Financial Aid Analyst

$60,883 - $60,883/Yr

Howard Community College - Columbia, MD

Part-time - Mid Level

Columbia, MD

Educational Services

About the position

The Financial Aid Analyst at Howard Community College (HCC) plays a crucial role within the Financial Aid Services Scholarships and Grants team. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations, ensuring institutional compliance. The analyst will manage the Maryland State Financial Aid Program, which encompasses awarding, certification, roster preparation and submission, and reconciliation. Additionally, the role involves providing support for institutional aid processing and performing testing of Colleague software patches as part of the testing team for all upgrades and new functionalities that impact Maryland State Financial Aid processing. The analyst will also administer other unit technology functions, such as digital imaging, and collaborate closely with the systems team to develop, test, and implement technological process improvements and solutions for various office functions. In this position, the Financial Aid Analyst will conduct file reviews and verifications, identifying any additional information needed to resolve conflicting data, and awarding students as necessary. This role is critical in ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and institutional policies on an individual student basis. The analyst will also assist the customer service team in responding to student inquiries related to the areas overseen by this position. Responsibilities include managing the Maryland State Financial Aid Program, preparing audit documentation, and supporting the systems team in technological improvements. The analyst must maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations and policies, advise students on the application process, and determine eligibility for financial aid funds according to established regulations. Furthermore, the analyst will review and certify file information for disbursement, provide training to staff, and work collaboratively with other campus units to resolve student issues. This position may also involve serving as a backup to the Senior Financial Aid Analyst and Associate Director in various functions, ensuring a comprehensive approach to financial aid management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Maryland State Financial Aid Program including awarding, certifying, roster preparation and submission, and reconciliation.
• Assist with preparing Maryland State audit documentation and respond to follow-up questions from auditors regarding specific cases.
• Perform testing of Colleague software patches as a key member of the testing team for all types of upgrades, new functionality and reports that impact Maryland State Financial Aid processing.
• Support the systems team to develop, test, and implement technological process improvements and solutions for a wide range of office functions.
• Maintain current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional Title IV financial aid regulations and policies.
• Advise and assist prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the application process and eligibility for financial aid.
• Determine student eligibility to receive financial aid funds in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Review, correct and certify all file information for disbursement or awards and ensure that all information entered into Colleague is accurate and complete.
• Provide training to other staff members such as Front Counter staff and counselors about Maryland State Financial Aid programs.
• Identify and determine special circumstances in order to utilize Professional Judgment in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Guide and direct front counter personnel by answering questions and reviewing student accounts with them.
• Work with other campus units to resolve student issues.
• Collaborate with MHEC Office of Student Financial Aid staff to resolve student issues and clarify state regulations.
• Review and award institutional scholarships in collaboration with the Senior Financial Aid Analyst.
• Serve as a backup to the Senior Financial Aid Analyst and Associate Director in functions such as completing scholarship database updates and responding to inquiries from faculty, staff, and students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's Degree in Business, Higher Education or related fields strongly preferred.
• Three years of financial aid experience required, preferably at the level of counselor or assistant director.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as data analysis capabilities, including understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios.
• Excellent knowledge of all laws and regulations pertaining to federal and state financial aid and related institutional policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Electronic Data Exchange, National Student Loan Data System, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with integrated database systems (Colleague preferred).
• Experience with scholarship database systems (Scholarship Universe preferred).
• Experience with Maryland State Financial Aid preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations required.
• Excellent ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data and produce related reports required.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to establish and manage multiple, and often competing priorities.
• Outstanding abilities to work independently and proactively identify and resolve problems.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including working with constituents to resolve challenging situations, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with several levels of staff and management, and excellent written and verbal (including public speaking) skills required.
• Knowledge of relevant Student Services and Finance Office policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required.
• 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 Colleague 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.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Maryland State Financial Aid preferred.
• Knowledge of relevant Student Services and Finance Office policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Excellent medical and dental selections
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid leave programs
• Participation in the Maryland Retirement and Pension System with two retirement options: The Pension and The ORP (403b) with employer contributions.