Job Title: Financial Aid Counselor (Temporary)

Department: Financial Aid

Division: Admission & Financial Aid

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Financial Aid

Grade: 5

Salary Range: $52,000 - $60,000

Work Schedule: Full-time Full-time (In-person during training and through the month of April. Hybrid work option after that.)

Go here to apply:

https://mica.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Staff/job/Baltimore-MD/Financial-Aid-Counselor--Temporary-_R2588

Position summary:  Provides excellent customer service and guidance to financial aid applicants and their families throughout the financial aid application process; determines eligibility within the parameters of institutional, state and federal
requirements.

Position responsibilities:

• Provide advising throughout the financial aid process to prospective, new and current students and their families. Must have a thorough knowledge of available types of financial aid, scholarships and general student eligibility criteria.

• Responsible for a case load that provides life-cycle processing for their cohort of students. These processes require significant breadth and depth of financial aid knowledge related to packaging, verification, loans, SAP, professional judgments, State Aid, Pell LEU, SULA, UEH, default or overpayment issues, student eligibility, and citizenship review.

• Exercises independent judgment in the management of operational details of the financial aid process including but not limited to:

  • Reviews incoming financial aid application and any supporting documentation needed to determine the accuracy of the financial and household information reported on the FAFSA. This requires knowledge of not only federal financial aid regulations but basic IRS tax laws and how they relate to federal financial aid.

  • Complete assigned duties with a high degree of accuracy to ensure compliance while experiencing multiple interruptions.

  • Exercises great attention to detail when completing assignments as error in judgment or calculations could result in unintended consequences for the student and/or the institution such as under or over funding of a student, loss of student eligibility, audit findings, fines, damage to school’s reputation or loss of institutional eligibility.

  • Has the authority to recalculate and make changes to financial aid awards when a student's eligibility changes.

• Maintain knowledge of policies of other departments (registrar, student accounts, student advising, etc.) and understand the impact of them on a student’s financial aid eligibility.

• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations.

• Other duties as assigned by the AVP for Financial Aid.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to learn and utilize technology and the systems used to determine a student's eligibility and originate a financial aid award. (These include: NSLDS, COD, CPS, MS Word, Excel, etc.)

• Ability to interpret complex financial aid regulations and apply appropriately in different situations

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

• Ability to present to small and larger groups

• Experience working with diverse populations

• Excellent communication, organizational, computer, and presentation skills

• Financial planning, banking, or other related skills

• Ability to: multi-task in very busy environment

Minimum qualifications:

• Associates Degree, or demonstrated years of financial aid working experience can be substituted for the associates degree

• Demonstrates experience working in a Financial Aid or other student services related office

• Knowledge and experience in higher education with student information system (People Soft, Workday, or other related systems). Other transferable skills may be substituted.

Reporting to this position: no direct reports

Conditions of Employment: Satisfactory Background Check results

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.