Financial Aid Outreach Counselor

Job Description

Montgomery College has an immediate need for two (2) full-time Financial Aid Outreach Counselor's in the Financial Aid Department. One position is located on the Rockville Campus; the other position is located on the Takoma Park Silver Spring Campus (PLEASE STATE YOUR CAMPUS PREFERENCE AT THE TOP OF YOUR RESUME).

The work schedule is 40 hours a week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, 10:00 am-6:30 pm., with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed. This is a non-bargaining, non-exempt, grade 27 position. For non-exempt positions, you are not eligible to work a secondary job at Montgomery College. This position is eligible for up to one (1) telework day a week. This eligibility is subject to change based on the needs of the unit.

The Financial Aid Outreach Counselor works under broad supervisory direction with some latitude for independent action. Counsel prospective and current students and their family representatives regarding participation in federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including eligibility, regulations, policies, and procedures, through in-person, phone, and email conversations. Coordinate departmental outreach activities and serve as the main point of contact. Evaluate applications and award financial aid to students. Provide leadership for a specific financial aid process and/or program(s).

The Financial Aid Outreach Counselor is responsible for planning, developing, and performing activities pertaining to administrative and technical tasks related to financial aid programs. Duties are varied with a wide range of processes and methods relating to established policies and procedures. Interpretation of the rules and regulations is required to respond appropriately to inquiries. Incumbents exercise independent judgment, comparing and evaluating courses of action and making decisions after the possibilities have been considered. A comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations is needed to warrant independent decisions.

Contacts are with college faculty, staff, current and prospective students and family representatives, the general public, external agencies, including lending institutions, and government agencies.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Writes, designs, and conducts financial aid presentations and workshops to students and family representatives at middle schools, high schools, community organizations, and Montgomery College (MC) events, which may require bilingual skills.
• Coordinates all departmental outreach requests, maintains the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) outreach calendar, and serves as the main point of contact for outside agencies and MC departments that request financial aid presentations.
• Represents OSFA and MC at outreach events, radio interviews, community fairs, and workshops. Facilitate workshops and seminars on financial aid and personal finance.
• Creates and manages social media content for the OFSA.
• Provides statistical reports on outreach activities.
• Counsels and advises students and family representatives regarding financial aid regulations, application policies and procedures, methods used to determine eligibility, specific program requirements and limits, disbursement and appeal procedures, requirements for continued eligibility, and related financial matters.
• Uses comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations, including Title IV, to interpret rules and regulations as needed.
• Develops processes and procedures and updates others when appropriate. Evaluate financial aid applications and determine financial aid eligibility.
• Awards financial aid to eligible students using independent judgment and discretion to make determinations. Review appeals for exceptions and make determinations in accordance with state, federal, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Adjusts student budgets and awards accordingly.
• Maintains statistical data; reviews and assigns reports as needed.
• May manage a file review caseload and/or coordinate, administer or lead a specific federal, state, institutional or operational program or task.
• May be responsible for a specific college-wide program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in a financial aid office.
• The equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
• A driver’s license is required
• Comprehensive knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Office policies and procedures, state and federal financial aid regulations and policies, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Comprehensive knowledge of one or more of the following programs: loans, work study, scholarships, or other federal or state programs. Knowledge of institutional rules, guidelines, procedures, and practices, and of modern office procedures and practices as applied to the operations of a financial aid office.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service techniques for public contact
• Proficient in public speaking and communicating with diverse communities
• Thorough knowledge of office procedures and practices with the ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks in a demanding office environment.
• Ability to perform general office clerical work, apply technical rules and procedures, perform arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately, operate common office equipment, including desktop computers and relevant pc hardware and software applications
• Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual skills preferred

Application Process:

• Click to apply online
• PLEASE STATE YOUR CAMPUS PREFEENCE (TAKOMA PARK/SILVER SPRING OR ROCKVILLE AT THE TOP OF YOUR RESUME)

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 degree verification (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 Retirement System, you may not enroll in a Maryland State Retirement System plan at Montgomery College and may have earn​ings restrictions, per state law.

Our package includes: generous paid vacation, sick, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, group legal benefits, professional development, retirement plan, educational assistance, tuition waiver for employee and dependents, wellness programming including onsite gyms, pools and classes.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled