Paralegal: Financial Aid & Counsel Support (Contract)

umd; Maryland; On-site; USD 74,299,000 - 80,231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safe and Sick Leave

Job summary

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore invites applications for a full-time, nonexempt contractual position supporting the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of the General Counsel. The role is 40 hours per week, split between the two offices, reporting to the Director of Financial Aid.

The selected candidate will manage Borrower Defense cases, conduct fact-finding, research records, ensure FERPA compliance, and handle MPIA requests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four (4) years of professional legal experience.
• Excellent research, written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage Borrower Defense cases: Track all Department of Education claims, deadlines, case status, COD Web activity, and required submissions.
• Conduct detailed fact-finding: Investigate each allegation, establish the who/what/when/where/why/how, develop timelines, and distinguish documented facts from allegations.
• Research institutional records: Collect and analyze student, financial aid, academic, admissions, communications, policies, catalogs, and historical records while maintaining FERPA and confidentiality requirements.
• Analyze regulations and prepare responses: Research applicable federal regulations and guidance, evaluate the evidence supporting each allegation, and draft comprehensive responses and supporting documentation for ED review.
• Ensure compliance and risk management: Maintain audit-ready case files, identify potential compliance or financial risks, meet all deadlines, and escalate matters requiring legal advice to university counsel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Director.
• Manage and process requests submitted under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), including coordinating records searches, reviewing, and compiling responsive documents, calculating and processing fees, and preparing records for production in accordance with applicable laws and deadlines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral communication

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore invites applications for a full-time, nonexempt contractual position supporting the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of the General Counsel. The role is 40 hours per week, split between the two offices, reporting to the Director of Financial Aid.

The selected candidate will manage Borrower Defense cases, conduct fact-finding, research records, ensure FERPA compliance, and handle MPIA requests.