Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

SUMMARY

The 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Aid Counseling & Communication

Primary 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.

Works 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 balances

Participates in monitoring financial aid email account and addresses communications accordingly

Reviews and packages new and continuing students recognizing the difference between consistent administrative functions and unique professional judgment that may be needed case by case

Reviews and updates financial aid forms and web presence

Financial Aid Administration

Responsible for Pell Grant Administration, including origination, updates, and reconciliation

Assists in data integration processes, trouble-shooting and process improvement

Collects documentation from students and parents to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines

Reviews and processes Federal Direct Loan Programs on behalf of eligible students and/or eligible parents

Submits, receives and reconciles electronic records in administration of federal financial aid programs exercising accuracy and time management skills

Monitors annual Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students and reviews and processes appeals and communications

Work with a variety of alternative loan programs and third-party scholarship agencies to secure funding for students

Assists with Admission events designed to recruit and yield prospective students

Collaborates 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 students

Supports 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 eligibility

Assist AVP for Financial Aid in training and mentoring Admission Counselors, Student Services Associate and Financial Aid Counselor, as needed.

Supervise student employee projects as needed.

Accepts that occasional evening and weekend hours may be required

Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills

Evidence of strong organizational abilities, time management and attention to detail

High level of logic and superb critical thinking skills

Seasoned sense of judgment with ability to make professional judgment decisions

Ability to work often with increased levels of autonomy and independence

Ability to maintain patience, empathy and understanding while explaining complex processes

Display a pleasant and outgoing personality and appreciate the importance of student data security

Remains committed to increasing knowledge and strengthening skills by participating in various trainings, seminars and professional development opportunities on and off campus

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree required

Minimum of 1-2 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid required

Associate degree plus a minimum of 3-5 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid may be considered

Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and Google Suite

Proficiency in PowerFAIDS and PowerCampus preferred but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee is regularly required to walk and talk and hear.

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

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

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, ability to differentiate colors, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Full Time