The Community College of Vermont (CCV) is looking for a dynamic and engaging individual to join CCV as a Financial Aid Counselor. As a Financial Aid Counselor, you will inform and advise students on how to pay for their education and accomplish their educational goals. You’ll also collaborate with a statewide team of colleagues on best fulfilling CCV’s missions of access, affordability, and student success.

The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, solid decision-making abilities, and a willingness to adapt to the ever-moving financial aid regulations and the cycles of an academic year. Previous experience of working in financial aid is especially valued.

JOB SUMMARY:

To inform and advise CCV students on financial aid options and requirements, and to serve as a liaison between students and other CCV administrative offices and outside agencies. Administer financial aid in compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Assist students in seeking temporary work (federal work study/student employment) while enrolled at the College.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Meet with prospective and returning students to assess their financial needs and provide them with information, advice, and assistance regarding financial aid options, applications procedures, and regulations; respond to questions concerning federal aid.
• Assist students with the completion of the financial aid application process, including the collection and review of any necessary documentation prior to submission of the documents to CCV’s central office.
• Assist students in determining their financial aid eligibility relative to their semester(s) bill and clear them for registration when financial aid is adequate to cover the bill.
• Update and maintain the student’s financial aid record as appropriate in the College’s administrative database.
• Utilize reports provided by the College to monitor and resolve issues regarding student attendance, outstanding balances, missing documents, and other problem resolution issues.
• Provide loan counseling to students interested in student borrowing.
• Guide and assist students with federal work study opportunities and/or other student employment while they are enrolled at CCV.
• Attend relevant CCV financial aid meeting and other training opportunities as appropriate.
• Stay current in federal financial aid regulations, guidelines, and annual application procedures.
• Perform liaison functions between students and outside agencies, such as state social service agencies and VSAC, as well as other CCV offices/staff such as academic coordinators and student accounts.
• Provide CCV central financial aid office with open and continuous feedback and suggestions on mailings, reports, and proposed and existing processes and procedures.
• Provide orientation for academic center staff regarding financial aid programs, policies and procedures and technical assistance to center staff regarding financial aid issues for students.
• Engage in activities that enhance recruitment, retention, and success of students.
• Actively participate in academic center recruitment and retention efforts, including but not limited to student middle and high school events, orientations, and adult outreach.
• Stay current in new initiatives and technologies at CCV by participating in regular training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Minimum Education and Experience: Associate’s degree with three or more years of relevant experience or combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

Preferred Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree; prior work with students, loans, or financial aid preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of higher education financial aid funding systems preferred.
• Ability to understand and clearly explain complex financial aid regulations.
• Strong communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer, math, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work within a collaborative team environment.
• Good administrative, counseling, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of students, colleagues, and outside agency personnel in performing the various counseling, instructional, liaison and collections functions of the job, frequently involving sensitive and confidential financial matters.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of all financial matters.

Physical Requirements:
Duties performed causes light fatigue of eyes, fingers, or other faculties as a result of repetitive motion and/or long periods of standing or sitting. Duties require little physical effort in work with light to moderate (up to 25lbs) easy-to-handle materials.

Working Conditions:
Job is performed in general office or comparable working area with many and frequent distractions such as noise and interruptions. Work schedule may vary during high volume periods.

This general outline illustrates the type of work which characterizes the job classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.

CCV values individual differences that can be engaged in the service of learning. Diverse experiences from people of varied backgrounds inform and enrich our community. CCV strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. CCV is an Equal Opportunity Employer, in compliance with ADA requirements, and will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact Bo Finnegan for assistance with accommodations at bo.finnegan@ccv.edu.

All new full-time employees and certain part-time employees will be subject to a criminal background check. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of this check.

Application Instructions:In order to be considered, please submit a complete application package which includes a cover letter, resume/CV, employment application and contact information for three professional references at: http://ccv.edu/learn-about-ccv/employment.