Financial Aid Counselor

Position Title

Financial Aid Counselor

Possesses comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations and their relationship to institutional compliance. 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, ensuring compliance of the student's file and awards with federal and state laws and regulations, and institutional policy.

Meets with students and families individually to help them complete their files and advise them on their eligibility for financial aid. Serves as an institutional spokesperson on all issues related to financing postsecondary education at Howard Community College. Assists in the coordination of federal and state grant funds, loans, college work‑study, and Maryland State, institutional and private scholarships. Provides excellent customer service and works flexibly with diverse constituencies within and outside the college community, most importantly students, parents and guardians as appropriate.

• Maintain and utilize current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional Title IV financial aid regulations.
• Counsel and assist prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the application process and eligibility for financial aid.
• Determine student eligibility to receive financial aid funds in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Package all eligible students according to the established policies and procedures.
• Review, correct and certify all file information for disbursement of awards and ensure that all information entered into the student information system Colleague is accurate and complete.
• Calculate Satisfactory Academic Progress on a case‑by‑case basis to determine a student's status.
• Identify and determine special circumstances in order to utilize professional judgment in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Guide and direct front counter personnel by answering questions and reviewing student accounts with them.
• Work with other campus units, such as Records and Registration, Admissions and Advising, and Finance to resolve student issues.
• Plan and conduct financial aid workshops, information sessions, and paying for college sessions, including "FAFSA Friday" for internal and external constituencies.
• Maintain memberships and participate in appropriate organizations and attend regular training sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Serve as a backup to the Associate Director in functions such as importing files, running the disbursement process, and reviewing Pell over payments.
• Review and process student loan requests in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
• Maintain 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.

Bachelor's degree

• Bachelor's degree in education, business or related field.
• 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 the student system, financial aid programs, the Web, e‑mail, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data; identify conflicting information and exercise professional judgment as appropriate.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving problems.
• Knowledge of all available ways…