Success Initiative Senior Financial Aid Counselor (Part Time)

Success Initiative Senior Financial Aid Counselor (Part Time)

Department: Student Financial Services

Location: Wellesley Hills/Framingham
MassBay fosters educational excellence and academic success to prepare students for local and global citizenship, to meet critical workforce demands of communities, and to contribute to the region’s economic development.

Massachusetts Bay Community College values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply to join our community.
Located in Greater Boston, MassBay is a comprehensive, open-access community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs on three campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland, Massachusetts.
Position Summary:
The ideal candidate will join a vibrant and inclusive educational community and have a desire and ability to work with a diverse population. This is a part-time position with no benefits.
The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will primarily work with students supported by the SUCCESS Initiative in the planning, organization, and administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs for college students, including grants, scholarships, and loans. They will have a strong working knowledge of internal or external programs such as Federal Work-Study, loans and private loans, Pell grants, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and institutional scholarships, and will assist with performing special circumstances. This position also will counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility and policies, application procedures, aid programs, and indebtedness. The counselor will participate in events requiring a Financial Aid presence such as Open Houses, Orientation, Financial Aid Workshops, etc., and will occasionally require weekend and/or evening work.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Counsel prospective and current students and their families on all aspects of the aid process;
• Collect, review and evaluate student financial aid applications and financial aid forms and documentation;
• Review financial aid files, perform needs analysis, verification, make corrections when necessary, and determine eligibility for Federal and State financial aid funds;
• Maintain current knowledge in all aspects of financial aid including changes to federal and state regulations, participate in annual trainings, professional organizations, and conferences to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented;
• Consult with SUCCESS advisor/coaches and others to identify SUCCESS student cohort needs, connect SUCCESS student cohorts with community and college resources based on need, and engage regularly with student caseload to build rapport and trust;
• Prioritize connection and relationships to support SUCCESS student cohorts in their social/emotional well-being and provide students with the foundation to become increasingly capable of making informed decisions;
• Work closely with the SUCCESS Initiative including collaboration with Success advisor/coaches as well as other members of the initiative, and attend regular Success meetings;
• Track student progress, including follow-up, and contribute to the Success Grant compliance reporting;
• Participate in events requiring a Financial Aid presence such as Open Houses, Orientations, Financial Aid Workshops, etc., with occasional weekend and/or evening work;
• Oversee and/or complete special projects assigned or directed by the Associate Director of Financial Aid or designee;
• Other related duties as required.
  

Commitment to Equity:

• Support MassBay’s commitment to the Equity Agenda; collaborating with faculty, staff, and students on the College’s strategic initiatives dedicated to closing the equity gap related to student outcomes;
• Support MassBay’s commitment to being anti-racist; embracing a community free of bias and inequality;
• Contribute to discussion and review of applicable College policies with a critical lens toward diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Engage with the Office of Diversity on issues related to underserved student success;
• Further the examination of pertinent practices that are culturally responsive and reflective of inclusive perspectives; and
• Engage in conversations with colleagues and students regarding best practices within the discipline or programmatic related to equity and inclusion.
  

This list is not to be considered all-inclusive. A supervisor may assign other duties as required to meet the needs and foster the mission of the College.
All employees of MassBay are expected to work collegially and collaboratively within a community that values and celebrates diversity.
Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Accounting, Human Services, or closely related field; with two (2) years’ experience and/or training involving financial aid operations, or loan processing; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Sensitivity and commitment to the goals of Affirmative Action and workforce diversity;
• Experience working in a diverse environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved students;
• Strong knowledge of federal and state aid regulations and policies;
• Possess analytical, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail;
• Ability to establish rapport with a diverse student population;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Experience working with PeopleSoft is strongly preferred;
• Ability to take initiative and provide leadership in working with departmental and College initiatives;
• Commitment to student service;
• Experience with community college population desirable;
• Ability to work occasional flexible hours/shifts preferred and willingness to travel to all campuses (Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland).
  

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $33 per hour

Position Type: Part-time MCCC Professional Grade 4

Application Deadline: November 4, 2022, or thereafter until filled.

To Apply: Please include a letter of interest and resume with your online application.
Staff
All MassBay Community College students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Accordingly, initial employment is dependent upon receipt and verification of full vaccination status records; details of how to fulfill vaccine record verification requirements will be provided during the hire and onboarding process.
This is a grant funded position, and position is contingent on funding.
Final candidates are required to provide sealed transcripts and/or certifications.
Hiring is contingent upon a successful CORI clearance.
Massachusetts Bay Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College’s Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, Lisa MacDonald, Director of Equity Compliance, lmacdonald@massbay.edu, (781) 239-3147, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.