Director of Financial Aid

Department: Student Financial Services

Position Title: Director of Financial Aid

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment


Summary

The Director of Financial Aid (DFA) will oversee and supervise all functions of the Office of Student Financial Services, including the management of department staff. Student Financial Services represents the College to all prospective and currently enrolled students with regards to institutional, Federal, State and other financial assistance. Student Financial Services also supports the Business Office efforts directed at student account management. The DFA is responsible for the education and counseling of students and their families in managing finances during periods of enrollment through graduation. The DFA supervises financial aid officers responsible for the awarding and delivery of all financial aid to students and prospective students, and operating an office compliant with Federal Title IV, state, and NCAA Division II regulations and will conduct themselves under the NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles.

Essential Functions

• Serve as the Title IV Compliance officer for graduate and undergraduate programs; review legislation, code, policies and procedures related to financial aid and assure institution's policies and procedures are in agreement with federal and state regulations. Acquire approvals and disbursements for Title IV processing of Federal Student Aid funding, verification of selected applicants, standards of academic progress, student appeals for professional judgment and independent status. Control user administration for all federal agencies/services, vendors and third-party servicers whom provide data management and financial aid delivery systems.
• Reconcile student accounts and financial aid allocations, with oversight of transactional records and budget requirements coordinating with the Business Office on regular accounting activities such as federal and state draws and receipts. Conduct internal audits and coordinate external audits on fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate customer service initiatives to positively affect student satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates and collaborate with the VPME on campus-wide initiatives. Develop and initiate communication plans with timely calls to actions to positively impact accounts receivable and the timely distribution of aid offers to students, and facilitate student service for advisement of financial aid resources, fiscal responsibility, and financial literacy.
• Develop, coordinate, and supervise the counseling of prospective students and recruitment programs for economically or educationally disadvantaged students, first generation, and diverse student populations.
• Manage endowed scholarship stewardship process including donor funding management and scholarship assignment for Missouri Colleges Fund and with the Office of Advancement and oversee the management of outside and designated scholarship programs and as/when funds are received.
• Provide guidance to the Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment and Cabinet on financial aid leveraging and scholarship program strategies for enrollment management and revenue budget projections.

• Hire staff and establish performance expectations. Evaluate performance of staff regularly to ensure compliance and service level goals are achieved. Ensure existing and new staff are properly trained and engage in continual professional development to successfully perform their responsibilities specific to duties where financial aid and business compliances intersect.
• In conjunction with staff in Information Technology Services, upgrade, implement, and maintain effective software for financial aid and financial business management where and when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships.
• Strong analytic ability, creativity, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in Apple operating systems, PC and mainframe environments.
• Extensive experience in Microsoft Office Suite required. Experience in developing enrollment and/or financial reports preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience and five years of financial aid experience in higher education required. Master's degree and five years of financial aid supervisory experience preferred.
• A valid driver's license, must provide own transportation, and have the ability to travel when appropriate.

Working Conditions

• Normal working/office hours required.
• Occasional night and/or weekend work will be required during peak recruitment and processing season.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected. This position not eligible for regular telecommuting/work from home.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.