Assistant Director of Financial Aid

ROLE: The Assistant Director of Financial Aid plays an essential role in helping students and families be able to attend St. John's College by guiding them through the financial aid process and administering all forms of financial aid. The Assistant Director is responsible for managing federal, private and institutional loan programs at the college. Alongside the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director works to make sure that the college remains in compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations. This is a great role for anyone who enjoys working directly with students and their families, but who also excels with data and regulatory compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the Director in the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Counsels students and families, handles problem situations and directs them to available resources.

• Prepares financial aid awards for undergraduate returning students and Graduate Institute students according to federal, state, and institutional methods.

• Provides information about financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements and the application process to students and parents. Guides students in completion of financial aid applications and reviews completed forms for accuracy and completeness.

• Responsible for administration of the institutional Scofield loan program. Serves as primary contact with loan servicer and educational loan collection agencies to prevent defaults by former students.

• Plays a key role in managing the college's relationship with the loan servicing company. Contacts delinquent borrowers and works with them to arrange satisfactory repayment schedules.

• Researches problems and works with relevant agencies to resolve them.

• Assists with the loan entrance and exit process for borrowers of both federal loans and institutional Scofield loans and provides information on borrower rights and responsibilities.

• Responsible for coordination of state scholarship awards including eligibility verification, payment tracking, reconciliation, record retention, and annual state audit. Attends Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) meetings and workshops as needed.

• Reconciles student loan financial aid accounts with the Finance Office.

• Assists in the administration of campus work study program by determining eligibility and communicating with other offices involved in the work study program. Works with the Finance Office on reconciliation of Federal Work Study funds.

• Processes certifications of Stafford, PLUS, and private loan eligibility using applicable electronic loan processing systems, ensures compliance with federal disbursement regulations and trouble-shoots problems that arise.

• Assists with updates to written and web-based financial aid information and facilitates the dissemination of financial aid information to students and parents.

• Assists in handling incoming phone calls, emails and reception of visitors to the office.

• Performs other job duties and projects as assigned. Anticipates related projects and proactively initiates them.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of experience in financial aid, higher education or other acceptable combination of education and experience.

• This individual must be able to understand and interpret federal regulations and institutional policy to students and parents in a clear and comprehensive manner.

• A thorough knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations preferred.

• Must possess excellent writing, analytic, computer, and problem-solving skills.

• Competent in the use of computers with ability to learn new systems, knowledge of PowerFAIDS preferable.

• Must possess exceptional attention to detail.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.