Associate Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

AP Professionals has partnered exclusively with a premier higher education institution. This position will serve in a leadership capacity ensuring that financial aid is in compliance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies.  This organization is financially stable, technologically forward and employee and student focused. They offer a generous benefits package and the opportunity to advance your career.  This is one of our top clients that we are beyond excited to partner with!

• Aid Administration – Assist with the overall administration of the University’s $440 million dollar financial aid programs for 100% of the student body. Participate in the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional programs.
• Office Leadership and Management - Serve in a leadership role on the office management team. Actively participate in developing strategies that support successful enrollment, retention and persistence to graduation. Assist the Assistant Vice President with the strategic planning of operations and client services.  Implement programs and communications that maximize student’s understanding of, access to, and securing of financial aid in support of enrollment, retention and on-time graduation.  Make data-driven decisions to plan for the new aid year, review statistical data and evaluate trends.
• Staff Supervision - Provide leadership, selection, management, training and evaluation of assigned employees with knowledge in each area of supervision. This includes daily oversight, training, mentoring, and performance evaluations, establishment of goals and professional development and conflict resolution.  Assist in the mentoring and growth of human resources, knowledge and skill capital within the department.
• Campus Collaboration - Fully support the University’s Strategic Plan and the Enrollment Management division enrollment interests. Areas include targeted financial aid programs that leverage maximizing enrollment and providing access to an education there. Collaborate effectively with campus departments to actively support student recruitment and retention.  This includes: Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Admissions, Academic Advising Services, Registrar, Student Financial Services, Co-op, Student Employment, Marketing, Office of Development, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics, all Colleges, and the Controller’s Office.  Prepare and present information at workshops regarding financial aid processes for Admissions recruiting events, orientation programs, to various on-and-off campus groups.
• Aid Eligibility Determination and Need Analysis Packaging - Analyze and evaluate financial aid applications to determine financial eligibility and need. Requires the handling of sensitive, confidential, and personally identifiable information. Ability to interpret federal regulations to verify accuracy of required documents i.e. federal income tax transcripts, untaxed income sources, citizenship, and resolve mandatory federal rejects and comment codes.  The amount and type of financial assistance will be determined in special cases on an individual basis by understanding and applying a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations. In exceptional cases, exercise professional judgment to make individual adjustments to student dependency status, the cost of attendance and data elements on the FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility.
• Federal and State Regulatory Expert – Will serve as an authoritative resource with regards to the interpretation of federal and state regulations and institutional policies and procedures. Intermediate knowledge of the federal and state tax code as it relates to accurate aid application data.
• Federal Aid Administration – Oversight of the federal verification processes including but not limited to staying apprised of changing regulatory requirements, expert knowledge of federal income tax requirements, citizenship and assisting staff in resolving conflicting information.
• New Aid Year Set-up - Determine appropriate document workflow to resolve comment codes, rejects and verification on an annual basis. Review student cases as needed related to Comment Codes, Rejects and Verification to ensure information is updated, accurate and compliant.  Review updated forms annually to ensure information provided to students is accurate and compliant.
• Office Compliance Lead – Stay well-informed of the ever-changing landscape of state and federal regulations. Take the lead for the overall compliance outlook within the office of financial aid and scholarships in policy review, updating of procedures and training of staff on the changes as new regulations are announced from the Department of Education.  e. FAFSA Simplification, Verification, Citizenship, Third Party Servicer, Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency, etc.
• Special Student Group Coordinator - Award and/or adjust aid for special student groups. Award aid in compliance with all relevant federal, state, and institutional policies based on the unique enrollment statuses and tuition charges associated with these special student groups. Monitor students’ enrollments throughout the term(s) and amend aid accordingly.
• Audit Liaison – One of the OFAS point people for annual single audit conducted by third party vendor which includes the coordination of deliverables.
• Special Scholarship Administration:  Oversee awarding of special scholarships such as Tuition Exchange, National Merit, NSF grants, SAGE, Scholastic Arts and Writing, YEA, Farash First-in Family Program, and Career Pathways Scholarships.  Responsibility includes managing selection, awarding and notification of recipients, renewal of awards, and reporting, consistent with established enrollment and net tuition revenue objectives, and in support of the university strategic plan.
• Professional Development - Maintain an active role in professional development as a means for remaining current and knowledgeable about the higher education financial aid profession. Regularly review professional journals and periodicals, actively participate in professional organizations at the state, regional and national levels. Share knowledge with staff.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

• At least 3 years of experience in financial aid.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal student aid regulations.
• Strong counseling and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Knowledge and experience in student aid education systems such as Pro-Sam, On-Base, PeopleSoft, NSLDS, Scholarnet, FAA Access, COD, HESC, SLATE, Fund Driver, eServices, and Oracle highly desired.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Zoom.
• Must be highly flexible with ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
• Willingness to learn American Sign Language preferred.