Financial Aid Counselor (S13282)
Inside Higher Ed, Germantown, MD, United States
Job Overview
Montgomery College, Rockville Campus has an immediate need for a full-time Financial Aid Counselor in the Financial Aid Department. The work schedule is 40 hours a week, Monday, Wednesday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. This is a Non-Bargaining, Non-Exempt, grade 27 position. For non‑exempt positions, you are not eligible to work a secondary job at Montgomery College. This position is eligible for telework one day a week; eligibility is subject to change based on the needs of the unit.
The Financial Aid Counselor works under broad supervisory direction with some latitude for independent action. The counselor counsels prospective and current students and their family representatives regarding participation in scholarships and federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, including eligibility, regulations, policies and procedures through in‑person, phone and email conversations. The position evaluates applications and awards scholarships and financial aid, and provides leadership for specific financial aid processes and programs.
Work consists of planning, developing and performing activities related to scholarship and financial aid programs. Duties vary with a wide range of processes and methods related to established policies and procedures. The counselor interprets rules and regulations to respond appropriately to inquiries and exercises independent judgment to make decisions after evaluating alternatives. A comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations is required to warrant independent decisions.
Duties
Counsel prospective and current students and their family representatives regarding participation in federal, state and institutional financial aid programs and scholarships, including eligibility, regulations, policies and procedures, through in‑person, phone and email conversations.
Maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including Title IV, to interpret rules and regulations as needed.
Evaluate financial aid applications and determine eligibility.
Award scholarships and financial aid to eligible students using independent judgment and discretion.
Review appeals for exceptions and make determinations in accordance with state, federal and institutional policies governing financial aid.
Develop processes and procedures and update them when appropriate.
Adjust student budgets and awards accordingly.
Maintain statistical data; review and assign reports as needed.
Manage a file review caseload and/or coordinate, administer or lead a federal, state, institutional or operational program or task.
Facilitate and/or participate in program‑specific or financial aid outreach activities.
Be responsible for a specific college‑wide program.
Respond to inquiries from students, parents, faculty and staff about scholarship applications.
Make referrals as necessary to other college offices and/or outside agencies.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Five years of experience in a financial aid office.
Customer service experience.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent attention to detail.
Comprehensive knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Office policies and procedures, state and federal financial aid regulations and policies, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
Comprehensive knowledge of one or more of the following programs: scholarships, loans, work study or other federal or state programs.
Equivalent combination of education, training, certification and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience with one or more of the following financial aid programs: loans, work study, scholarships or other federal/state aid programs.
Familiarity with current financial aid office policies and procedures, including federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and guidelines.
Salary Hiring range: $31.69 – $41.19 per hour. Initial salary placement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint of the range and is based on relevant candidate experience and internal equity. The maximum salary for this position is $50.69.
Benefits Our benefits package includes generous paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legal benefits, professional development, retirement plan, educational assistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, and wellness programming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.
Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment: successful completion of a background check and degree verification (if applicable); participation in a Maryland State Retirement System plan (Pension or Optional Retirement Plan, depending on the position). Retired employees may be exempt from enrolling in a Maryland State Retirement System plan at Montgomery College per state law.
Equal Opportunity Statement Montgomery College is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting and fostering diversity among its student body, faculty, and staff. Montgomery College is a tobacco‑free and smoke‑free workplace.
Application Summary Applicants must include a copy of education equivalency for degrees earned outside the U.S., conducted by a nationally recognized evaluation service, upon application. For reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management at 240‑567‑5353 or HRSTM@montgomerycollege.edu. Advance notice of at least two weeks is required to provide requested accommodations.
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The Financial Aid Counselor works under broad supervisory direction with some latitude for independent action. The counselor counsels prospective and current students and their family representatives regarding participation in scholarships and federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, including eligibility, regulations, policies and procedures through in‑person, phone and email conversations. The position evaluates applications and awards scholarships and financial aid, and provides leadership for specific financial aid processes and programs.
Work consists of planning, developing and performing activities related to scholarship and financial aid programs. Duties vary with a wide range of processes and methods related to established policies and procedures. The counselor interprets rules and regulations to respond appropriately to inquiries and exercises independent judgment to make decisions after evaluating alternatives. A comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations is required to warrant independent decisions.
Duties
Counsel prospective and current students and their family representatives regarding participation in federal, state and institutional financial aid programs and scholarships, including eligibility, regulations, policies and procedures, through in‑person, phone and email conversations.
Maintain comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including Title IV, to interpret rules and regulations as needed.
Evaluate financial aid applications and determine eligibility.
Award scholarships and financial aid to eligible students using independent judgment and discretion.
Review appeals for exceptions and make determinations in accordance with state, federal and institutional policies governing financial aid.
Develop processes and procedures and update them when appropriate.
Adjust student budgets and awards accordingly.
Maintain statistical data; review and assign reports as needed.
Manage a file review caseload and/or coordinate, administer or lead a federal, state, institutional or operational program or task.
Facilitate and/or participate in program‑specific or financial aid outreach activities.
Be responsible for a specific college‑wide program.
Respond to inquiries from students, parents, faculty and staff about scholarship applications.
Make referrals as necessary to other college offices and/or outside agencies.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Five years of experience in a financial aid office.
Customer service experience.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent attention to detail.
Comprehensive knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Office policies and procedures, state and federal financial aid regulations and policies, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
Comprehensive knowledge of one or more of the following programs: scholarships, loans, work study or other federal or state programs.
Equivalent combination of education, training, certification and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience with one or more of the following financial aid programs: loans, work study, scholarships or other federal/state aid programs.
Familiarity with current financial aid office policies and procedures, including federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and guidelines.
Salary Hiring range: $31.69 – $41.19 per hour. Initial salary placement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint of the range and is based on relevant candidate experience and internal equity. The maximum salary for this position is $50.69.
Benefits Our benefits package includes generous paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legal benefits, professional development, retirement plan, educational assistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, and wellness programming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.
Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment: successful completion of a background check and degree verification (if applicable); participation in a Maryland State Retirement System plan (Pension or Optional Retirement Plan, depending on the position). Retired employees may be exempt from enrolling in a Maryland State Retirement System plan at Montgomery College per state law.
Equal Opportunity Statement Montgomery College is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting and fostering diversity among its student body, faculty, and staff. Montgomery College is a tobacco‑free and smoke‑free workplace.
Application Summary Applicants must include a copy of education equivalency for degrees earned outside the U.S., conducted by a nationally recognized evaluation service, upon application. For reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management at 240‑567‑5353 or HRSTM@montgomerycollege.edu. Advance notice of at least two weeks is required to provide requested accommodations.
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