Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the full-time Financial Aid Assistant will assist in the administration of the College's Student Financial Aid office. Perform clerical tasks associated with the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid to Hood College students within applicable guidelines. Provide quality customer service and general support to students, faculty, administrators, and the public. Provide current information regarding sources of and application procedures for student financial aid programs. Assist financial aid counselors in the maintenance of financial aid records; grants, loans, and work-study awards. Carry out departmental projects. Work collaboratively with other Hood College units to provide effective quality student services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Administrative (60%)

• Receives all initial student contact regarding financial aid, and handles the disposition of concerns or referral to other resources within the institution.
• Receives student contacts by phone, email, and Responds to all student financial aid inquiries, and concerns within 48 hours.
• Respond in a professional manner with accurate information to inquiries regarding financial aid programs to potential and current students, parents, staff, and faculty. This may occur through one-on-one contact with students and families, in person, on the phone or by email.
• Schedule appointments as appropriate for financial aid staff.
• Schedule student information sessions and financial aid counseling/advising appointments.
• Sort all incoming mail and forward to the appropriate financial aid administrator.
• Files/scans necessary documentation into student financial aid files.
• Prepares, collects and reviews verification materials for analysis by the Financial Aid staff.
• Contact via phone or email individual students who have outstanding requirements needed to finalize their financial package.
• Supports the Financial Aid staff with the organization of the Perkins Loan files/documentation.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all student records.
• Enhance professional knowledge and skills by attending sessions, seminars, workshops and/or reviewing published literature.
• Create, organize and arrange student files. Assist in filing, purging and archiving student records.
• Create, verify, and maintain computer records related to Financial Aid.
• Assist work-study coordinator with work-study documents, direct deposit forms for students, I-9 forms, etc.
• Report problems to the supervisor or designee.

Customer Service (30%)

• Must be personable, with a professional approach to providing quality, front-line customer services in all forms of communication.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task with efficiency and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all members of the Hood College community.
• Providing outstanding customer service and application directions while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and/or receiving financial aid information and application directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Assist at College events by representing the Financial Aid office.
• Performs other duties as assigned and covered by Hood College Human Resources Division Classification Specifications and the Director of Financial Aid.
• Must be available to work Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
• Must be available to work Saturdays and Sundays when applicable.

Financial Aid (10%)

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing financial aid.
• Counsels and advises students about application procedures, aid programs, costs.
• Advise students regarding financial aid and explain alternative courses of action. Make appropriate referrals, as necessary.
• Explain provisions and contents of various forms and application processes.
• Ability to collect, organize and process information provided by financial aid applicants.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College's mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment;
• Must have the ability to perform work independently, accurately and thoroughly and maintain accurate records;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with all individuals;
• Must have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks;
• Must be a highly motivated, independent worker with attention to detail, initiative and good problem-solving skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written are also required. (Bilingual a plus)
• Comprehension, interpretation, and application of federal and college policies related to financial aid.
• Must show commitment to a team and the goals of the department.

Education and/or Experience

Associate degree required and a minimum of three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in an office work environment, or any equivalent combination of education and the required experience; Proficient in the latest Microsoft applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access; experience in PowerFAIDS a plus. Experience in higher education financial aid processes preferred.

Candidate must have experience in customer service, public speaking, electronic presentations, counseling, working in a fast-paced environment and making sound professional judgments based on federal, state and institutional regulations pertaining to the administrating of financial aid. Knowledge of PowerFAIDS, Direct Loan Tools (DL Tools) and/or other U.S. Department of Education software preferred.

Technology Skills

Strong computer proficiency in internet applications and email, Office Suite Productivity products (such as Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint), and office equipment such as fax and phone required. Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications. Knowledge of computerized financial aid systems (PowerFAIDS) or comparable database system and good analytical/critical thinking skills are important and highly desirable.

Language Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal relations skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, financial reports, procedures, governmental regulations and legal documents. Ability to effectively present information and positively respond to questions from prospective students and their parents; faculty and staff, and outside groups. Bilingual a plus.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or scheduled form; ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans; and ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Compensation

This is a position with an annual starting salary range of $33,300 to $37,000 depending on circumstances including an applicant's skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, training, and other relevant factors. Hood College has provided a compensation range representing its good faith estimate of what the College may pay for the position at the time of posting. The College may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. Hood College offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefits. Learn more about Hood College

To Apply

We invite qualified candidates to apply online via our electronic application which requires submission of a cover letter, resume and three professional references.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please email humanresources@hood.edu or call (301) 696-3592.

Hood College is committed to diversity in its faculty and staff and subscribes to a policy of hiring only individuals legally eligible to work in the United States. EOE/AAP/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including "Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the "Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD. 21701 (AD 312), (301) 696-3592. For complete information on Hood College's nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.