Financial Aid Advisor - Internal Posting

About Us

Founded in 1968 to meet the post-secondary and continuing education needs of Cecil County residents, Cecil College has been serving the community and shaping its future for more than 50 years. The College is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the governor, with its fifth president, Dr. Mary Way Bolt, reporting directly to the Board. Located in Maryland’s most northeastern county, just half a mile from Interstate 95, Cecil College is easily accessible from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wilmington, Delaware, and surrounding areas. The College enrolls approximately 2,500 credit students and 3,400 non-credit students, offering associate degrees, certificate programs, and non-credit classes through an open admissions policy.

Employees of Cecil College, including instructors for online and virtual courses, must be residents of Maryland or the contiguous states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S., as the College does not offer Visa sponsorships.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Advisor is responsible for the administration and reconciliation of multiple financial aid programs while adhering to federal, state, and college regulations. This role involves using various software and web-based applications specific to financial aid operations, reviewing student financial aid applications and records (including verification), and overseeing Veteran’s education benefits. The Advisor ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and performs Return to Title IV Funds calculations and reconciliations.

This position requires in-person presence but may be eligible for limited telework, depending on departmental needs.

Responsibilities

• Counsel parents and students regarding financial aid funding availability, eligibility requirements, and the application process, including escalated concerns.
• Conduct workshops on completing financial aid applications for prospective, new, and enrolled students.
• Act as backup for part-time staff covering the front office during working hours, as needed.
• Review student financial aid applications, perform federal verification, resolve conflicting information, and address C-coded records.
• Evaluate special circumstance requests and determine whether reprocessing FAFSA data is within program statute.
• Process financial aid withdrawals and perform “Return to Title IV Funds” calculations.
• Reconcile excess funds from federal drawdowns and process returns to the U.S. Department of Education to prevent “excess cash on hand.”
• Perform monthly reconciliation of Federal SEOG, Pell Grant, and Direct Loan Programs using reports from multiple sources.
• Review student data to determine proper funding levels, making adjustments or cancellations prior to disbursement.
• Maintain scholarship and tuition waiver awards, including bi-monthly reconciliation and pre-disbursement evaluation.
• Assist with end-of-term Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) evaluations, including reviewing students exceeding maximum timeframe limits, updating institutional systems, coordinating appeal reviews, and notifying students.
• Serve as the Federal Work Study Program coordinator, overseeing awarding, job listings, campus department liaisons, student orientations, and document processing.
• Act as backup for Maryland state grant administration, including roster evaluation, awarding, and reconciliation.
• Maintain archive records and ensure proper file management.
• Collaborate with office staff on duplication requests and materials orders.
• Assist the Director in maintaining audit-ready files for all audit/program reviews.
• Collaborate with College departments such as Registration and Accounts Receivable to process financial aid applications and reconcile awards.

Veteran Benefit Administration

• Counsel VA students and dependents on education benefits under various GI Bill chapters and advise throughout the application process.
• Evaluate VA Certification Request Forms, perform certifications for veteran’s benefits, and submit them to the VA to initiate payments.
• Monitor VA students’ enrollment and report changes to the VA to adjust payments as needed.
• Review academic progress at the end of each semester and notify the VA of any changes, including program of study updates.
• Maintain graduation checks for VA students to ensure only required courses are included in enrollment certifications.
• Ensure audit-ready files for Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and VA program reviews.
• Perform annual reconciliation of VA educational benefits using VA Payment reports and enrollment/certification records.
• Collaborate with College departments such as Registration and Accounts Receivable to obtain relevant data for processing VA education benefits.
• Work with the Institutional Research division to collate and submit 85/15 reporting information to the VA and communicate program approval/denial details.

Other Duties

• Increase and maintain in-depth knowledge of Title IV, VA, and MHEC regulations by attending workshops, conferences, and meetings.
• Participate in community outreach activities, campus events, and committees as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with coursework in business or accounting; master’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of substantive financial aid experience, with a strong working knowledge of Title IV programs and regulations, state programs, and VA education benefits.
• Customer service or accounts receivable experience.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and analytic skills.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to daily decisions in processing federal, state, and VA funds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Schedule

Work schedule may vary during critical periods, requiring evening, Saturday, or Sunday hours as needed.

Physical Demands

This position involves sedentary work, including lifting up to 20 pounds occasionally and carrying small items like files or tools. While the role primarily involves sitting, some walking and standing are necessary to carry out job duties.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday risks typical of offices, meeting rooms, or training spaces, requiring normal safety precautions. Periodic travel between college locations and state meetings may be required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Generous annual, sick, and personal leave, plus 19 paid holidays.
• Tuition assistance and waiver based on eligibility guidelines.
• Opportunity to enroll in retirement accounts (403B or Maryland State Retirement System based on eligibility).
• Voluntary retirement accounts with TIAA or Fidelity.
• Employer-provided basic life insurance and accidental death insurance.
• Employee-paid short-term disability and voluntary life insurance options.
• Access to the Fitness Center and library.

Pay

This is an exempt position (not overtime eligible) with a salary range of $57,309–$91,695. The budgeted salary for this position is $62,000.