Director Of Financial Aid

JOB TITLE

Director of Financial Aid

DEPARTMENT

Financial Aid

SUPERVISORY

Yes

REPORTS TO

Managing Director

EEO Classification

Administrative

SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for managing daily functions of the Financial Aid Office and the administering financial aid programs consistent with the institution’s Financial Aid department policies and procedures, Federal Student Aid, State, and Veterans and Accrediting regulations for awarding student aid; apply to the management of day-to-day processing. This position must adhere to the mission, values, and ethics of the institution. This position has a dotted line reporting responsibility to the CSC Financial Aid Director and VP, Student Finance.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages and coordinates the delivery of financial aid services for the campus; recommends policies and procedures and coordinates logistics and workflow to ensure the effective delivery of services. Supervises the financial aid office staff.
• Effectively manage Financial Aid team; responsible for technical and customer focused training of the team members, to ensure compliant delivery of financial processing for prospective and enrolled students.
• Ensure that processing of all financial aid programs is in compliance with federal regulations, state, and/or Veteran Education Benefits requirements.
• Provide regular reports on the daily operations and status of the department’s processing, awarding, and appointments to the CSC Financial Aid Director.
• Maintain approved forms and ensure policies are current; make recommendations for changes to the campus support center as needed.
• Maintain consistent processing, awarding, and distribution of funds to eligible students in a timely, accurate, and equitable manner.
• Conduct regular reviews and audit of financial aid files for accuracy and compliance with standardized procedures, annual allocations, and current regulations. Ensure FERPA policy is being followed consistently.
• Meet with staff in regular one-to-one sessions; provide feedback and assist with professional development. Conduct annual performance review in conjunction with Managing Director, as needed.
• Oversees integrity for campus data entered and processed in the financial aid management database, including updating and verifying student information and assuring accuracy of data and student records.
• Maintains relevant knowledge of student financial aid regulations for processing and compliance, student reporting requirements, and industry changes.
• Ensure that all staff and department is customer focused delivering a high level of customer satisfaction; participate in all financial aid training, meetings, and events as assigned.
• Counsels students and parents regarding the availability of aid, application procedures, campus policies, Federal and State regulations, the process of needs analysis, eligibility, and necessary documentation.
• Provides assistance to external customers as needed, e.g., Veterans Education, Michigan works agencies. Serves as an authoritative resource for the campus and represents the financial aid office in campus management team and committee meetings.
• Work closely with admission and education teams to ensure customer focused and efficient processing for prospective, enrolling, and current students.
• All other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE – SKILLS – ABILITIES:

• Must possess excellent customer service, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be a team player, possess a strong work ethic, and be able to coordinate multiple tasks while meeting required deadlines.
• Ability to successfully lead and manage a team.
• Must be capable of working independently.
• Proficient with basic office equipment, computers, and computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must possess strong time management skills and ability to work well under pressure.
• Able to multitask, prioritize, and show extreme resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Extensive use of office equipment including personal computer, multi-line phone system, copier, printer, and facsimile.
• Ability to communicate effectively with varied management levels, within the organization.
• Willingness to work hours in excess of a typical work week when necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• College degree in appropriate field preferred.
• Four to five years progressively responsible financial aid experience, including working knowledge in using a Financial Aid Management system for electronic processing.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of financial aid regulations and related laws, and ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Must be student-focused individual with a passion for education.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

•     The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit for extended periods of time; and have sufficient hand, arm and finger dexterity to operate a phone, computer keyboard and other office equipment.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned by their manager, in order to meet business demands. This is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise and employment with Dorsey College is “at-will”