Howard Community College · 1 month ago
Financial Aid Counselor
Columbia, MD
Full-time
Onsite
Entry Level
$59K/yr - $77K/yr
1+ years expHoward Community College (HCC) is an innovative institution committed to serving a diverse community. The Financial Aid Counselor will assist students and families with financial aid processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while providing excellent customer service. This role includes counseling, file management, and coordination of financial aid programs.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Maintains and utilizes current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional Title IV financial aid regulations
Counsels and assists prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the application process and eligibility for financial aid
Maintains comprehensive knowledge of and complies with federal, state and institutional regulations
Determines student eligibility to receive financial aid funds in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations
Packages all eligible students according to the established policies and procedures
Reviews, corrects and certifies all file information for disbursement of awards and ensures that all information entered into the student information system Colleague is accurate and complete
Calculates Satisfactory Academic Progress on a case-by-case basis to determine a student’s status
Identifies and determines special circumstances in order to utilize Professional Judgment in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures
Guides and directs front counter personnel by answering questions and reviewing student accounts with them
Works with other campus units, such as, but not limited to, Records and Registration, Admissions and Advising, and Finance to resolve student issues
Plans and conducts financial aid workshops, information sessions, and paying for college sessions and other programs, such as the ”FAFSA Friday’s” for internal and external constituencies
Maintains memberships and participates in appropriate organizations and attends regular training sessions
Performs other duties as assigned
Serves as a backup to the Associate Director in functions such as importing files, running the disbursement process, and reviewing Pell overpayments
Review and process student loan requests in accordance with federal laws and regulations
Maintains an alpha caseload, reviewing all necessary documents and resolving conflicting information to complete file processing
Coordinate and manage financial aid programs, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures, as assigned by the Associate Director and/or the Director of Financial Aid Services
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree
1 year of experience
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations
Ability to ensure compliance of the student's file and awards with federal and state laws and regulations, and institutional policy
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to work flexibly with diverse constituencies within and outside the college community
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and highest professional and ethical standards
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
Regular attendance is a requirement of this job
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in education, business or related fields
Prior experience in financial aid strongly preferred
Excellent interpersonal, communication (including public speaking and writing), and customer service skills
Ability to work effectively as a member of the office team and other teams
Excellent technology skills, including interest in and ability to learn and utilize applications and equipment of all kinds
Ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data
Ability to identify conflicting information and exercise professional judgement as appropriate
Proactive in identifying and resolving problems
Knowledge of all available ways to pay for college at HCC
Knowledge of procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Reg., Testing), and the Finance Office preferred
Knowledge and experience with Ellucian and ImageNow systems preferred
Knowledge of Internet, automated financial aid processing, college network, phone, electronic mail, and college website required
Ability to learn, implement, use, and train others in new computer applications
Benefits
Competitive salaries
Excellent medical and dental selections
Tuition reimbursement
Paid leave programs
The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution
The ORP , a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only
Company
Howard Community College
Since 1970, Howard Community College (HCC) has been a preferred college choice for students and families in Howard County, Maryland.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$3.46MKey Investors
U.S. Department of EducationTruist FoundationMaryland Department of Labor
2025-11-21Grant· $2.2M
2024-11-07Grant· $0.05M
2024-10-17Grant· $0.15M
Leadership Team
Minah Woo
Vice President of Workforce, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships
Alan Nettles, M.S.
ENGLISH COMPOSITION ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Recent News
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