Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020. Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff, and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title - Financial Aid Counselor

FLSA - Exempt

FT/PT - Full Time

Hours Per Week - 37.5

Work Schedule - M-F 8:30-5

Grade - 13

Compensation Range - $58,896-77,381

Summary - Possesses comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations and their relationship to institutional compliance. This position performs file review and verification of completed files, identifies additional information needs to resolve conflicting information, and awards students. The Financial Aid Counselor is a critical member of the financial aid office ability to ensure compliance of the student's file and awards with federal and state laws and regulations, and institutional policy. The Financial Aid Counselor meets with students and families individually to help them complete their files and advise them on their eligibility for financial aid. This position serves as an institutional spokesperson on all issues related to financing postsecondary education, particularly at Howard Community College. Assists in the coordination of the comprehensive delivery of federal and state grant funds, loans, college work-study, and Maryland State, institutional and private scholarships. The Financial Aid Services counselor has excellent customer service skills and works flexibly with diverse constituencies within and outside the college community, most importantly students, parents and guardians as appropriate.

Essential Role Responsibilities - Maintains and utilizes current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional Title IV financial aid regulations. Counsels and assists prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the application process and eligibility for financial aid. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of and complies with federal, state and institutional regulations. Determines student eligibility to receive financial aid funds in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations. Packages all eligible students according to the established policies and procedures. Reviews, corrects and certifies all file information for disbursement of awards and ensures that all information entered into the student information system Colleague is accurate and complete. Calculates Satisfactory Academic Progress on a case-by-case basis to determine a student's status. Identifies and determines special circumstances in order to utilize Professional Judgment in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures. Guides and directs front counter personnel by answering questions and reviewing student accounts with them. Works with other campus units, such as, but not limited to, Records and Registration, Admissions and Advising, and Finance to resolve student issues. Plans and conducts financial aid workshops, information sessions, and paying for college sessions and other programs, such as the "FAFSA Friday's" for internal and external constituencies. Maintains memberships and participates in appropriate organizations and attends regular training sessions. Performs other duties as assigned. Serves as a backup to the Associate Director in functions such as importing files, running the disbursement process, and reviewing Pell overpayments. Review and process student loan requests in accordance with federal laws and regulations. Maintains an alpha caseload, reviewing all necessary documents and resolving conflicting information to complete file processing. Coordinate and manage financial aid programs, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures, as assigned by the Associate Director and/or the Director of Financial Aid Services.

Minimum Education Required - Bachelor's degree

Experience Required - Bachelor's degree fielding education, business or related fields. Prior experience in financial aid strongly preferred. Excellent interpersonal, communication (including public speaking and writing), and customer service skills. Ability to work effectively as a member of the office team and other teams and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and management throughout the college. Excellent technology skills, including interest in and ability to learn and utilize applications and equipment of all kinds, including, but not limited to the student system, financial aid programs, the Web, e-mail and Microsoft Office. Ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data. Ability to identify conflicting information and exercise professional judgement as appropriate. Proactive in identifying and resolving problems. Knowledge of all available ways to pay for college at HCC, such as the payment plan, scholarships, tuition waivers, and others. Regular attendance is a requirement of this job as well as the ability to work additional and flexible hours during peak periods and/or in the event of special circumstances. Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required. Knowledge of procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Reg., Testing), and the Finance Office preferred. Knowledge and experience with Ellucian and ImageNow systems preferred. Knowledge of Internet, automated financial aid processing, college network, phone, electronic mail, and college website required. Ability to learn, implement, use, and train others in new computer applications. Specialized Publications and Resource Materials The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and USDOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and FSA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

Other Requirements - Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and highest professional and ethical standards. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Regular attendance is a requirement of this job. Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demand Summary - Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and sometimes high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of numerous tasks. Evening hours required. This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility is an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods. Occasional weekend programs required. Evening, additional hours, and occasional weekends required during peak periods or for special programs.

Supervisory Position? - No

Division - Student Success Office

Department - Financial Aid Services