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College Overview

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is an award-winning, comprehensive urban college serving one of the most historic and ethnically diverse areas of the United States. HCCC students were born in 119 countries and speak 29 different languages. The diversity and the multitude of our community’s cultures, life experiences, skills and aspirations, are the very values and traits that empower us to be productive and caring members of our society.

HCCC embodies an unwavering commitment to student success and an intentional focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2019, the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PACDEI) was instituted to develop new levels of understanding and access and advance the College’s commitment to transparency and inclusion. We are proud of the differences we share, which are the foundation for the life-changing and transformational education we offer and the social mobility we provide to the communities we serve.

HCCC has three campuses located just minutes from Manhattan: The Journal Square campus in Jersey City and North Hudson Campus in Union City are adjacent to vital transportation hubs; the Secaucus Center has abundant parking. Fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the College offers courses and classes in a wide variety of disciplines to the people and businesses of Hudson County, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the United States. The College was recently recognized with the 2021 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Regional Equity Award, and the 2021 INSIGHT into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. In 2016 the Gabert Library was one of three academic libraries in the United States to receive the Excellence in Academic Libraries Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and in 2019 the HCCC Tutoring Center received the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award for Two-Year Institutions. In 2019, the College joined Achieving the Dream, a network of high achieving community colleges, part of its expanding effort toward continuous improvement in student success.

HCCC has partnerships with every major four-year college and university in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education. Hudson County Community College is proud of its culture of care and invites applications from those wishing to join a community dedicated to promoting student success in all forms.

Position Summary

Performs various activities of a routine to complex nature regarding the determination of financial assistance to eligible students in support of the College’s commitment to provide educational opportunities to a diverse and multi-cultural community.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Independently performs various review, verification, processing, and student support activities of a routine to complex nature for assigned alphabetical student list to determine individual eligibility for Federal financial assistance:
   
   
   • Follows and explains Federal and State financial assistance rules and regulations, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance regulations, Financial Aid Office policies and processes, as well as established College policies and procedures, to students and parents;
   • Provides counseling, assistance, and support to students and parents through in-person interviews, written communication, and via telephone conversations to ensure that students have the information they need to successfully progress through the financial assistance application process up to the determination and granting of financial awards;
   • Reviews student financial aid applications and assesses eligibility for financial assistance. Performs required verification of student information and pertinent financial data as required for selected Federal audits. Identifies and processes necessary data corrections for further review by Federal agencies; upon approval, determines student award based on Federal coding system and financial aid index chart, posts award in the financial assistance component of the Student Information System (SIS), and generates notification letter to student;
   • Properly utilizes the financial assistance component of the Student Information System (SIS) and accesses the Federal and State financial assistance website; e.g., Electronic Data Exchange, to input data and data corrections online to ensure the completeness, accuracy, and currency of financial assistance data and related student information. Prepares and generates various system reports;
   • Assists in the implementation of process improvement systems specifically related to student financial assistance operations, services, and administrative activities to contribute to the identification and quick resolution of problems, enhancement of existing procedures and equipment, implementation of special policies, etc.;
2. Supports a student-friendly environment in addressing student financial assistance issues. Promptly identifies and resolves student problems, provides advice and guidance, etc.
   
   In addition to performing the assigned review, processing, and award determination for the awarding of Federal financial assistance for assigned students, also coordinates and performs similar review and award determination activities for one of the following specific financial aid or administrative programs, as determined by the Dean, Financial Aid:
   
   
   • State-funded financial assistance programs to review and determine eligibility for State financial assistance in addition to or in lieu of Federal assistance;
   • Subsidized and unsubsidized student loan programs in the event students are determined to be ineligible for Federal and/or State financial assistance; e.g., PELL grants, Stafford loans, etc.;
   • Class withdrawals to review, recalculate, and process prorated refunds for students originally granted financial assistance.
3. Serves in a lead capacity to other Financial Aid Office Aides and Assistants; provides work direction, guidance, and training as necessary. May also provide back-up support to the Associate Director, as necessary.
4. Interacts regularly with Admissions, Counseling and Advisement, Bursar Office, and various Academic Affairs Departments staff to facilitate the student financial assistance and award determination process.
5. Continues to develop professional skills through independent research, networking, attending seminars and workshops, etc., to maintain awareness of current and changing trends in education and specific to student financial assistance. Remains knowledgeable of regulatory issues specific to student financial assistance and related administrative activities.
6. Projects a positive self-image of professionalism, appearance, confidentiality, courtesy, conduct, honesty, fairness, and personal integrity at all times.
7. Performs other student financial assistance activities, as required. Actively participates in special projects, as required: "Remains flexible and adaptable in work schedules and work assignments as defined by College and departmental needs.

Education and Experience

Minimum of a Bachelor degree in Accounting/Finance, Business, or a related field with a minimum of three years of related work experience required.

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of student financial assistance review, processing, and award determination activities required. Knowledge of current and changing Federal and State rules and regulations regarding financial assistance required. Knowledge of accounting practices and familiarity with tax returns helpful. Effective verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal, and customer service skills required to effectively collaborate with prospective, new and existing students, faculty, advisors, counselors, and all levels of employees and management. Effective organization and time management skills required with a keen attention to detail. Computer proficiency and knowledge of automated financial assistance and student information systems also required.

Applications

For full consideration please send a resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references to Via email smendoza@hccc.edu.

As a New Jersey First Act Employer, new employees must establish a primary residence in New Jersey within one year unless an exemption applies.

HCCC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment. Decisions on employment are made on the basis of the qualifications of an individual for the particular position being filled. Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.