Director, Financial Aid

The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for managing and coordinating duties as necessary and proper for the administration of all federal, state, and local student financial assistance including scholarships, veterans’ education benefits and military tuition assistance. This individual is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid Office on multiple campuses and on-line educational programs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include, but not limited to:

• Provide leadership and management of the University’s student financial assistance programs including, but not limited to, financial aid processing and disbursement, financial counseling, and student employment opportunities
• Assume full responsibility in effective daily administrative and organizational functions of the office, and develops and/or recommends policies and procedures for financial aid administration, including veteran’s education benefits and military tuition assistance, while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations
• Responsible for developing, forecasting, managing, and administering the delivery of student financial aid and the financial aid budgets (departmental and cost of attendance).  
• Complete all required reports/audits accurately and timely, assist and suggest standardized policies and procedures, assure ALL audits are successful by developing quality controls
• Possess a thorough knowledge of Title IV regulations. Participate in local, regional, and national professional associations, remain up to date on regulations, rules and pending legislation.
• Ensure timeframes are met on disbursements and return of funds to DOE.
• Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; propose to management corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues.
• Conduct quarterly internal audits of student Financial Aid records, assist administration with any compliance reviews or investigations.
• Demonstrate leadership ability, great communication skills both verbally and written, a thorough knowledge of Title IV, state, VA and military tuition assistance regulations and requirements.
• Investigate and report on alternative loan options.
• Develop and oversee financial counseling to help students manage the expenses associated with their educational goals.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assure that students are serviced at the highest of standards
• Assure that all communications to students and staff are correct and timely. 
• Be familiar with the financial aid and student information systems.
• Ability to communicate technical information to individuals with diverse capabilities
• Provide leadership with the ability to influence, inspire and motivate individuals and groups to achieve results
• Demonstrate objectivity, integrity, and ethical behavior and continuously acquire new skills and knowledge
• May perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel is required up to 25% of time to the University’s campuses and appropriate conferences.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION

REPORTS TO:  Executive Director, Student Administration and Services

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:  Supervise subordinates in performing a full range of financial aid responsibilities to include as appropriate: Financial Aid System Analyst, Processor, Financial Aid Counselors and Community Service Federal Work Study students

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Ability to use strategic and critical approaches to decision-making
• Ability to detect and solve problems using good insight, judgment, and innovative, creative thinking
• Ability to identify measures that are both relevant and reliable including criteria used for special purposes and qualitatively criteria

DIMENSIONS

• Ability to successfully manage a number of different projects and conflicting deadlines and interest

TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, and PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function. Appropriate reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors required, masters preferred, at least five (5) current years’ experience working in a progressive financial aid office.
• Experience must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and skills in Federal Title IV financial aid.  
• Must have managerial experience
• Knowledge of PowerFAIDS and Jenzabar is a plus.

LICENSURE and/or CERTIFICATION

• Helpful but not required

BUSINESS COMPETENCIES

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment, may involve exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions as necessary.