Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Summary/objective

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers all Federal Aid and Institutional Financial Aid Programs, ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws, as well as University policy. The Office provides students and parents with comprehensive information on available aid; is responsible for reconciliation and reporting for all students’ aids received by the University; and, works directly with Federal and State officials and auditors in response to various comments and inquiries. The Assistant Director shares the administrative responsibilities of all financial aid programs with the Director. This position serves as part of the leadership team in Financial Aid and participates in office-wide goal setting and strategic planning. The responsible individual must possess a thorough working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations governing the awarding and disbursement of financial aid. Responsible for ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal regulations. The Assistant Director is responsible for federal work study program and alternative loans. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

1. Counseling current and prospective students (and parents) regarding financial aid availability and the application process. Counsel college students, parents, high school students, and other prospective students on Federal, State, Institutional and Third-party aid programs and how they may interact with one another.

2. Serve as staff expert on the federal student work program and maintain the business process guides that outline the specific processes and procedures. Coordinate regular fund reconciliation, liaising with the Director of Financial Aid.

3. Working with the Director to ensure the university has exception-free Financial Aid audits and program reviews by keeping abreast of and implementing all federal and state laws and regulations that pertain to the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office.

4. Interprets and applies federal laws and regulations; college policies and regulations; and state regulations relating to the delivery of student financial assistance.

5. Assist in daily operations of the financial aid office.

6. Review origination and extract files for error and correcting issues in Banner and COD/NSLDS.

7. Monitors college work-study expenditures, community service, and assists students through the work study process.

8. Reconciles funds such as FWS, SEOG, Go Grant, Teach, etc.

9. Calculates refunds and repayments for students who withdraw from school.

10. Review and perform certification of alternative loans.

11. Participates in orientation sessions and attends college fairs, community programs, open houses for the purpose of providing financial aid information to new and prospective students.

Work Study Program Management

12. Serve as staff expert on the specific program and maintain the business process guides that outline the specific processes and procedures. Coordinate regular fund reconciliation, liaising with the Director of Financial Aid.

13. Act as primary representative of federal and state work study program to applicants, staff, on- and off-campus employers, and fiscal personnel. Advise constituents about program eligibility using specialized knowledge of financial aid and work study policies and assist in problem solving. 

14. Project, monitor, maintain, initiate, and approve expenditures for the federal and state work study programs.

15. Initiate, collect, and process yearly off-campus contracts and associated payroll data.

16. Coordinate with employers and payroll on award approvals.

17. Maintains electronic work study files.

18. Develop, evaluates, and implements procedures and workflow.

19. Assists with required State and Federal work study reconciliation and reporting. Ensures accurate data is reported in Banner

Other responsibilities

20. Corresponds with students to request additional documentation and reconcile conflicting information pursuant to the federal guidelines.

21. Utilizes and maintains the current Financial Aid module in the University’s student information system. Ensures that the system is used effectively and that processes to produce enhancements are developed which are technologically up-to-date and user/student friendly.

22. Maintains University’s Financial Aid data to assure timely and accurate submission of required federal, state and local reports.

23. Ensures that students are informed about their eligibility for financial aid by developing and directing a system for collecting and evaluating applications, and for the timely and effective awarding of all types of financial aid.

24. Maintains confidentiality of information exposed to in the course of business regarding students, supervisors or other employees.

25. Contributes to student satisfaction through delivery of quality customer service in all aspects of the administration of financial aid and student employment services. This includes answering inquiries from parents, faculty and staff on an array of financial aid policies and procedures.

26. Contributes to a safe educational and working environment by participating in all drills and training and being prepared to act should a health or safety emergency occur.

27. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of college students that come from diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic and racial backgrounds.
• Develop positive rapport with assigned financial aid personnel to develop a sense of teamwork.
• Interpret, apply, and enforce federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel including student workers.
• Work independently on complex financial aid issues and processes
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Prior experience with the Ellucian BANNER system is highly desirable. However, the ability to 0perate computer hardware, computer software, and other appropriate office equipment is required.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Cultivates positive relationships with UAT students and ensures the highest level of customer service.
•  Ability to analyze processes, improve procedures, and generate innovative solutions.
• Experience managing Title IV program
• NSLDS experience.
• Reconciliation Compliance.
• Cash management.

Work environment

Office setting.

Physical demands

Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.

Travel required

Up to 25%.

Required education and experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five (5) years of progressive financial aid experience.
• Requires the kind of teamwork, supervision, and personal interaction, that cannot be had in a home office situation; therefore, regular and predictable on-site attendance is a job requirement 

Preferred education and experience

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with BANNER in student and financial modules is desired.

Additional eligibility requirements

The ability to drive and a valid driver's license are required.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Southern University at New Orleans is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws. This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.