Senior Financial Aid Counselor

The Office of Academic Affairs, Enrollment Administration / Student Financial Assistance is recruiting for a Senior Financial Aid Counselor. The selected candidate will serve as the point person for financial aid for one or more of the seven (7) professional schools at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). The Counselor practices counseling and decision-making with principles that are sensitive to the challenges of students in their assigned cohort, while adhering to the U.S. Department of Education and University Student Financial Assistance & Enrollment Services Policies and Procedures.   Benefits Information:  UMB offers a generous benefits package that includes 22 vacation days, 14 floating and holidays, 15 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any of the University System of Maryland schools.   The University of Maryland, Baltimore was ranked one of America's Best Large Employers by Forbes Magazine. (Feb 2021)   In the Fall of 2021, UMB will require all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.       Essential Functions:

• Provides leadership and counseling to students, families, and the University community. Counseling responsibilities include advising on financial literacy, realistic goal setting for borrowing as well as providing individual entrance and exit counseling for students who request this service.
• Serves as a team leader for the Financial Aid Counselors and works with senior management to identify training needs and process improvement.
• Responsible for orienting and training others, and assigning and reviewing their work. May also be responsible for acting in a “lead” or “senior” capacity over other financial aid counselors
• Assist the leadership team in monitoring and adjusting financial aid in excess of financial need
• Analyzes workflow and various processes relating to financial aid packaging and awarding
• Assists in the annual review and revision of departments Policies and Procedures Manual
• Participates in activities relating to the federal verification process
• Participates in school orientation programs and outreach events
• Serves as point person for federal exit counseling and delinquent borrowers follow up
• Follows established policy and procedures for awarding recouped scholarship funds during the fall and spring term.
• Reviews requests for budget increases and makes recommendations to the management on behalf of the student. Completes processing of financial aid requests from students including but not limited to federal verification and federal loan processing. May assist in federal work study.
• Evaluates financial aid applications and determines amount/configuration of aid packages for students ensuring the University is in compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies governing financial aid.
• Ensures financial aid data is processed accurately and students accept the funds they are eligible to receive.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

  Qualifications    Education:  Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study.
Experience:  Three (3) years of experience in a financial aid office.
Other:  Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.     Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current knowledge of Title IV and Title VII financial aid programs. Knowledge of how state programs integrate with federal and institutional funding.
• Knowledge of Financial Aid Management Systems and/or Student Information Systems - (NSLDS, COD, Banner operating system or similar financial aid operating system).
• Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements.
• Ability to accomplish detailed tasks and follow a system of procedures and timetables.
• Ability to work both as a part of a team and independently on projects and assignments.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and effective work relations with students, staff, faculty and the general public.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make sound judgments about financial aid awards based upon comparisons and interpretations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage both detailed and multiple tasks in concert with one another. Excellent computer skills to include financial aid computer applications.

 
The Hiring Range for this position is in the mid $50,000s to low $60,000s, commensurate with education and experience.     UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.
If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.