Director of Financial Aid

SUMMARY

Plan, oversee, organize and direct OCOM’s Office of Financial Aid programs and activities; ensure that assigned financial aid functions fulfill institutional goals and objectives; and supervise assigned staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the OCOM Office of Financial Aid
• Support the OCOM-approved financial aid policies and ensure that they are adhered to throughout the financial aid process
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, university, college, and other outside agency rules and regulations
• Ensure confidentiality of student records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Oversight of financial aid budget
• Direct and complete various duties including but not limited to; processing, awarding, and tracking of student financial aid award packages, coordinating benefits and resources, building of cost of attendance budgets, review and approve a wide range of appeals for scholarship and financial aid exceptions, verifies applicant data, assist with processing of return of loan funds, and apply knowledge of changing regulations
• Collaborate with the Bursar for functions including but not limited to: annual development of tuition and fee structures, student billing, student refunds, tuition and fees assignment, emergency loans, and third party billing
• Collaborate with the CFO in contracting and then maintaining private and Title IV lenders to reasonably provide borrowing opportunity for OCOM students
• Prepare and conduct financial aid presentations for current and prospective students within the OCOM Debt Management Program, at admissions and recruitment events, pipeline programs, and undergraduate pre-medical interest groups
• Oversee the awarding of scholarships annually; monitor the availability of funds and ensure the adequate spending and reconciliation of the scholarship funds
• Counsel students on financial aid processing, awarding, scholarships and debt management
• Collaborate in supporting the Title IV application for the OCOM
• Update and maintain the Office of Financial Aid website, media, and student communications (emails, texts, correspondence) annually
• Implements the communication and counseling model for providing financial aid resources to OCOM alumni; Analyzes and reports on alumni loan repayment data
• Serve at the representative of the OCOM on the AACOM Financial Aid group
• Collect, organize, and analyze financial aid data and produce reports requested by external accrediting bodies and governing boards
• Submit an annual Financial Aid Report to the Dean of Student Services
• Assist in accreditation functions to include document creation, data collection, data entry, education of staff on accreditation, and other accreditation-related functions
• Support the financial aid coordinator with coaching, guiding and mentoring; provides professional development opportunities for staff
• Perform other related duties, as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviewing, hiring, and training employee(s); planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems
• Directly supervises: Financial Aid Coordinator

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master degree and a minimum of 5 years (or Bachelor and 10 years) of full-time experience in the administration of a financial aid office
• Previous experience in Osteopathic or Allopathic Medical College fInancial aid is preferred
• A team player who values cooperation, mutual support and team cohesion

KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Leadership abilities
• Strong team management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills in order to work well with faculty, staff, students, administration, and the public
• Maintain confidentiality and attention to detail are essential
• Respond calmly and appropriately in emotional situations
• Listen and communicate in a positive manner
• Collaborate and interact with healthcare professionals
• Organize, direct, and prioritize work appropriately
• Exercise independent judgments in complex and new situations
• Manage multiple, concurrent projects, and still meet strict deadlines
• Manage time well and work under stressful conditions
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Relate well with a diverse student population and other constituencies.
• Ability to work independently as well as function effectively in a team and within a diverse group of people
• Demonstrate tact, courtesy, and discretion in