Financial Aid Specialist I - Term*

Colorado Mountain College; Rifle (CO); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement contribution

Annual & sick time

Mental health resources

Healthy lifestyle benefits

Relocation assistance (where eligible)

Job summary

Colorado Mountain College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist I to guide students through the financial aid process, assist with forms, and serve as a liaison for Work Study. This term role ends on 10/31/2026 and emphasizes outreach, eligibility, and effective communication with students and families.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree with two years related experience and knowledge of federal student aid policies.

Qualifications

• Explain FAFSA steps and student responsibilities clearly.
• Understand federal student aid processes and compliance.
• Awareness of R2T4 and SAP basics.
• Able to conduct workshops/presentations for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Guide students through FAFSA and financial aid processes.
• Assist with FAFSA completion, ISIR review, and awards.
• Coordinate with Admissions, Student Accounts, Registrars, and Advising.
• Provide proactive, customer-focused support to students and families.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Outreach

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Two years related experience

Tools

Colleague software

Job description

Job Description:

Primary Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Specialist I perform various services to successfully guide students through the financial aid process including outreach, completion of financial aid forms, monitoring, serve as Work Study liaison and provide effective communication with students. This Financial Aid Specialist will be one of the first points of contact for prospective students and families and is instrumental in establishing an understanding of all financing options available to make CMC viable and affordable.

*This is a term position that ends 10/31/2026.

Pre-requisites for Position (Qualifications Standards)

Education and experience are sufficient for the rigors of the position. Examples may include a Bachelor's Degree and two years related experience, or equivalent education and experience that will provide the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities to perform the functions of the position.

Experience with the administration of Federal Student Aid, VA and TA funds. NASFAA U Credentialing courses preferred: Application Process, Campus-Based Programs, Cost of Attendance, Packaging & Notification of Awards, Student Eligibility, and Verification. Renew certificates as needed, to support professional development needs. Colleague software experience preferred.

The Financial Aid Specialist will work proactively and utilize problem-solving skills to promote success through enrollment and retention while maintaining compliance with all internal and federal financial aid policies and procedural information. Internal customer service is extensive and time sensitive.

Welcoming. Innovative. Focused on Student Success. These principles reflect the soul of CMC. They guide us in building our teams, cultivating leaders, and expanding our approaches and mindset. They guide us to be an institution of higher education that's the right fit for every faculty member, staff, student, and community member in its trust. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds.

Hiring range = $62,025.60 - $68,910.40 ($29.82 - $33.13 hourly) annual salary depending upon a combination of education and experience.

Benefits include

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Pet insurance
• retirement contribution
• tuition reimbursement
• annual & sick time
• mental health resources
• healthy lifestyle benefits
• affordable transitional housing may be available to the successful candidate based on eligibility and availability
• relocation if applicable

CMC utilizes a wage progression compensation model that accounts for a candidate's skill and experience. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

Position anticipated to close on August 13, 2026 or until filled.

Colorado Mountain College requires that employees perform their assigned duties within the State of Colorado. The College further expects employees to accurately report their work location at all times. Failure to do so impairs the College's ability to ensure compliance with tax, payroll, employment, information security, and operational requirements.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Effectively communicate/explain all necessary steps of the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, student responsibilities, and assist students and families with any questions concerning the completion of the FAFSA process.
• Possess a basic understanding of federal student aid processes such as ISIR review, federal Direct and plus loan eligibility, entrance and exit counseling requirements, verification process and awards, work study, as well as government policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Awareness of R2T4 process to facilitate calculations.
• Ability to perform SAP appeals and Professional Judgment.
• Knowledge of Veterans benefits.
• Conduct workshops and presentations to students, campus faculty, staff, high schools and community members concerning financial aid either in person or virtually.
• Educate prospective families on the various ways to pay for college, including but not limited to federal financial aid programs, Colorado grants and scholarships, external scholarships, and loans.
• Deliver outstanding customer service to prospective and re-entering students and families through various remote platforms, e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, phone to discuss financial aid processes and options.
• Provide extensive student-focused, solution-oriented communication and support to ensure all students are comfortable and sufficiently informed/prepared.
• Works closely with various departments, such as admissions, student accounts, registrars, and advising, to assist when and where needed.
• Promptly respond to all student questions, concerns, and needs regarding the financial aid process within an established timeframe.
• Perform data entry of students' financial aid information and all comments in our databases related to students' status to ensure full and proper documentation.
• Counsels' students with financial literacy.
• Participates in student registration activities and development activities designed to promote student awareness, retention, and success.
• Uses a database and various computer software to maintain and monitor confidential and other student records and files.
• Attend financial aid training activities as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

Position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Position usually works within the framework of responsibilities but may require guidance at times.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position may serve as a lead/supervise on projects and/or for other team members/work study.

Special Conditions of Employment

Position will have a username, password and encryption-token access to sensitive and confidential U.S. Department of Education records. Access includes the National Student Loan Data Service (NSLDS), FAA Access to CPS and may also be granted access to Common Origination & Disbursement (COD).

Successful completion of a background check including motor vehicles records report will be required. Incumbents in this position will adhere to all safety and compliance policies of Colorado Mountain College while performing all duties assigned.

Travel within Colorado

Travel within Colorado, the College district/service area, altered work schedules and/or evening and/or weekend hours. The position is expected to travel to financial aid related events, quarterly face-to-face meetings and other training opportunities as directed. Hours can vary based on time of year and student needs. This position will be required to visit our campuses in Western Colorado for certain events or meetings, including new student orientations, visit days or other occasions deemed important by the employee's supervisor.

Working Conditions

This position requires constant sitting, occasional walking, standing and driving; occasional handling objects, pushing/pulling; frequent reaching with hands/arms, and use of finger movements; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects up to 50 lbs. Constant written and oral communication and the ability to reason and analyze and perform calculations occasionally. Work is performed using a computer and standard office equipment daily and driving a vehicle occasionally.

CMC is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the College will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADA Coordinator, Human Resources, [e-mail]

NOTE: This position description is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to this class and provide examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Each role at Colorado Mountain College contributes to the institution's sustainability initiatives by fostering environmental stewardship, supporting sustainable practices in daily operations, and advancing a culture of ecological responsibility that aligns with our commitment to balance the needs of current generations not to compromise the needs of future generations.