Financial Aid Counselor
Job Description
About McDaniel College:
McDaniel College, recognized nationally among "Colleges that Change Lives" and U.S. News and World Report top-tier liberal arts colleges, is a four-year private college of the liberal arts and sciences offering more than 70 undergraduate programs of study, including dual and student-designed majors, plus 20 highly regarded graduate programs. At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2024 benefits guidebook. The C3 salary range is $16.75/hour to $24.12/hour. The target rate is $22.50/hour. This is a 35-hour a week position.
Job Description:
The primary responsibilities of the Financial Aid Counselor include providing student-focus financial aid services to determine student eligibility while also counseling and advising students and families on the various financial aid programs. The hourly range for this full-time, 35-hour a week position is $21.43-$22.52.
Specific Responsibilities
- Assist with the smooth operation of the Financial Aid department by assisting in the administration of one or more financial aid programs.
- Assess students' file in order to determine missing information and be able to accurately communicate missing documentation and non-eligibility to students.
- Answer and respond to the Financial Aid Office phone calls and emails in the absence of the receptionist.
- Assist with mailing outbound correspondence such as offer notifications and other documentations.
- Serve as backup to specialists for daily importing/exporting processes.
- Collect and analyze documentation required to complete a student's financial aid file in accordance with federal regulations.
- Process student financial aid applications to address issues and concerns as they arise.
- Evaluate accuracy of documents and consistency of data from need analysis processor, federal tax returns, financial aid transcripts verification document, and student information; perform data analysis to identify discrepancies in data and determine action for resolution.
- Assist the financial aid specialists with conducting financial aid informational presentations to special groups, when needed.
- Communicate to convey or exchange general work-related information to guide or assist internal or external customers.
- Follow technical instructions, procedure manuals, and charts to solve practical problems; and/or compose routine or specialized reports or forms and business letters; and/or ensure compliance with clear guidelines and standards.
- Run and assist with managing various processes within College ERM, Colleague, to ensure efficient and effective processing of awards
- Perform computer data entry and other related duties as assigned.
- Maintain proper records retention policy and documentation of Financial Aid records storage.
- Assist in updating financial aid forms, when needed.
- Attend training workshops and conferences in order to learn and stay current on financial aid regulations and processing.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Financial Aid Director and Senior Associate Director.
Requirements:
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with one year of professional experience
- Excellent organizational skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, enterprise data management systems and other cloud-based products
- Knowledge of basic mathematical and accounting principles.
- Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
- Must be able to anticipate and plan for cyclical activities
- Ability to deliver effective customer service through accurately assessing and handling phone calls, visitor requests, etc., with discretion and a positive attitude
- Ability to communicate effectively in English orally, by phone, in person, and in writing
- Discretion and reliability in sensitive and confidential matters are vital
- Ability to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey complex financial aid processes, ideas, facts, and information effectively and accurately to students, staff, faculty, and the general public
- Ability to handle confidential matters judiciously
- Apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Detail-oriented with skills in proofreading materials and data entry to ensure accuracy
Physical Abilities
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
- Sitting for long periods of time
- Some bending and stooping when working with files
- Limited lifting involved but not more than 10 pounds at a time
- Finger and hand dexterity for typing and handling paperwork
Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely working in a normal office environment with minimal exposure to adverse conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.
Additional Information:
McDaniel College is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the student body. McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics. For more information on the College's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit this link.
Application Instructions:
Completed applications must include the following: cover letter addressing position qualifications and related experience; resume, names and contact information of three professional references, and a completed job application. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled.
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