or helping students apply for deferments.
While most financial aid advisers work at colleges and universities, some may also provide assistance to students through nonprofit associations or government agencies. These advisers typically help students navigate the numerous forms and databases that compile different types of financial aid available for students in different countries. Financial aid advisers can assist students with every stage of the financial aid process, from filling out initial applications or other required forms, to signing acceptance letters, and determining how much financial aid students may need. Most advisers have offices where they meet with students, though many advisers also communicate through telephone and email to assist as many students as possible.
Financial aid advisers can also help students better understand the different types of financial aid available to them and the responsibilities associated with each type. Students often need help understanding the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized loans, for example, as well as the terms under which such loans must be repaid and how those loans are disbursed during a student’s education. Financial aid advisers can also help students look for other types of financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, and help them understand the specific types of assistance for which they can apply.
Once a student has completed his or her education, then financial aid advisers can also help that student understand how and when to repay loans that may have been received. There is typically a grace period after completing school in which a student can wait to repay his or her loans, and advisers can help students understand when this period ends. Students who may be facing financial hardship after graduation can also speak with financial aid advisers to understand what options are available to them for loan repayment. Loans can often be deferred for a certain period of time, for example, allowing the student to stop making payments while he or she progresses into a better financial situation.