Financial Aid Advisor

Job Summary and Responsibilities/Duties

Please submit application and materials by best consideration date of May 14, 2023.
Job Summary
Determines aid eligibility, performs needs analysis and verifies/certifies the awarding of aid to applicants, including federal, state, institutional, and private aid. Reviews appeals and makes professional judgment decisions regarding student aid eligibility. Administers student Financial Aid programs with integrity and excellent customer service. Provides Financial Aid services and advising to MHCC applicants, students, their parents, community members, and college employees.
Essential Duties

1. Conducts needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine applicant aid eligibility.
2. Determines and awards the types and amounts of Financial Aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state and institutional requirements. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards. Prepares award letters for electronic transfer.
3. Conducts verification of student and parent application data in compliance with federal criteria
4. Monitors and evaluates satisfactory academic progress of students. Evaluates academic and credit-limit appeals and makes appeal decisions regarding student aid eligibility.
5. Evaluates special circumstance appeals and makes professional judgment decisions as permitted by federal criteria. Adjusts FAFSA data elements and aid accordingly.
6. Provides customer service and Financial Aid advising to applicants, students, and their parents regarding all aspects of Financial Aid process. Makes necessary referrals to other student service offices.
7. Provides on-call, in-person support to the Student Services HUB, and conducts workshops or presentations on campus and in the community as requested by management. Collaborates cross-departmentally to best serve students and/or solve difficult or unusual situations and concerns.
8. Maintains appropriate documentation via data entry system.
9. Assists with development of departmental policy and procedures, including document creation and website content.
10. Implements current federal and state regulations and assists in developing institutional policies. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Additional Duties

1. Participates in regular training opportunities virtually and on- and off-campus as needed and/or requested by management to increase knowledge, skills, and abilities
2. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, education, computer science, social science or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in Title IV Financial Aid advising, eligibility, and need analysis, including experience assisting with verification and the process of awarding aid, including at least six (6) months of experience working in a college student support setting coaching and assisting students
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

At the college's discretion, additional education /experience may be substituted for experience/education on a year-for-year basis.
Desired Qualifications

• Experience evaluating appeals and making professional judgment decisions
• Experience with Financial Aid software, preferably Jenzabar CX
• Experience presenting information to small groups in a professional setting
• Bilingual skills with fluency in English and other language that meets community needs

Additional Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide excellent customer service for students and staff from all walks of life, including diverse and historically underrepresented populations, and do so with sensitivity to those experiencing family, personal, or economic crises.
• Familiar with principles of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and customer service best practices
• Able to conduct research, adapt to change, collaborate and exhibit patience with others, a team player
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and changing deadlines
• Ability to move quickly among various functions and responsibilities
• Ability to present information to small-medium sized groups.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills
• Entry-level bookkeeping and accounting knowledge
• Knowledge of and ability to apply the College's implementation of the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Must be able to attend off-campus trainings and events as needed
• Must be able to work occasional evening and/or weekend events

Working Conditions and Important Information

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is typically performed in an office environment and includes interaction with a variety of individuals. Due to staff and student traffic, ambient noise increases at peak service times throughout the year. Students may occasionally exhibit emotional or stressful behavior. Extensive use of computer requires long periods of sitting at a desk and repetitive hand/wrist motion for reviewing student files. Employees will occasionally work longer than normal hours and/or travel to other work sites.

Salary:
Initial salary placement will be based on years of relevant full-time equivalent experience at the sole discretion of the College, per the guidelines in the applicable Handbook or Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please include all relevant full and part-time experience in your application that you want the College to review towards potential placement. Hired employees will not have an opportunity to update past experience or appeal initial placement after the time of hire.
Important Information:
MHCC only accepts applications through our online application system at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/mhcc/default.cfm. For technical assistance, please call 855-524-5627.

Please note: We do not request or read letters of recommendation. Also, it is not necessary to upload a large number of documents with your materials. We are looking for the required documents and perhaps one or two additional documents of your choosing (optional). Faculty applications require a current resume, cover letter and official transcripts (copies are fine for application purposes) and/or any required certificates or licenses.

Please note: this is initially a self-screening system. We recognize that our application process can be lengthy, so before you begin, please read all of the stated requirements to determine if you meet them. Applicants must meet all of the stated minimum qualifications and additional requirements to be considered for this position. Based on your responses to the qualifying questions, the system may automatically screen you out from further consideration.

Position subject to budget consideration and approval.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background check as part of the employment process.

MHCC is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

MHCC provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235; OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015.

Qualifying veterans and disabled veterans may obtain preference by submitting as verification of eligibility a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) or a letter from the US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension to your application. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

If you are seeking this preference, appropriate documentation must be provided at the time of application. You may submit an electronic copy in the document upload area of the application in the section marked "veterans' preference document," or fax to 503-491-7257 or mail to Human Resources, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, OR 97030. If you do not have your documentation, you may request it through your Veterans' Administration Office.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three working days prior to the date of need.

Mt. Hood Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.