Financial Aid Specialist

Montgomery College, Central Services location in Rockville, is seeking candidates for a Full-Time Financial Aid Specialist. The regular work schedule is 40 hour a week, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with ability to accommodate departmental needs to cover required evenings and occasional Saturday outreach activities as needed. This is a bargaining, non-exempt, grade 25 position. This position is currently eligible for telework one (1) day per week. This eligibility will take effect after a six-month probationary period and is subject to change based on the needs of the unit. Montgomery College promotes and creates a working and learning environment rooted in the basic tenets of fairness, belonging, and inclusiveness.

Under general supervision, the Financial Aid Specialist follows established policies and procedures, and advises 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. The Financial Aid Specialist will evaluate applications and award financial aid to students. The work consists of performing administrative and technical activities of financial aid programs.

Duties of this position include:

• Advise students and their family representatives regarding financial aid regulations, the application policies and procedures, and methods used to determine eligibility, as well as review and explain specific program requirements, limits and ongoing eligibility, disbursement and appeal procedures, and other related financial matters.
• Support the administration of the financial aid program and/or process.
• Provide help to students when completing the application process.
• Perform program fund reconciliations and audits when needed.
• Assist with the Federal Work Study Program.
• Evaluate financial aid applications and determine financial aid eligibility in accordance with state, federal and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Award financial aid to eligible students using established guidelines.
• Evaluate potential exceptions to policies and regulations and escalate to higher level financial aid workers.
• Facilitate and/or participate in program specific or financial aid outreach activities.
• Maintain statistical data and review generated reports.
• May supervise student workers.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree.
• Three years experience working in a student Financial Aid Office.
• Working knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Office policies and procedures, state and federal financial aid regulations and policies, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following programs: loans, work study or other federal or state program.
• Ability to perform needs analysis and evaluate applications for financial aid while interpreting and applying complex regulations.
• Skill in the use of student financial aid data management systems.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service techniques for public contact.
• Skilled in interpersonal relations (including serving a diverse community) with ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, and work effectively with others within and outside of the institution.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
  Thorough knowledge of office procedures and practices with ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks in a demanding office environment.
• Skilled in use of business English, spelling, grammar and conventional styles and formats used in office communications.
• Ability to perform general office clerical work, apply technical rules and procedures, and perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Operate common office equipment including desktop computers and relevant pc hardware and software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite to include extensive work in Excel.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in higher education.

Hiring Range: $29.51- $38.35 annually. Initial salary placement for new hires falls between the minimum and midpoint of the range and is based on relevant candidate experience and internal equity.  The maximum salary for this position is $47.20.

 Application Process:

• Click Here to apply online
• For consideration, you must:
  • Include dates of employment in your application or attachment
  • Cover letters are encouraged and preferred
• 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.

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 benefits 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.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management at 240-567-5353 or [email protected].  We require at least two weeks advance notice to enable us to provide the requested accommodation.

Montgomery College is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting and fostering diversity among its student body, faculty, and staff.

Montgomery College is a tobacco-free and smoke-free workplace.