Senior Financial Aid CounselorDepartment: Student Financial ServicesLocation: Wellesley Hills/FraminghamMassBay 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:
- Counselprospective and current students and their families on all aspects of theaid process;
- Collect,review and evaluate student financial aid applications and financial aidforms and documentation;
- Reviewfinancial aid files, perform needs analysis, verification, make correctionswhen necessary, and determine eligibility for Federal and State financialaid funds;
- Contributeto the development of policies and procedures;
- Responsiblefor area(s) of specialization for an internal or external program such aswork-study, loans, Pell grants, state aid, R2T4, Satisfactory AcademicProgress, or institutional scholarships etc.;
- Responsiblefor maintaining current knowledge in all aspects of financial aidincluding changes to federal and state regulations, participating inannual trainings, professional organizations, and conferences to keepabreast of new information and program changes to be implemented;
- Overseeand/or complete special projects assigned or directed by the Director ofFinancial Aid Services or Operations;
- Meetwith students virtually;
- Participatein events requiring a Financial Aid presence such as Open Houses,Orientations, Financial Aid Workshops, etc., and will occasionally requireweekend and/or evening work;
- Otherrelated 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 aidregulations and policies;
- Possess analytical, and organizational skillswith a strong attention to detail;
- Ability to establish rapport with a diversestudent population;
- Ability to work independently and as part of ateam;
- Ability to take initiative and provide leadershipin working with departmental and College initiatives;
- Commitment to student service;
- Ability to work occasional flexible hours/shiftspreferred and willingness to travel to all campuses (Wellesley Hills,Framingham and Ashland);
- Experience working with PeopleSoft is stronglypreferred;
- Experience with community college populationdesirable;
- 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 ofchoices for health insurance plans to meet individual/ family needs
- AffordableDental Insurance and vision discount program
- 12 paidState/ Federal holidays
- Generoussick, vacation, and personal time
- Teleworkoption depending on the role/department
- FlexibleSpending Plans to reduce your taxable income
- Low-costbasic and optional life insurance
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan, providing a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees at retirement
- Thinking tosave more money towards retirement: consider Deferred Compensation plansi.e., 457(b) or 403(b).
- TuitionBenefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
- FreeEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Eligibilitytowards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Free gym andparking on campus
Need more info: Position Type: MCCC-Professional Grade 4Application 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, ...@massbay.edu (781) ###-####), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the EqualEmployment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department ofEducation's Office for Civil Rights.