Financial Aid Counselor
Listed compensation
$48k-$54k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about call expectations and nights and shift pattern.
Job Description
Department: Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Position Overview
The Counselor is responsible for counseling and advising current and prospective students and their families on the federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, assisting with the removal of barriers to receive educational funding.
With a student centered focus, the Counselor provides information on policies, procedures, and eligibility of financial aid programs.
The Counselor analyzes and processes student financial aid records including federal verification, certification of loans, awarding grants, evaluating/reviewing student files, and reconciling student accounts. The Counselor participates in orientation programs, outreach and awareness events on and off campus.
The Counselor is assigned as the lead for one or more financial aid programs and performs other duties as assigned.
Why Work at UMBC?
UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $47,500 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.
What is it like to work at UMBC? Check out Glassdoor
or Indeed.
For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For!
Telework
A hybrid telework schedule may be available. (Delete if telework is not available for this position.)
Responsibilities
- Counseling students and parents in person, on the phone and at financial aid information sessions on and off campus. Contacting appropriate staff within and outside of the department/university, as required, to resolve student aid related issues.
- Reviewing, processing, and performing verification of financial aid forms and applications. Determining eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. Updating the financial aid system to make financial aid offers and changes to awards.
- Managing assigned financial aid related programs or tasks including maintaining policies and procedures; acting as office liaison for assigned program(s).
- Participating in on and off campus training programs to remain education and current on financial aid related changes.
- Participating in on and office campus opportunities to promote professional growth and development.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment
- Customer service experience is helpful
Background Screening Statement
A background check will be required.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Upload a cover letter and a resume.
Closing Date: Open Until Filled Benefits
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.
Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here ):
Generous Leave which
includes accruing:
- 22 Days of Annual Leave
- 15 Days of Sick Leave
- 15 Holidays
- 3 Personal Days
Tuition Remission
- 8 credit hours per semester
- Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment
Additional Benefits
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
- Professional development opportunities
- Wellness opportunities
- & Much more
Salary
Salary: $47,500 -$53,500 depending on qualifications and experience.
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.
The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Hours: Full Time Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Equal Opportunity Statement:
UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Title IX: As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.
Accommodation
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a. m. and 4:00 p. m. Monday through Friday.
Work Authorization As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
Requirements
The minimum requirement is a Bachelor's Degree, although strong interpersonal skills, adaptability to a fast-paced environment, and customer service experience are preferred qualifications. Applicants must be prepared for a background check upon hire.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Financial Aid Counselor at UMBC a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Counseling — ranked against 13,439 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, remote work flexibility, flexible scheduling.
Other — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 28% have no call, 66% require no weekends — this position is remote.
Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$51k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $48k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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