Financial Aid Advisor

Position Summary

Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

The individual in this position assists in the administration of a comprehensive student financial assistance program for all campuses of the college, including scholarships, grants, loans, tuition waivers, and student work-study employment; with funds from federal, state, institutional, CSM Foundation, and private sources.

The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check. This position is open until filled. The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Provides advisement to students and their families regarding college financial assistance, cost of attendance, college financial planning, and the application process for financial assistance.

Responds to students via telephone or email regarding their Financial Aid questions and concerns.

Exercises professional ability to make eligibility determinations and award Decisions, based on pertinent federal, state, or institutional guidelines.

Coordinates with other members of the Student Services Division to provide outreach to the community. Assists in publicizing the availability of financial assistance to prospective students and their families; including conducting financial assistance information sessions (typically called “Financial Aid Nights") at our campuses, tri-county high schools and other locations in our service area. These information sessions will be conducted independently at the selected sites.

Evaluates loan eligibility and certifies loan applications to banks and other lenders. Also conducts statutorily-required loan entrance and exit interviews.

Updates and awards scholarships funds with the assistance of the CSM Development Department.

Performs federally-required verifications of applicant data to determine accuracy of that data. Verification requires knowledge of income tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial documents. Researches information and contacts families when necessary to obtain more documentation.

Assists in the monitoring of enrollment status and academic progress of financial assistance recipients as required by law, and especially as required by provisions of the Higher Education Act, as amended.

Utilizes professional judgment in the evaluation of changes to financial circumstances of applicants and their families and authorizes adjustments to financial assistance applications as warranted.

Additional Duties:

Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Education and Training

Bachelor’s Degree is required

One to three years of directly related work experience in financial assistance programs preferred Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Proven organizational skills that include multi-tasking, ability to work independently and detail oriented

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, peers, and community

Effective communication, interpersonal and presentation skills

Knowledge and experience with integrated data systems.

Physical Requirements:

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.