Financial Aid Specialist

Montgomery College; Rockville (MD); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Educational assistance

Tuition waiver for employee and depend

Wellness programs

Job summary

Montgomery College in Rockville, MD seeks a Full-Time Financial Aid Specialist to advise students and families on federal, state, and institutional aid. You will evaluate applications, award aid, and support work-study programs, with occasional evenings and Saturdays.

The role involves data management, policy interpretation, and outreach activities. A 3-year aid office background plus an Associate degree are required; telework is available one day per week after six months.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required with 3 years of financial aid office experience.
• Knowledge of federal/state financial aid regulations and policies.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise students and families on financial aid programs, eligibility, and requirements.
• Evaluate applications and award financial aid according to policies.
• Assist with program fund reconciliations and audits as needed.
• Support Federal Work Study and outreach activities.
• Maintain data and generate reports; supervise student workers if applicable.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Data entry

Problem solving

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Job Description

Montgomery College, Central Services location in Rockville, isseeking candidates for a Full-Time Financial Aid Specialist. Theregular work schedule is 40 hour a week, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m., with ability to accommodate departmental needs tocover required evenings and occasional Saturday outreach activitiesas needed. This is a bargaining, non-exempt, grade 25 position.This position is currently eligible for telework one (1) day perweek. This eligibility will take effect after a six-monthprobationary period and is subject to change based on the needs ofthe unit. Montgomery College promotes and creates a working andlearning environment rooted in the basic tenets of fairness,belonging, and inclusiveness.

Under general supervision, the Financial Aid Specialist followsestablished policies and procedures, and advises prospective andcurrent students and their family representatives regardingparticipation in federal, state and institutional financial aidprograms including eligibility, regulations, policies andprocedures through in-person, phone and email conversations. TheFinancial Aid Specialist will evaluate applications and awardfinancial aid to students. The work consists of performingadministrative and technical activities of financial aidprograms.

• Advise students and their family representatives regardingfinancial aid regulations, the application policies and procedures,and methods used to determine eligibility, as well as review andexplain specific program requirements, limits and ongoingeligibility, disbursement and appeal procedures, and other relatedfinancial matters.
• Support the administration of the financial aid program and/orprocess.
• Provide help to students when completing the applicationprocess.
• Perform program fund reconciliations and audits whenneeded.
• Assist with the Federal Work Study Program.
• Evaluate financial aid applications and determine financial aideligibility in accordance with state, federal and institutionalpolicies governing financial aid.
• Award financial aid to eligible students using establishedguidelines.
• Evaluate potential exceptions to policies and regulations andescalate to higher level financial aid workers.
• Facilitate and/or participate in program specific or financialaid outreach activities.
• Maintain statistical data and review generated reports.
• May supervise student workers.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree.
• Three years experience working in a student Financial AidOffice.
• Working knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Officepolicies and procedures, state and federal financial aidregulations and policies, and institutional policies governingfinancial aid.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following programs: loans,work study or other federal or state program.
• Ability to perform needs analysis and evaluate applications forfinancial aid while interpreting and applying complexregulations.
• Skill in the use of student financial aid data managementsystems.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service techniques for publiccontact.
• Skilled in interpersonal relations (including serving a diversecommunity) with ability to effectively communicate, verbally and inwriting, and work effectively with others within and outside of theinstitution.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professionalrelationships. Thorough knowledge of office procedures and practices with abilityto set priorities and handle multiple tasks in a demanding officeenvironment.
• Skilled in use of business English, spelling, grammar andconventional styles and formats used in office communications.
• Ability to perform general office clerical work, applytechnical rules and procedures, and perform mathematicalcalculations quickly and accurately.
• Operate common office equipment including desktop computers andrelevant pc hardware and software applications such as MicrosoftOffice Suite to include extensive work in Excel.
• The equivalent combination of education, training,certification and/or experience that provides the requiredknowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of thejob may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in higher education.

Hiring Range

$29.51- $38.35 annually. Initial salaryplacement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint ofthe range and is based on relevant candidate experience andinternal equity. The maximum salary for this position is$47.20.

For degrees earned outside of the U.S., a copy of your education equivalency, conducted by a nationally recognized evaluation service, must be included in your application.

As a condition of employment, the following are required at the time of hire:

• Successful completion of a background check and degreeverification (if applicable).
• Participation in a Maryland State Retirement System plan(Pension or Optional Retirement Plan, depending on the position).If you are already retired from the Maryland State RetirementSystem, you may not enroll in a Maryland State Retirement Systemplan at Montgomery College and may have earn ings restrictions,per state law.

Our benefits package includes: generous paidvacation, sick, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legalbenefits, professional development, retirement plan, educationalassistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, wellnessprogramming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in thejob application or interview process, please contact HumanResources and Strategic Talent Management at 240-567-5353 or [e-mail]. We require at least twoweeks advance notice to enable us to provide the requestedaccommodation.

Montgomery College is an equal opportunity employer committed topromoting and fostering diversity among its student body, faculty,and staff.

Montgomery College is a tobacco-free and smoke-freeworkplace.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled