Financial Aid Outreach Counselor

Job Description

Montgomery College has an immediate need for two (2) full‑time Financial Aid Outreach Counselor positions in the Financial Aid Department. One position is located on the Rockville Campus; the other on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. The work schedule is 40 hours a week:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.;
Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; with occasional evening and weekend hours as needed. This is a non‑bargaining, non‑exempt, grade 27 position. For non‑exempt positions, you are not eligible to work a secondary job at Montgomery College. The position is eligible for up to one telework day a week, subject to change based on unit needs.

The Financial Aid Outreach Counselor works under broad supervisory direction and serves as the main point of contact for departmental outreach activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Write, design, and conduct financial aid presentations and workshops to students and family representatives at middle schools, high schools, community organizations, and Montgomery College events, including bilingual presentation when required.
• Coordinate all departmental outreach requests, maintain the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) outreach calendar, and serve as the main point of contact for outside agencies and MC departments requesting financial aid presentations.
• Represent OSFA and MC at outreach events, radio interviews, community fairs, and workshops; facilitate workshops and seminars on financial aid and personal finance.
• Create and manage social media content for the OSFA.
• Provide statistical reports on outreach activities.
• Counsel and advise students and family representatives regarding financial aid regulations, application policies and procedures, eligibility determination methods, specific program requirements and limits, disbursement and appeal procedures, continued eligibility requirements, and related financial matters.
• Interpret rules and regulations, including Title IV, using comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
• Develop processes and procedures, update them as appropriate, and evaluate financial aid applications to determine eligibility.
• Award financial aid to eligible students using independent judgment and discretion; review appeals for exceptions and make determinations in accordance with state, federal, and institutional policies.
• Adjust student budgets and award amounts accordingly.
• Maintain statistical data; review and assign reports as needed.
• Manage a file review caseload and/or coordinate, administer or lead a specific federal, state, institutional or operational program or task.
• Possibly be responsible for a specific college‑wide program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in a financial aid office.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise may be considered.
• Driver’s license required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current Student Financial Aid Office policies and procedures, state and federal financial aid regulations and policies, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Comprehensive knowledge of one or more of the following programs: loans, work study, scholarships, or other federal or state programs; knowledge of institutional rules, guidelines, procedures, and practices, and of modern office procedures and practices as applied to the operations of a financial aid office.
• Thorough knowledge of customer service techniques for public contact.
• Proficiency in public speaking and communication with diverse communities.
• Thorough knowledge of office procedures and practices with the ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks in a demanding office environment.
• Ability to perform general office clerical work, apply technical rules and procedures, perform arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately, operate common office equipment, including desktop computers and relevant PC hardware and software applications.
• Eligible applicants must currently be…