Associate Director Of Financial Aid Services, Scholarships And Grants

About Us

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title Associate Director of Financial Aid Services, Scholarships and Grants FLSA Exempt FT/PT Full Time Hours Per Week 37.5 Work Schedule M-F 8:30-5 Grade 17 Minimum Compensation $75,634 General Responsibilities

This position is a critical team member to help ensure that the college is compliantly administering the federal and state aid programs. This position administers all scholarships and grants at Howard Community College, including HCC Foundation Scholarships, Maryland State Scholarships, Rouse Scholarships, Freshman Focus Scholarships, Silas Craft Scholarships, STEM Scholars, and other scholarships and grants as they may become available.

Creates the HCC Foundation Scholarship application in coordination with a representative from the HCC Foundation. Promotes all available state and institutional scholarships, including working with other units that incorporates scholarships into specific programs. Advises students on scholarship programs and requirements.

Administers student selection process and awards funds for most scholarships. Works with internal and external scholarship committees on the selection of scholarship recipients, including assisting with the establishment of equitable procedures. Reconciles accounts on all scholarship funds.

Works with donors to promote scholarship programs and increase donor support through annual giving and endowments as deemed necessary by the Development Office (Thank You Letter campaign). Develops and maintains the scholarship management system, the scholarship web site, and scholarship publications. Performs all reporting functions related to state and institutional scholarships. This position also assist with financial aid counseling as appropriate and serves as the manager on call for the frontline and financial aid counselors, as needed.

Work Performed

• Administers HCC Foundation scholarship application and selection process. Forwards appropriate candidates to committees for their recommendations on recipients

• Manages all scholarships for specific programs, such as Rouse Scholars, Silas Craft Collegians, STEM Scholars and Freshman Focus. Works with different program coordinators to designate funds for scholarships, award funds, and counsel students throughout the semester on scholarship issue.

• Establishes scholarship criteria and selection processes with input from donors or committees as defined by the scholarship agreement, rules, regulations, etc.

• Advises HCC students on the availability of and requirements for various HCC and external scholarships.

• Ensures all institutional financial aid programs are compliant with all federal regulations and institutional objectives and policies.

• Oversees the state required verification process and approves all Maryland State scholarships and grants. Determines and certifies recipients' academic progress.
  
  Reconciles all awards which direct deposits from the state are received. Coordinates and advises the student appeals process with the state financial aid office. Verifies accuracy of student application information.

• Works closely with the Finance Office on reconciliations for both Maryland State and HCC Foundation Scholarship funds.

• Manages disbursement and reconciliation of HCC Foundation Scholarship funds. Establishes budgets.
  
  Awards and disburses funds to students. Tracks recipients' satisfactory academic progress. Prepares reports to Foundation on scholarship recipients and expenditures.

• Works closely with the Public Relations and Admissions and Advising Offices to promote scholarship opportunities and develop promotional publications.

• Works closely with financial aid representative in the Workforce Career and Community Education Department.

• Coordinates nominations for select programs.

• Meets with potential donors to promote HCC scholarship program.

• Coordinates scholarship-related events. Assists with planning for various donor events.

• Represents HCC at various public scholarship functions. Speak on behalf of college and scholarship program.

• Designs and conducts scholarship and financial aid workshops for various high school, college, and community groups.

• Ensures the college is compliant with all federal and state regulations, and institutional objectives and policies.

• Provides financial aid counseling. Keeps current with all changes to financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Fulfills all reporting requirements related to institutional scholarships, external scholarship and grant programs.

• Develops and maintains a scholarship web site in accordance with college policies and procedures.

Minimum Education Required Bachelor's degree Minimum Number of Years Experience Required 5 Other Knowledge Required

Formal Education, Courses, Training Programs, and Experience

A Bachelor's degree is required; master's degree strongly preferred with a minimum of five years' experience in financial aid administration or a combination of education, experience and skills relevant to managing a comprehensive financial aid and scholarship programs. Superior critical thinking and data analysis skills, including understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios as well as experience with the review and evaluation of complex federal tax returns required.

Experience with administration of the federal programs required and with Maryland State Scholarship programs strongly preferred. Prior supervisory experience required. Prior experience in strategic planning and budget management preferred.

Experience and knowledge of Colleague System strongly preferred; experience with a student data base system is required, particularly in relation to financial aid modules. Excellent technology knowledge and experience required, including various software applications, such as Microsoft Office, imagining technology, the Web and e-mail. Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, including public speaking, and writing required.

Outstanding customer service and managerial experience. Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment required.

Experience working with a broad range of college departments and a diverse range of students required.

Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering financial aid outreach programs. Prior experience with and participation in regional and national financial aid training workshops and conferences preferred.

Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures

Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required.

Knowledge of FERPA required.

Knowledge of procedures, including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records and Registration, Testing), and the Finance Office strongly preferred. Outstanding technology skills, including knowledge and experience with student systems (preferably Colleague) and digital imaging technology (ImageNow) systems required.

Knowledge of Internet, FATV, automated financial aid processing, scholarship technology (STARS), tracking software, college network, phone, e- mail, and college website required. Ability to learn, implement, use, and train others in new technology applications.

Specialized Publications and Resource Materials

The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, Common Manual for federal loans, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and US DOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and SFA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality required.

Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Working Conditions

Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and sometimes high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of numerous tasks. Evening hours required.

This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility is an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods. Occasional weekend programs required. Local and some distance traveling required.

Supervisory Postion? Yes Division Enrollment Services (Div) Department Financial Aid Services