Director of Financial Aid

Working Title

Director of Financial Aid

Position Number

FA097

FLSA

Exempt

Appointment Type

Full Time

Sensitive Position

No

Sensitive Position Statement

A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority

No

Campus Security Authority Statement

This position is NOT designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an “official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel

Yes

Designated Personnel Statement

This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest

No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement

This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position

No

Restricted Position Statement

A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services, the Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, administration, management, and delivery and coordination of a growing comprehensive aid program that supports the university’s recruitment, retention and completion goals. Oversight includes federal, state, and institutional student financial aid programs; and leads all efforts to include the compilation and reconciliation of documentation, applicable trainings, and various meetings associated with compliance surveys and/or federal, state, and institutional audits and federal program reviews. Maintains compliance and oversees the policies and procedures associated with all federal, state, institutional, and private scholarship and loan regulations governing student aid programs, accounting operations, and budget preparation.

Work Tasks

• Federal, State, and Institutional Compliance: Interprets and implements federal and state financial aid rules and regulations. Ensures that internal policies and procedures accurately reflect standard operating procedures and are based on federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations so as to avoid institutional fiscal liability. Updates institutional financial aid policies ensuring compliance with pertinent federal, state, and institutional rules and contractual regulations. Reviews and responds to proposed legislation related to financial aid. Employs procedures to ensure that students receiving federal, state, and institutional aid are maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. With guidance from senior leadership, the Director must collaborate with other administrative areas to maintain an optimal balance between enrollment and retention goals, tuition revenue and tuition dollars supporting financial aid. Administrative capability and compliance must be maintained for federal and state aid programs for continued institutional eligibility. Manages all resources to accomplish department goals and to represent financial aid interests throughout the university.

• Leadership: Coordinates financial aid operations in collaboration with other appropriate institutional units to include Admission; Advancement; Athletic Department; Business Office; CNU Educational Foundation; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Information Technology; Graduate Studies; Institutional Research; Registrar; Student Accounts; and Student Affairs to provide seamless and responsive service to constituents and to support recruitment enrollment retention, and completion goals. Participates in the formulation, implementation, and assessment of financial aid and enrollment strategies. Directs, trains, supervises, and evaluates financial aid staff. Provides for financial aid cross-training and staff development. Resolves and/or assists in the resolution of problems and/or complaints and initiates corrective action as appropriate. Promotes awareness for staff regarding the needs of different student populations and the array of services available on- and off- campus to meet those needs. Leads the office in business process analysis so as to continuously increase and improve operational efficiency and service, and ensures proper controls and regulatory compliance. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, perform a variety of tasks, and lead and direct the work of others.

• Financial Aid Program Funds and Program Management: Manages and supervises departmental operations for automated and manual financial award systems, data management, packaging, budgeting, records, disbursement, and reporting requirements for loan, employment, grant, and institutional scholarship programs. Directs and coordinates the delivery of a comprehensive student financial aid program to include but not limited to the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, Virginia Commonwealth Award, Virginia Two-Year College Transfer Grant, Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program, Virginia Line of Duty Survivor Educational Benefits, Christopher Newport University Grant Programs, Christopher Newport University Foundation Scholarships, Christopher Newport University Merit Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Private Scholarships, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Private Education Loans, and the Federal Work-Study program. Oversees the preparation of applications, budgets, and/or proposals and directs budgetary controls for efficient management, accountability, required audit trails, and checks/balances for federal, state, and local funds. Oversees needs assessment tools and individual student eligibility determinations for various aid programs. Develops and implements standards and leadership regarding verification, document review, and student generated information used to determine eligibility for financial aid awards. Directs the loan default prevention program and initiatives for assisting students with locating outside (private) scholarships. Develops and implements policies and procedures so that documentation, audit trails, accountability, and checks and balances exist for all funds disbursed. Collects, creates, implements, and monitors best practices related to scholarship allocation and financial aid processing. Employs policies and procedures for the administration of refunds, repayments, and return of Title IV aid for all withdrawing financial aid recipients. Chairs and convenes the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Develops annual assessment program for improving efficiencies and service to constituents.

• Technologies: Maximizes integration and use of technology, including but not limited to the Banner Enterprise System, the institution’s customer relationship management (CRM) technology, the institution’s workflow system, the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system, ED’s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), the ED’s National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), and the Ascendium College Cost Meter in delivering financial aid. Participates in a cross-functional team to maintain a paperless processing environment utilizing document management and workflow technologies. Oversees the migration from the Hobson’s CRM to the SLATE CRM. Manages the migration from Nolij to the Hyland workflow environment. Manages the enhancement and maintenance of the automated financial aid system (Banner) with Information Technology Services, Student Services Information Systems, and regulatory and guarantee agencies ensuring that all patches have been implemented and tested and that all federal releases have been uploaded and tested such that technological applications of financial aid delivery are current and in compliance.

• Federal, State, and Internal Audits and Program Reviews: Leads all efforts to include the compilation and reconciliation of documentation, applicable trainings, and various meetings associated with compliance surveys and/or audits. Ensures all policies and procedures are in place for compliance to be proven in the case of an audit or program review to include, but not limited to, the following aid programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, Virginia Commonwealth Award, Virginia Two-Year College Transfer Grant, Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program, Virginia Line of Duty Survivor Educational Benefits, Christopher Newport University Grant Programs, Christopher Newport University Foundation Scholarships, Christopher Newport University Merit Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Private Scholarships, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Private Education Loans, and the Federal Work-Study program. Effectively and efficiently communicates with University constituents as well as external and/or auditors during the audit process. Ensures and conducts multiple levels of proactive quality control checks for each process in the Office of Financial Aid to ensure compliance with all federal, state, institutional legislation and/or policies and procedures, in preparation for audits and to reduce materiality for any potential findings.

• Outreach, Counseling, Advising, and Programming: Oversees an effective and comprehensive student financial aid counseling program which maintains relationships with students, parents, faculty, advisors, and university administration so as to provide an avenue for students to seek assistance when needed. Serves on various university committees and teams as needed to include, but not limited to, the Residency Appeals Committee, the University Withdrawals Appeals Committee, the Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Committee. Designs, develops, implements, and participates (as needed) in outreach activities with an emphasis on financial aid advising and services to current and prospective students to include high school college nights, college fairs, admissions open houses, admitted freshman days, Setting Sail, Welcome Week, Community Captains program and events, and other outreach programs targeted at informing current and prospective students of financial aid availability and application processes. Develops and maintains strong relationships with local and, to the extent possible, state high school counselors. Provides programmatic and federal and state updates to all three admission offices (freshman, transfer, and graduate). Collaborates with various university constituencies to design, edit, and produce publications and communications regarding financial aid to support the institutions recruitment, enrollment, retention and completion goals.

• Special Programs and Needs Analysis Systems: Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures as well as the management, and disbursement of funds associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Responsible for the preparation for and implementation of changes as a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to include, but not limited to system updates, development and implementation of procedure and policy changes as a result of the implementation of the Student Aid Index (SAI) versus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and the development of and implementation of policy and procedures for the reimplementation of Year Round Pell. Manages changes to include the development of policies and procedures related to Virginia Senate Bill No. 1387 (a reenactment and amendment of §23.1-506 of the Code of Virginia by adding §23.1-505.1) which requires that students who meet the criteria to be deemed eligible for in-state tuition regardless of the citizenship or immigration status shall be afforded the same education benefits including financial assistance program administered by SCHEV as well as providing any and all necessary support to SCHEV in order to facilitate the required changes. Oversees the preparation for, implementation of, and subsequent development of policies and procedures related to the reform of state financial aid administration proposed by SCHEV. Oversees the development and implementation of a financial literacy and communication program to reduce the Institutional Cohort Default Rate with an understanding that high cohort default rates can put institutions at risk of losing federal funding.

• Reporting: Compiles required data and completes the annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), which is a requirement for funding at the federal level. Oversees data retrieval and the completion of the SCHEV S5 Plan for the Distribution of Undergraduate Student Aid Funds Under the Virginia Student Financial Aid Assistance Program (VSFAP) to ensure compliance with state laws to include, but not limited to the Appropriation Act (§4-5.01) and Code of Virginia (§23.1.636 – 23.1-638; §23.1-601) annually. Manages the compilation and analysis of data for the completion of the SCHEV S1/2 Financial Aid Data File in accordance with provisions set forth in the Virginia Administrative Code, Code of Virginia, and Appropriation Act, Virginia Administrative Code (8VAC40-132; 8VAC40-180), and all other applicable formal and informal SCHEV guidance annually. Leads the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) process with the U.S. Department of Education. Provides weekly financial aid reports to members of the senior staff. Oversees compilation and analysis of data and responses to requests for data from constituents of the University to include, but not limited to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services, the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success; University Advancement, the Dean of Admission, the Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Studies, and Accreditation; various academic departments; the CNU Educational Foundation; and the Business Office. Compiles and analyzes data and develops an online reporting component to ensure compliance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

• Other: Performs related duties as required or assigned. Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and relations within the office/division and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, administrators, other employees, other agency personnel and community members. Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service. Completes all work in a timely, efficient and accurate manner. Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absence.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) required

Strong organizational and effective communication skills. Strong leadership, teambuilding, collaboration, analytical, strategic planning, and interpersonal communication skills. Proven ability to set work priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, hands-on environment while meeting deadlines. Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional financial aid rules and regulations. Expertise with the U.S. Department of Education’s Code of Federal Regulations and Higher Education Act, as amended, with regard to federal aid programs as well as federal privacy laws. Demonstrated ability for student programming and public speaking.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) preferred

Familiarity with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s financial aid programs.
Knowledge of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Required Education

Master’s degree in a related field or a Bachelor’s degree with experience that would equate to a Master’s degree required.

Preferred Education

Master’s degree in a related field.

Experience Required

Proven history of directly related and progressively responsible experience in financial aid or in a related area of higher education. Prior supervisory experience. Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for higher education.

Experience Preferred

Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite. Experience with student program development. Demonstrated experience with Banner. Experience with SQL*, Toad, SQL Developer, or an equivalent application. Strong financial management experience. Data analysis experience. Experience working at a four-year liberal arts institution. Demonstrated experience with program management.

CNU Information

Selected by The Princeton Review for The 386 Best Colleges: 2021 Edition, and highly ranked for its quality of life and innovative leadership, Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience — great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. A “student-first, teaching-first” community, Christopher Newport is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. The University is located between Williamsburg and the Virginia beaches in Newport News, and enrolls 5,100 students. Academic programs encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University has a new and technologically advanced campus, has generated over 7,300 applications for a freshmen class of 1,155 and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide as fourth among public regional universities in the South and seventh among all regional universities in the South. In addition, Christopher Newport is ranked third among all public schools for having "the highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students.” Christopher Newport is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We seek exceptional and diverse candidates and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

AP138P

Number of Vacancies

1

Posting Date

04/09/2021

Application Deadline

04/25/2021

Application Instructions

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application. Review of applications will begin April 25, 2021. Applications received after April 25, 2021, will be accepted but considered only if needed. Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Quick Link for Internal Postings

https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/10823

EEO Statement

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement: