What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Administrative Counselor position at Frederick Community College?
Position Summary
Position Summary:
The Financial Aid Administrative Counselor play a crucial role in supporting students by providing expert guidance on financial aid options, ensuring compliance with Title IV regulations, utilizing strong technical skills for financial aid processing, and facilitating efficient application procedures. The position involves planning, developing, and performing activities related to administrative and technical tasks within financial aid programs. Duties encompass a wide range of processes and methods, requiring a comprehensive understanding of established policies and procedures. The Financial Aid Administrative Counselor must interpret rules and regulations to respond appropriately to inquiries, exercise independent judgment, and make decisions after thorough consideration of possibilities. This position has exceptional oral and written communication skills, supports the enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives at the College, and must work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and use varying styles and approaches that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural workplace.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are the functions essential to performing this job in addition to other duties as assigned:
Title IV Administration
1. Demonstrate expertise in Title IV regulations, including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study programs.
2. Stay informed about changes in federal financial aid policies and regulations, ensuring accurate and up-to-date counseling to students.
3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of financial aid interactions and communications with students.
4. Ensure that all documentation complies with federal and state regulations and is readily available for audit purposes.
Financial Aid Advising
1. Stay informed about changes in all financial aid policies and regulations, ensuring accurate and up-to-date counseling to students.
2. Conduct one-on-one financial aid counseling sessions with students to explain eligibility criteria, application processes, and the types of financial aid available.
3. Assist students in completing and submitting financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State Aid Application for undocumented students.
Financial Aid Processing
1. Utilize strong technical skills to process financial aid applications efficiently, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of funds.
2. Collaborate with the financial aid processing team to verify student eligibility, resolve discrepancies, and confirm award and disbursement amounts.
3. Evaluate and resolve complex financial aid issues, utilizing problem-solving skills and professional judgment based on federal and state regulations.
4. Exercise discretion and flexibility to address unique student situations, while ensuring compliance with established policies.
Administrative and Technical Tasks
1. Plan, develop, and perform activities related to administrative and technical tasks within financial aid programs.
2. Execute varied duties that involve a wide range of processes and methods, adhering to established policies and procedures.
Communication and Outreach
1. Communicate effectively with students, parents, and college staff regarding financial aid procedures, requirements, and deadlines.
2. Collaborate with outreach initiatives to provide financial aid information at workshops, orientations, and other campus events.
Professional Development
1. Stay abreast of developments in financial aid and higher education through ongoing professional development opportunities.
2. Participate in training sessions and workshops to enhance knowledge and skills related to financial aid counseling and processing.
The Financial Aid Administrative Counselor play a crucial role in supporting students by providing expert guidance on financial aid options, ensuring compliance with Title IV regulations, utilizing strong technical skills for financial aid processing, and facilitating efficient application procedures. The position involves planning, developing, and performing activities related to administrative and technical tasks within financial aid programs. Duties encompass a wide range of processes and methods, requiring a comprehensive understanding of established policies and procedures. The Financial Aid Administrative Counselor must interpret rules and regulations to respond appropriately to inquiries, exercise independent judgment, and make decisions after thorough consideration of possibilities. This position has exceptional oral and written communication skills, supports the enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives at the College, and must work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and use varying styles and approaches that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural workplace.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are the functions essential to performing this job in addition to other duties as assigned:
Title IV Administration
1. Demonstrate expertise in Title IV regulations, including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Work-Study programs.
2. Stay informed about changes in federal financial aid policies and regulations, ensuring accurate and up-to-date counseling to students.
3. Maintain accurate and confidential records of financial aid interactions and communications with students.
4. Ensure that all documentation complies with federal and state regulations and is readily available for audit purposes.
Financial Aid Advising
1. Stay informed about changes in all financial aid policies and regulations, ensuring accurate and up-to-date counseling to students.
2. Conduct one-on-one financial aid counseling sessions with students to explain eligibility criteria, application processes, and the types of financial aid available.
3. Assist students in completing and submitting financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State Aid Application for undocumented students.
Financial Aid Processing
1. Utilize strong technical skills to process financial aid applications efficiently, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of funds.
2. Collaborate with the financial aid processing team to verify student eligibility, resolve discrepancies, and confirm award and disbursement amounts.
3. Evaluate and resolve complex financial aid issues, utilizing problem-solving skills and professional judgment based on federal and state regulations.
4. Exercise discretion and flexibility to address unique student situations, while ensuring compliance with established policies.
Administrative and Technical Tasks
1. Plan, develop, and perform activities related to administrative and technical tasks within financial aid programs.
2. Execute varied duties that involve a wide range of processes and methods, adhering to established policies and procedures.
Communication and Outreach
1. Communicate effectively with students, parents, and college staff regarding financial aid procedures, requirements, and deadlines.
2. Collaborate with outreach initiatives to provide financial aid information at workshops, orientations, and other campus events.
Professional Development
1. Stay abreast of developments in financial aid and higher education through ongoing professional development opportunities.
2. Participate in training sessions and workshops to enhance knowledge and skills related to financial aid counseling and processing.
Required Minimum Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s Degree
2. Three (3) years of demonstrated experience in administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
3. Experience using a document imaging system and higher education enterprise student application/student information system
2. Three (3) years of demonstrated experience in administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
3. Experience using a document imaging system and higher education enterprise student application/student information system
Desired Qualifications
1. Master’s Degree
2. Experience working in a community college setting
3. Certifications in Financial Aid or related fields (e.g., NASFAA)
4. Multilingual
2. Experience working in a community college setting
3. Certifications in Financial Aid or related fields (e.g., NASFAA)
4. Multilingual
