DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

SUMMARY

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the overall supervision and management of the Student Financial Aid Office to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as meet the needs of the students and the East Central University administration. Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Development, the Director is responsible for providing overall leadership in establishing the philosophy and implementation of financial aid policies, procedures and programs. The Director is responsible for the completion of all applications for funds, management of program funds, knowledge and interpretation of rules and regulations governing student aid programs and completion of state and federal fiscal reports. The Director represents the Student Financial Aid Office to other University offices and outside agencies. The Director of Financial Aid should always represent the university in an appropriate and professional manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Implement and improve student-centered service programs.
  • Maintain an up-to-date understanding of state, federal and institutional regulations and assure compliance to same.
  • Oversee the coordination and completion of reports for federal and state agencies, annual audits and/or program reviews.
  • Oversee the coordination of state grants, and the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OLAP)
  • Coordinate the completion of all applications for funding.
  • Coordinate the completion of all reports and surveys, i.e. OTAG, OCR, Newsweek and Peterson's Guide.
  • Hire, train, supervise and evaluate student financial service professional and support staff.
  • Direct all fiscal activities of the department. Institute departmental expenditure priorities within allocated budgets. Maintain and report on the departmental operation budget.
  • Coordinate departmental student recruitment and retention efforts, working in concert with the Dean of Students and Enrollment Management, through strategies developed by and services offered by financial aid.
  • Work with all facets of the financial aid department including, but not limited to: student award packaging, compliance, certification, default management, loan processing, document tracking, and file maintenance.
  • Counsel with students and their families (as appropriate) concerning financial assistance and appropriate steps to be followed in obtaining program funds.
  • Work in collaboration with all campus departments, especially the Bursar's Office, Admissions, Recruiting, First Year Programs and Services, Transfer Enrollment, and Office of the Registrar to provide quality service to students.
  • Serve as liaison on financial aid policy matters to University offices, especially the Bursar's Office, Admissions and Office of the Registrar.
  • Provide leadership to promote and maintain integrity, accuracy, and timeliness in the delivery of financial aid to students.
  • Conduct informational and community service workshops both on and off campus, involving prospective students and their parents, current students, other university departments and the staff of Student Financial Aid.
  • Serve on the University's Scholarship Committee assisting in the maintenance of and reporting on scholarship budgets; and work with the Committee in development of awarding requirements, renewal criteria, selection, etc.
  • Establish and implement short and long term goals for the use of technology in operation of the various financial assistance processes. Work with Information Technology and Jenzabar staff to address emerging issues and to resolve immediate concerns.
  • Coordinate and maintain the development of a comprehensive Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual.
  • Oversee the coordination of campus student employment.
  • Participate in division-wide assessment activities and direct assessment and evaluation activities for the student financial aid office.
  • Actively participate in appropriate professional organizations. Attend Conferences and Trainings to stay abreast of new and changing state and federal regulations.
  • Develop training programs for department and other University staff to ensure compliance with federal and University policies and procedures. Conduct training sessions on and off campus to keep others that are involved in the financial aid process aware of new and changing state and federal regulations.
  • Advise the Vice President for Student Development regarding trends and developments in Financial Aid.
  • Monitor adherence to NCAA and Lone Star Conference rules as they relate to the awarding of student financial aid.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to:

  • Efficiently operate a personal computer and associated software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and Jenzabar
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately;
  • Maintain confidentiality of records and information;
  • Interact in an effective and appropriate manner with diverse populations, the University community and the public;
  • Detect and correct grammatical and spelling errors in written correspondence;
  • Maintain files accurately, in paper and in software programs;
  • Handle multiple tasks simultaneously; effectively supervise personnel and complete all associated personnel actions in a timely and accurate manner;
  • Effectively manage the overall operation of the Student Financial Aid Office;
  • Set priorities and deadlines, ensure projects are completed and respond to questions/problems in a timely manner;
  • Organize resources, especially staff, to meet program goals; implement and improve customer service programs for students;
  • Successfully mediate solutions to parties in conflict;
  • Effectively counsel students and their families (as appropriate);
  • Effectively prepare financial progress reports, budget reports and other documents; and effectively supervise the packaging of financial aid awards.
  • Must have: strong interpersonal, planning and organization skills;
  • Knowledge of and experience with innovative uses of technology for financial aid program; experience in integrating financial aid programs with a full range of student services;
  • A commitment to value and programs of diversity and multiculturalism;
  • A sound understanding of customer service and an advanced knowledge of the financial aid process; and the capability of interpreting federal, state and university regulations governing federal financial aid programs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Qualifications:  Master's degree preferred, bachelor's required.  All candidates will be considered with preference given to candidates that have a minimum of three years progressive experience administering federal and state financial aid programs of a size and complexity similar to East Central University.  Candidates should have supervisory experience.  Application review will begin August 2, 2010.

Salary: $45,000 - $55,000 plus fringe benefits.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume including names and phone numbers of three professional references, and copies of transcripts to: Ms. Leslie Martin, Human Resources Director, East Central University, Ada, OK 74820.

AA/EOE