Associate Director of Financial Aid

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director is a financial aid professional with a primary responsibility for counseling students and parents about financial aid and educational financing options.

Job responsibilities/functions:

• Monitor, evaluate and recommend improvements to mechanisms for the delivery of financial aid to qualified student applicants
• Meet with the Executive Director and Dean of Admission to recommend and participate in the development and implementation of Data Entry and Departmental policy and procedures.
• Coordinate financial aid processing operations (utilizing, critiquing and enhancing computer, paper, and customer service processes) and integration of aid groups
• Analyze student eligibility for financial aid; review, approve loans, monitor and adjust aid awards as necessary
• Administer multiple student assistance programs (federal, private and institutional)
• Assist the Executive Director in resolving student appeals pertaining to aid eligibility and status
• Collect and analyze data; prepare financial aid reports and applications for external scholarships

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Keep abreast of developments in the field of student financial aid by reviewing current literature and bulletins, attending workshops and training sessions

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Current federal, state and University regulations involving financial aid benefits
• University accounting/budget system
• Principles, practices, methodology, and procedures for the provision of student financial aid
• A broad range of relevant multi-user computer systems; SCT Banner, EdConnect, EdExpress, Openet applications, and /or equipment
• Financial/business analysis techniques
• Staff hiring procedures
• Current and developing information services capacity requirements to support operational needs and directions
• Financial aid delivery mechanisms and new developments therein
• Financial aid programs and processing operations
• Federal and private student assistance programs
• Rules and regulations governing student aid awards and procedures for manipulation
• Conflict resolution practices, policies, and procedures
• Data collection, analysis, and application
• Technical form preparation and interpretation
• Program development, implementation, and assessment
• Off-campus student financial aid regulations and awards
• Marketing and publications processes and procedures

Skills and Abilities to:

• Perform under pressures associated with reporting deadlines
• Supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct student financial aid programs and initiatives
• Budget preparation and fiscal management
• Identify and secure alternative funding/revenue sources
• Foster a cooperative work environment
• Employee development and performance management
• Use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources
• Relate to the community and effectively develop interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate and work effectively with a diverse community
• Examine and reengineer operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
• Use a variety of computer formats and related software
• Manage time
• Manage budgets
• Resolve customer complaints and concerns
• Research, write technically and evaluate statistics
• Effectively resolve conflicts and problems
• Travel and represent Fisk University at conferences and training events

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree required, Master's Degree preferred.

Experience: 3-5 years of progressive prior financial aid experience is required, prior education loan management and/or default prevention experience is preferred.

Licenses or Certificates: None required