Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services

Department

Financial Aid

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will report directly to the Director of Financial Aid Operations within the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFAS). This critical role focuses on enhancing student services and fostering student success by independently managing and developing processes and initiatives to address student financial aid eligibility criteria and related concerns. This role is an essential component of the OFAS management team, responsible for reviewing, developing, recommending, implementing, and monitoring operating policies and procedures within OFAS. Close coordination with OFAS directors, Call Center staff, and campus partners to design and implement strategies that remove barriers to accessing financial aid is a key component of this role. This position requires a deep understanding of financial aid regulations, and a proactive approach to staying current with federal and state regulatory updates to ensure the most effective student experience. The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will oversee the training, mentoring, and development of a team of financial aid counselors, ensuring they are well-prepared to provide student-focused service that supports student success. Additionally, the Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will be responsible for preparing various fiscal and statistical reports for federal, state, institutional, and external agencies.

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Duties/Responsibilities

30% - Administrative and Supervisory

• The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will supervise a minimum of three full-time professionals. This role involves direct collaboration with regulatory resources provided by the US Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education for handling student eligibility matters within institutional policy and regulatory compliance.
• This role ensures OFAS maintains sufficient coverage at the front desk, call center chat, and walk-in financial aid advising, emphasizing a commitment to service excellence.
• The Associate Director will collaborate with the financial aid call center coordinator to ensure clear and consistent communication with prospective students, current students, and parents.
• Staying current on federal and state regulatory guidelines related to financial aid eligibility is essential. The Associate Director will work with the Director of Operations to ensure eligibility policies and procedures are up-to-date and accessible.
• This position will collaborate with OFAS leadership to develop and monitor the financial aid student services team and individual goals, including key performance indicators (KPIs), while promoting a system of accountability within the advising team and among student employees.
• The Associate Director will also support and engage in Anti-Racism efforts led by OFAS and the Enrollment Management Division.
• Additional responsibilities include working closely with Financial Aid Advisors, the Director of Operations, the Associate Director for Financial Aid Eligibility, and other financial aid leaders to proactively plan, meet deadlines, and set goals and KPIs for advisors and student employees.

30% - Provides professional financial aid advising services

The role of the Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services necessitates a comprehensive grasp of financial aid concepts, encompassing the cost of attendance, federal institutional need analysis, award packaging, types of aid offered, application processes for external scholarships, receipt of external resources, payment options, completion of loan applications, loan certification, billing, disbursement dates, aid reapplication, withdrawals, satisfactory academic progress, timelines, financial aid policies and procedures, and the obligations associated with receiving financial aid.

• The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will engage with prospective students and their families, returning students, and members of the MSU Denver community, providing guidance throughout the financial aid process, eligibility assessment, need analysis, award allocation, disbursement, adherence to federal and state institutional policies, and the rights and responsibilities tied to receiving financial aid.
• The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will address delicate financial and personal matters, necessitating independent judgment, tact, diplomacy, and safeguarding confidentiality. Adherence to FERPA and HEA data-sharing regulations is imperative to foster trust and ensure the security of students' information.
• The Associate Director of Financial Aid Student Services will play a critical ro