Assistant Director of Financial Aid

SUMMARYrnThe Assistant Director of Financial Aid reports to the Associate Vice President for Financial Aid & Student Records and fulfills a variety of administrative and professional activities designed to serve our student body and meet the strategic enrollment goals of the college.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, counseling students and families, data entry and analytics, researching regulations, reconciling fund balances, evaluating processes and procedures, sending and receiving electronic files and supervising student workers.

Candidates for this position will be evaluated on their demonstrated capacity to think critically, exercise good judgment and work independently.rnESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESrn Financial Aid Counseling & Communicationrn rnrnPrimary lead role responsible for all financial aid communications to prospective and current students, including documents and communication creation, annual editing, and scheduling of all communications.rnrnrnWorks with new and continuing students and their parents regarding the application for and renewal of financial aid as it pertains to accessing enrollment and satisfying their student account balancesrnrnrnParticipates in monitoring financial aid email account and addresses communications accordinglyrnrnrnReviews and packages new and continuing students recognizing the difference between consistent administrative functions and unique professional judgment that may be needed case by casernrnrnReviews and updates financial aid forms and web presencernrn rnFinancial Aid AdministrationrnrnResponsible for Pell Grant Administration, including origination, updates, and reconciliationrnAssists in data integration processes, trouble-shooting and process improvementrnCollects documentation from students and parents to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines rnReviews and processes Federal Direct Loan Programs on behalf of eligible students and/or eligible parentsrnSubmits, receives and reconciles electronic records in administration of federal financial aid programs exercising accuracy and time management skillsrnMonitors annual Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students and reviews and processes appeals and communicationsrnWork with a variety of alternative loan programs and third-party scholarship agencies to secure funding for studentsrnAssists with Admission events designed to recruit and yield prospective studentsrnCollaborates with appropriate personnel in other college departments including, but not limited to, Academic Advising, Bursar, Registrar and One Stop to carry out financial aid processes and properly advise studentsrnSupports and assists the AVP for Financial Aid, and provides back-up for annual audit preparation, streamline processes, CRM system set-up and preparation for new award cycle and required institutional reporting (FISAP, Census, IPEDS, etc.)Researches financial aid regulations to ensure compliance and maintain institutional eligibilityrnAssist AVP for Financial Aid in training and mentoring Admission Counselors, Student Services Associate and Financial Aid Counselor, as needed.rnSupervise student employee projects as needed.rnAccepts that occasional evening and weekend hours may be requiredrnPerforms other duties as assignedrnrnQUALIFICATIONS rnrnExcellent written and verbal communication and customer service skillsrnrnrnrnEvidence of strong organizational abilities, time management and attention to detailrnHigh level of logic and superb critical thinking skillsrnSeasoned sense of judgment with ability to make professional judgment decisions rnAbility to work often with increased levels of autonomy and independencernAbility to maintain patience, empathy and understanding while explaining complex processesrnDisplay a pleasant and outgoing personality and appreciate the importance of student data securityrnrnrn rnrnRemains committed to increasing knowledge and strengthening skills by participating in various trainings, seminars and professional development opportunities on and off campusrnrn rnEDUCATION and EXPERIENCErnrnrnBachelor's degree requiredrnMinimum of 1-2 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid requiredrnAssociate degree plus a minimum of 3-5 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid may be consideredrnProficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and Google Suite rnrnrn rnrnProficiency in PowerFAIDS and PowerCampus preferred but not requiredrnrn rnPHYSICAL DEMANDSrnrnThe employee is regularly required to walk and talk and hear.

rnThe employee frequently is required to sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

rnThe employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

rnSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, ability to differentiate colors, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.rnrnWORK ENVIRONMENTrnrnThe employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

rnThe noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Full Time