Financial Aid Coordinator

About the Role

Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is seeking a Financial Aid Coordinator to join our Student Affairs team and play a vital role in helping students access the financial resources they need to pursue and complete their education. This is more than a financial aid processing position. The Financial Aid Coordinator serves as an important resource for students and families—helping them understand their options, navigate the financial aid process, resolve complex eligibility questions, and stay on track toward their educational goals. The successful candidate will bring strong attention to detail, excellent customer service skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to student success. This position supervises Financial Aid staff, and works closely with the Business Office, and other college personnel to support access, enrollment, persistence, and completion.

What You'll Do

• Administer federal, state, institutional, and other financial aid programs in accordance with applicable regulations and college policies.
• Manage and oversee financial aid processes, including application review, verification, awarding, disbursement, eligibility monitoring, and compliance.
• Counsel and advise students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, options, requirements, and responsibilities.
• Administer Federal Title IV programs, including Federal Pell Grants, FSEOG, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Loans.
• Review student records and resolve complex financial aid issues, including eligibility concerns and professional judgment requests.
• Monitor student eligibility at the end of each academic term and coordinate reinstatement processes when appropriate.
• Prepare and submit required federal and state reports and ensure the college remains eligible to participate in Title IV programs.
• Develop and maintain Cost of Attendance budgets and financial aid system processes.
• Work with student information and financial aid systems, including PeopleSoft, to build, test, and maintain financial aid tables and processes.
• Coordinate loan certification, entrance and exit counseling requirements, and Federal Work-Study awards and payroll processes.
• Collaborate with college personnel to monitor attendance, withdrawals, enrollment, and other factors affecting financial aid eligibility.
• Support financial aid communication strategies designed to encourage early FAFSA completion, enrollment, and continued student engagement.
• Provide financial aid workshops and participate in recruitment, outreach, high school visits, and other college events.
• Provide financial aid assistance at the Rockbridge Center as scheduled.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state regulations, including Title IV, Veteran-related programs, and applicable VCCS policies.

Required Qualifications

Knowledge:

• Federal, state, VCCS, and institutional financial aid policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Federal Title IV programs, including grants, loans, and work-study.
• Financial aid application, verification, awarding, disbursement, eligibility, and compliance requirements.
• FERPA and confidentiality requirements related to student records.
• Student information and financial aid management systems and institutional technologies.
• Supervisory methods and techniques, including employee training, delegation, performance management, coaching, feedback, and staff development.
• Customer service principles and practices in a higher education environment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interpret and apply financial aid regulations and institutional policies.
• Ability to analyze student records and resolve complex financial aid issues.
• Ability to explain complex financial aid information clearly to students and families.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage a significant workload, multi-task and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when issues require supervisory consultation.
• Ability to use student information systems, financial aid systems, Microsoft Office/Google Workspace, Navigate, SharePoint, and related technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team.

Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, education, student services, or a related field, and demonstrated experience in financial aid, higher education, student services, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience administering federal and state financial aid programs.
• Experience working with student information or financial aid systems.
• Experience in a community college or higher education environment.
• Experience providing student advising or customer service.

Pay & Schedule

• Hiring Range: $59,400 to $70,000 (depending upon education and years of experience)
• Work Schedule: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 5 pm; Friday 8 am to 3:30 pm
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Pay Band: 05