Director of Financial Aid

Starting Date: ASAP

Application Deadline: Open until filled. First application review February 6th, 2011

Responsible to: Vice President for Administrative Services and Student Development

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Director manages all the federal student aid including, grant, loan and work-study programs, State grant, institutional scholarships and merit awards, donor supported scholarships and loans, and Veteran’s education programs. The Director provides strategic leadership in analyzing, designing and implementing manual, computer and web applications to reflect best practices, compliance with pertinent regulations and quality services to students. This includes the supervision of staff, the management of the office operations and the management of automated and online systems while assuring compliance with all rules and regulations to achieve quality assurance monitoring and required reporting while working in coordination with other institutional departments, government offices, outside agencies, schools, colleges, parents of students and students. The Director develops and maintains a motivational environment through team building and coaching to provide quality student services in the stewardship and delivery of student aid funds.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Supervises the daily office operations of the Financial Aid Office, including hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff, overseeing projects, assisting students, and ensuring consistent implementation of financial aid policies and procedures.

Analyzes and interprets all federal and state legislation and regulations which affect the college or departments and develops and implements policies and procedures for financial aid and veterans’ services that supports institutional statutory and regulatory requirements.

Creates and manages automated and manual processes to ensure data integrity and that students receive equitable, appropriate and timely awards and funds.

Develops and maintains record keeping systems for student records, essential reference materials, required eligibility certifications and training resources to comply with federal and State record maintenance regulations.

Secures the necessary resources for staff to perform their job requirements, to meet the institutional administrative capacity requirements for participation in the Federal

Student Aid programs, and to comply with all relevant Federal and State laws and regulations.

Manages the Financial Aid portion of all audits including yearly independent audits, Federal program reviews, State and Agency audits, and Inspector General Audits.

Develops responses to audit comments and ensures full resolution of all exceptions and comments.

Provides timely information and advice to students, parents and community organizations and high schools regarding financial aid opportunities.

Serves as Destination Point Administrator for the federal electronic and online systems.

Develops and manages the departmental budget and collects data to establish institutional student budgets annually.

Develops monitors and evaluates financial aid and scholarship awarding policies and procedures that are consistent with federal, State and institutional regulations and guidelines while supporting institutional goals, and objectives while maximizing the use of available funds for students.

Manages, monitors and reconciles revenues and expenditures for all Federal, State, institutional and external scholarships.

Performs all calculations and notifications to comply with the Title IV Refund and Repayment regulations.

Serves as a liaison between the Financial Aid Office and other campus departments, federal and State agencies and local schools and agencies.

Evaluates and revises financial aid packaging policies annually to determine appropriate allocation of funds to specific categories of students.

Composes and edits written materials for the college catalog, informational pamphlets, forms, policies, procedures, reports and website information.

Conducts meetings to inform office staff, the Financial Aid Advisory Committee, other institutional offices, students and the community regarding programs, policies, procedures and essential deadlines.

Evaluates short term loan applications for approval or disapproval.

Reviews student satisfactory academic progress appeals, gathers pertinent data, makes decisions for appeals and notifies students of decisions with personalized letters to promote student success.

Performs quality assurance monitoring to improve accuracy and guide effective packaging policies and procedures.

Updates the Institutional Program Participation Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure eligibility for Title IV funds.

Represents UCC at conferences and meetings regarding local, State, federal, and professional issues.

Collaborates on strategic and operational planning aimed at delivering outstanding student services.

Administers all existing consortium agreements with other colleges and universities and implements new agreements, including dual enrollment agreements, as assigned.

Prepares data and/or supervises the preparation and submission of required reports pertinent to student aid funds and institutional eligibility for student aid funds including FISAP.

Serves on committees as needed to assist in overall college administration.
Other Functions:

Participates in professional organizations at the State, regional and national levels to promote and advocate for enhanced opportunities for Community College students through legislative, regulatory, and system development processes

Provides assistance to the UCC Foundation Director regarding scholarships.

Other reasonably related duties as assigned
Directly supervises (job titles): Financial Aid Coordinator, Financial Aid Specialists, Financial Aid Assistants, and Federal-Work Study
Job Environment: Primarily indoor office working environment. Current office design may require employee to bend, lift, stoop, crouch and perform similar functions while performing essential and other job functions. Is required to be able to perform these movements without a significant risk of injury, with or without accommodations, or to otherwise demonstrate or explain how performance of these functions is possible.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required. Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:

Minimum of five years of recent experience in student services, which includes at least three years of progressively responsible management experience in the administering of student aid programs, is required.
Specific Skills:

Comprehensive understanding of regulations and guidelines pertinent to student aid administration.

Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the responsibilities and to comply with the Solomon Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and responsibilities with firm deadlines while performing in a stressful environment with multiple interruptions.

Recent and proven experience with the U.S. Department of Education automated delivery system and current computer-based financial aid management systems.

Proficiency with technology to encompass understanding the implications of database management as it pertains to enrollment management.

Strong interpersonal skills as evidenced by successful experience in working cooperatively and effectively with the public, students, parents, faculty, and support staff, the campus community, the community at large and governmental agencies.

Proven ability to effectively supervise staff within an environment that requires accuracy, quality interpersonal performance and production.

Demonstrated commitment to student success and quality service delivery.

SALARY: $57,043 - $82,143 per year, Full-Time, 2011-12 Administrative Salary Schedule, Level 3.

FRINGE BENEFITS: Family health, dental, vision insurance, employee term life, and disability insurance provided at a minimal employee contribution. Participation in PERS after 6 months, with a 6% employee contribution.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit completed application packet, transcripts and up to 3 letters of reference (optional) with any other supporting documents you would like to include.

CONTACT: Tina Richardson, Human Resources Assistant, (541) 440-4626 voice or TDD. UCC Personnel will provide, upon request, reasonable accommodation during the application process for individuals with disabilities. AA/EEO. Please Note: No submitted materials will be returned and/or duplicated. To apply, send the completed UCC application (available below), references, and copies of transcripts from an accredited college/university.

 

UCC Employment Application