Director - Financial Aid

JOB SUMMARY
The director of financial aid, responsible to the dean of student affairs and enrollment management, coordinates, and awards Title IV federal student aid funds and various other forms of financial assistance to the student population of Carolinas College of Health Sciences. The director also serves as the Title IV compliance officer and VA certifying official.

The office of financial aid has a significant impact on the image, recruitment and retention imperatives of the college. As the leader of the office of financial aid, the director provides high-level leadership for a core function of the enrollment management area and contributes to an improved student experience through continual improvement efforts within the area of financial aid, and collaborative efforts across the department and the campus.

The director of financial aid must possess an in-depth knowledge of higher education and an extensive understanding of the importance of the role financial aid plays in enrollment management. The director should be an expert on state and federal Title IV federal financial aid programs, policies, and issues, and ensure the college’s compliance with all student financial aid programs funded by federal, state, local and private funds to ensure that eligible and qualified students receive qualifying financial support.

Duties include managerial responsibility for the entire process of awarding student aid funds from the application stage through the eventual withdrawal or graduation of each student enrolled in the college. The director prepares student budgets, conducts needs analyses, monitors file compliance, awards funds, reconciles disbursements and monitors federal fund account balances. The director is also responsible for ensuring the college complies with federal policy, regulations and accreditation standards.

Minimum Required Qualifications:
•Ability to work cooperatively with people in a diplomatic manner.
•Excellent written and organizational skills.
•Detail-oriented skills.
•Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college required.
• Experience administering in compliance with and a comprehensive knowledge of Title IV aid programs, regulations and policies.
• At least five to seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible professional experience that includes administrative experience in student financial aid.
• At least four (4) years of supervisory and management experience in the financial aid area.
•Previous experience using technology to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial aid process, especially performing financial aid management and packaging applications.
•Experience working with financial aid forecasting and budgeting processes, packaging, compliance and fiscal accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality customer service and ability to work in diverse environments and with diverse populations of students.
•Strong computer skills - Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Desired Qualifications:
•Previous experience performing all functions of a financial aid office.
•A master's degree from an accredited university or college.
•Ten (10) years of experience administering federal, state and institutional financial aid.
•Previous experience using Jenzabar, SONIS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Promotes Carolina College’s core values and standards of excellence through respectful communication, maintenance of a safe and professional environment, synergistic partnership with those we serve and anticipation of students’, colleagues’ and customers’ needs.

•Assumes responsibility for own actions.
•Serves as a role model and/or mentor to students and teammates.
•Projects a professional image in dress, speech and behavior including demonstrating respect for others.
•Represents the department and the college in a positive manner.
•Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of job performance.
•Provides accessibility to students and teammates by maintaining office hours and communicating in a timely manner.
•Serves as a financial aid advisor to support students’ success and continued enrollment.
•Participates in college functions (e.g., teammate/departmental meetings, new student orientation, graduation) as appropriate and assigned.
•Engages in active college committee work to include advising student clubs or organizations (waived for PRN teammates and those with fewer than 30 assigned
hours per week).
•Fosters beneficial relationships and supports the greater community through service activities.
•Completes relevant training, as required (e.g., annual continuing education (ACE) modules, Title IX and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act