GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Plan, organize and supervise the Financial Aid Department to administer federal, state and institutional financial aid funds and services; Performs standard financial aid duties such as needs analysis, verification, loan processing and satisfactory academic progress monitoring.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·         Manages and supervises all financial aid processes for awarding student loans, grants and scholarship packages

·         Develops and monitors the Financial Aid Office budget, including personnel needs and departmental operating expenses

·         Develops student cost of attendance (individual student budgets) including tuition, books, fees, etc.

·         Reconciles student receivable accounts

·         Interprets and applies federal laws and regulations, college policies and regulations and state regulations related to the delivery of student financial assistance

·         Oversees all administrative functions of the Financial Aid Office by supervising, providing ongoing professional development opportunities and evaluating the performance of all department personnel

·         Calculates refunds and repayments for student who withdraw from school

·         Ensures that college has exception-free Financial Aid audits and program reviews by keeping abreast of and implementing all federal and state laws and regulations that pertain to the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office

·         Maintains college’s financial aid data to assure timely and accurate submission of required federal, state and local reports

·         Develops and directs financial aid strategies within the framework of federal and state regulations that are consistent with the enrollment management objectives of the college and by administering financial aid, scholarships and other programs that support student recruitment and retention

·         Contributes to student satisfaction through delivery of quality customer service in all aspects of the administration of financial aid

·         Ensures that students are informed about their eligibility for financial aid by developing and directing a system for collecting and evaluating applications and for the timely and effective awarding of all types of financial aid

·         Maintains confidentiality of information exposes to in the course of business regarding students and other employees

·         Leads staff meetings, share information as appropriate, promote the development of ideas for improved service and efficiency and encourage teamwork

·         Oversee Title IV refunds and repayments, including U.S. Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications

·         Develop, modify, implement and maintain the application intake and tracking process for proper documentation of all awards for audit trail

·         Maintain fund control records in accordance with funding level limitations

·         Develop and conduct financial aid presentations and participate in outreach activities

·         Develop, design, revise and update all publications relating to financial aid, such as financial aid applications, forms used for tracking applications, correspondence forms and brochures

·         Integrate efforts to maximize Financial Aid’s role in recruiting and retention

·         Counsel and advise students regarding financial needs and problems and recommend financial aid opportunities

EDUCATION: 

·         Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field required; Master’s Degree preferred

·         Master’s Degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience

EXPERIENCE: 

·         Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional level administrative experience in a financial aid setting

·         Previous supervisory experience required

·         Experience with needs analysis, counseling and packaging aid

KNOWLEDGE: 

·         Broad knowledge of federal financial aid programs and recordkeeping requirements

·         Knowledge of higher education processes, supervisory and personnel practices

·         General knowledge of accounting practices, data processing and computer applications

·         Federal, local and state programs that provide financial assistance to students

·         Principles and practices of supervision, training and evaluation

·         Principles of individual appraisal, including interviewing and advisement techniques

·         Pertinent laws, rules and regulations such as Federal Title IV regulations

·         Various software programs and data systems as they relate to financial aid

·         Budget preparation and administration

SKILLS:

·         Planning and organizational skills

·         Effective oral and written communication skills

·         Interpersonal skills including tact, patience and courtesy

·         Demonstrate analytical, organizational and supervisory skills

ABILITIES:

·         Organize, coordinate and supervise the day-to-day operations and activities of the Financial Aid Office

·         Ensure timely and efficient delivery of student financial assistance to qualified applicants

·         Work with students of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds

·         Demonstrate proficiency in the management of financial aid needs analysis, packaging and required revisions

·         Interpret federal and state financial aid regulations and determine appropriate course of action

·         Monitor and award federal and state financial aid programs

·         Gather, compile and analyze data and prepare reports

·         Able to work independently and meet deadlines

·         Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and administration

·         Mentor, train, develop, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

·         Perform consistently under the pressure of deadlines and other administrative demands

·         Work cooperatively with others