Under general direction of the Vice President of Student Services/ Chief Student Services Officer, responsible for administering all federal, state, and institutional programs of student financial aid and scholarships and manages the operational and customer service functions of the Office of Financial Aid. Provides department leadership by fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, innovation, and continuous improvement; actively participates in and supports participatory governance and other collaborative processes; encourages professional excellence among the staff and promotes an organizational culture of customer service, innovation, and quality services.

(The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in this job title; however, employees may perform other related duties, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee in this job title.)

• Develops and manages the overall delivery of financial aid services; provides information and serves as a resource to others on financial aid matters; achieves defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing, and maintaining services in compliance with established state and federal guidelines; and serves as an integral member of the Student Services leadership team
• Collaborates with a variety of internal and external groups (e.g. Student Services Staff, administration, students, auditors, educational institutions, regulatory agencies, etc.) for the purpose of implementing financial aid and related program components; creating long and short term plans; and addressing organizational objectives
• Responsible for the hiring, training, management, and supervision of the Office of Financial Aid, evaluates staff annually
• Ensures that all FERPA regulations are adhered to
• Develops and reviews financial aid policies, practices, and procedures in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, legislation, and the institutional mission and ensures the college is in compliance
• Reconciles federal, state, and institutional financial aid fund expenditures
• Serves as the Data Custodian for the Financial Aid Module of Banner Integrated Software, administers and manages critical functions including testing patches and upgrades, new year set-up, reviews documentation, and coordinates with the MIS Coordinator to assure accurate data
• Plans and coordinates the calculation of Student Academic Progress, leads the committee for appeals, and ensures that students are notified of the status
• Completes all federal and state reports on time including but not limited to Program Participation Agreements, FISAP, IPEDS, and grant and scholarship reports
• Prepares budget requests and recommendations and monitors budgets, including student employment program budgets
• Provides statistical reports and analytical data on financial aid
• Responsible for providing documentation for the annual financial aid federal and state audits
• Coordinates training of all financial aid staff and other campus employees as needed on institutional, state, and federal policies and procedures
• Advises new and continuing students on financial aid matters and eligibility
• Assists in the development of recruitment materials and participates in recruitment activities
• Conducts activities supporting student retention
• Participates in professional growth and remains current in the subject area
• May supervise student employees
• Other related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Application and capabilities of an integrated student information system used in Financial Aid
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment
• Systems and methods for data and information recordkeeping and filing

Skill in:

• Evaluating and implementing procedures, standards, and methods for operations of the office
• Preparing effective reports and correspondence
• Establishing and directing effective systems for data and file maintenance
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• Reading, interpreting, and applying regulations, policies, procedures and  related to Financial Aid
• Exercising sound independent judgment within policy guidelines
• Ability to identify problems and demonstrate creativity and flexibility in resolving them collaboratively within all segments of the college community
• Database management
• Interpersonal communications skills and public speaking

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: (The physical abilities involved in the performance of essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations are:)

• Frequent standing, sitting, reaching, walking, lifting (overhead, waist level from floor), carrying, bending
• frequent near vision use for reading
• constant use of voice (somewhat above normal conversation level)
• frequent hearing use (ordinary conversation level)
• evaluative and cognitive thinking and decision making

This work is performed in office, and classroom, and occasional night and weekend duties.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field including Education
  OR
• At least three (3) years of experience in financial aid and at least one (1) year of management/supervisory or other related leadership experience OR
• At least four (4) years of experience in a reasonably related position such as another area within Student Services or a business office
  OR
• A Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years of experience in a reasonably related position such as another area within Student Services or a business office
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic and socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff

• Master’s degree in business, finance, or accounting or related field
• Community college financial aid experience