Job Description:

Senior Financial Aid Counselor

Senior Financial Aid Counselor

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.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will assist in the planning,organization, and administration of federal, state, and institutional financialaid programs for college students, including grants, scholarships, and loans.The Senior Counselor will perform a specialist role providing oversight andmanagement for internal or external program(s) such as work-study, loans, Pellgrants, Satisfactory Academic Progress, state aid, R2T4, and institutionalscholarships. This position alsocounsels students and families regarding financial aid eligibility andpolicies, application procedures, aid programs, and indebtedness. The counselorwill also participate in events requiring a Financial Aid presence such as OpenHouses, Orientation, Financial Aid Workshops, etc., and will occasionallyrequire 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;
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures;
• Responsible for area(s) of specialization for an internal or external program such as work-study, loans, Pell grants, state aid, R2T4, Satisfactory Academic Progress, or institutional scholarships etc.;
• Responsible for maintaining current knowledge in all aspects of financial aid including changes to federal and state regulations, participating in annual trainings, professional organizations, and conferences to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented;
• Oversee and/or complete special projects assigned or directed by the Director of Financial Aid Services or Operations;
• Meet with students virtually;
• Participate in events requiring a Financial Aid presence such as Open Houses, Orientations, Financial Aid Workshops, etc., and will occasionally require weekend and/or evening work;
• Other related duties as required.

Commitment toEquity:

• 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) yearsexperience and/or training involving financial aid operations, or loanprocessing; or an equivalent combination of education, training, andexperience.

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 a strong attention to detail;
• Ability to establish rapport with a diverse student population;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to take initiative and provide leadership in working with departmental and College initiatives;
• Commitment to student service;
• Ability to work occasional flexible hours/shifts preferred and willingness to travel to all campuses (Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland);
• Experience working with PeopleSoft is strongly preferred;
• Experience with community college population desirable;
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Portuguese.
  

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $61,692 - $68,989, in accordance with one's education and experience as dictated bythe collective bargaining agreement classification compensation structure.

As a Massachusetts State Employee, youare offered an outstanding suite of benefits adding value to your salary.

• Array of choices for health insurance plans to meet individual/ family needs
• Affordable Dental Insurance and vision discount program
• 12 paid State/ Federal holidays
• Generous sick, vacation, and personal time
• Telework option depending on the role/department
• Flexible Spending Plans to reduce your taxable income
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan, providing a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees at retirement
• Thinking to save more money towards retirement: consider Deferred Compensation plans i.e., 457(b) or 403(b).
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Free gym and parking on campus
  

Need more info: https://www.massbay.edu/employment/benefits

Position Type: MCCC-Professional Grade 4

Application Deadline: November 30, 2024, or thereafter until filled.

To Apply: Please include a letter of interest and resume with your online application.

Staff

Hiring is subject to state appropriation funding.

Final candidates are required to provide sealed transcripts and/or certifications.

Hiring is contingent upon a successful CORI clearance.

Massachusetts Bay Community College isan affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate onthe basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability,religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or relatedconditions, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes or sexualorientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of theEducational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The Collegeprohibits Sex-Based Harassment. Inquiries or complaints concerningdiscrimination, harassment, or retaliation shall be referred to the College’sAffirmative Action Officer and/or Title IX Coordinator (Lisa MacDonald, lmacdonald@massbay.edu (781) 239-3147), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the EqualEmployment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department ofEducation’s Office for Civil Rights.

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