Financial Aid Specialist

McHenry County College; Bull Valley (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

McHenry County College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to assist students through federal, state, and MCC aid processes. You will review files, award disburse funds, and help students navigate financial aid resources.

Responsibilities include managing caseloads, providing empathetic service, assisting with audits, and training staff on tools like Navigate360 and Colleague. Strong communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; bilingual skills are a plus.
• Experience with financial aid or higher education software is beneficial.
• Experience in customer service or working with students is expected.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of assigned students and monitor progress.
• Provide timely information and compassionate guidance to students and families.
• Administer financial aid awards and communicate progress to all parties.
• Assist audits and program reviews.
• Utilize college systems to track financial aid progress and maintain notes.
• Train students and staff on financial aid tools and resources.
• Collaborate with departments on student-centered initiatives.
• Present information about financial aid opportunities to schools and community groups.
• Keep up to date with state and federal financial aid regulations.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Bilingual Spanish/English

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Navigate360

Colleague

Job description

Workweek

40 Hours | Flexible schedule to meet department needs to include evenings

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist assists students and families through the federal, state, and McHenry County College (MCC) financial aid process and requirements. They review and process student financial aid files, including awarding and disbursing student funding. Financial Aid plays a significant role in our focus on increasing student access, success, retention, and graduation. The Specialist should be familiar with the challenges and barriers that community college students and their families face in preparing for college, and be ready to help students overcome the obstacles in their path to post‑secondary education.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of assigned students, proactively monitoring progress and intervening as necessaryDevelop and maintain relationships with students and families seeking information about financial aid by providing friendly service, timely response and knowledgeable advice, in-person and via other channelsAdminister the processing of financial aid awards, following all procedures, and communicating to all parties in a way that is diplomatic, empathetic and compassionate, even when such conversations are challengingAssist the Director of Financial Aid with audits and program reviews Contribute to the development and maintenance of departmental procedure and process documentationUtilize Navigate360, Colleague, and other college systems to effectively track, communicate with, and report on the financial aid progress of students while maintaining accurate financial aid notes and documentationTrain and assist students with myMCC, self‑service, and financial aid tools to effectively navigate and utilize resources for paying for collegeSupport the onboarding and development of new Financial Aid Specialists and College staff by providing training on financial aid processes and state/federal guidelinesCollaborate with MCC colleagues on various student‑centered initiatives, serve on committees, and consult on issues where particular expertise is neededPresent information about all financial aid opportunities at MCC to audiences such as high school students and their parents, community organizations, and other interested partiesKeep apprised of changes to Financial Aid regulations and processes at the state and federal levels, and internally at MCC by attending trainings as directed, and regularly monitoring FAFSA and ISAC websites for updatesProvide basic information on military education benefits, referring students to the Military Benefits Specialist as neededWork collaboratively with others to accomplish functions and responsibilitiesAssume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

Required Qualifications

Associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent education and experienceOne year of related experience (e.g. working in an educational environment, serving students)

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution Bilingual communication skills (Spanish/English)Experience with computer software used for financial aid processingExperience in a higher education or community college setting

Skills and Specifications

Thorough understanding of applicable financial aid institutional, state, and federal guidelines and regulationsProficient in Microsoft Office Suite Demonstrate and possess a strong understanding of cultural competency and able to communicate effectively to different audiencesAbility to grow with the technology and philosophical directions implemented by the CollegeUnderstanding the importance of confidentialityAbility to deliver clear, compelling presentations in front of an audienceAbility to work in a high‑quality, focused service environment with excellent organizational skills and a professional mannerAttention to detailAbility to work independently, yet have a strong team orientation and to develop productive working relationships at all levels of the organizationSensitivity to students whose cultural and educational experiences differ from his/her ownWillingness to work in a dynamic environment and the ability to be receptive and responsive to changing goals, needs and prioritiesExcellent interpersonal and communication skillsAbility to work under pressure with composureDemonstrate excellent problem‑solving and critical thinking skillsCommitment to and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion Understanding of and commitment to the College mission, vision, values, and goals

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender‑related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law. Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. MCC is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible college community.

Reasonable Accommodation

To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].