Director of Financial Aid

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Responsible for the planning, organization, and administration of the financial aid program at the University. Oversees all aspects of the financial aid operations; ensures overall compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; and manages overall data collection and dissemination for reports, surveys, and audits. Ensures the financial aid staff and operation delivers a high-quality, responsive, customer-service orientation to internal and external audiences. The Director of Financial Aid has the authority for making decisions relative to financial aid awarding policies, professional judgment issues, operating policies and procedures, expenditure policies, work guidelines for staff assignments and reassignments, and for departmental priorities in the delivery of student financial aid.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises subordinate professional, classified, contracted, and student employee personnel assigned to the area (at the discretion of the Dean of Enrollment Management); serves a leadership role with assigned tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports directly to the Dean of Enrollment Management; will work on team projects under the leadership of designated team leaders.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages coordination and delivery of all federal, state, institutional and private student aid funds. Overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Serves as the primary Compliance Officer in the financial aid office for Title IV federal aid regulations and state aid regulations. Coordinates completion of the FISAP and HEERF reports with other offices and submits the reports. Assists with Consumer Information reporting and oversees staff completion of financial aid sections of Common Data Set reporting and IPEDS reporting. Serves as the financial aid liaison with the single audit.
• Manages the overall University financial aid budget. Creates/updates packaging formulas, algorithms, and reports to appropriately leverage available financial aid in congruence with established University objectives. Ensures fiscal accountability in fund management, authorizations, disbursements, and recovery by coordinating technology and information systems for effective administration of student financial aid funds.
• Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates financial aid policies and procedures to meet students' needs while supporting University enrollment goals. Administers and facilitates the awarding of new and continuing students financial aid packages which may include Federal Pell and SEOG Programs, Massachusetts State Aid and Tuition Waiver Programs, University Programs, and/or Federal Work Study.
• Coordinates financial aid file review, verification, and awarding. Ensures timely communication with students via letters, email, web, telephone calls, etc. regarding financial aid processes. Works closely with enrollment management colleagues to administer initiatives that improve financial aid outreach and responsiveness.
• Oversees the verification of specific federal and/or state criteria, authorization of payment process, and reconciliations with accounting office(s) and R2T4 in compliance with federal and state regulations and University policies. Manages the reconciliation of appropriate information with internal (e.g., Student Accounts and Business Office) and external (federal and state government) constituents, and ensures completion of appropriate reports (e.g., FISAP) and surveys (e.g., College Board) by established deadlines. Provides scheduled reconciliations of financial aid transactions and award balances to Student Accounts and general ledger balances to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of fiscal records. This includes, but is not limited to, researching, troubleshooting, processing, and collaboratively resolving variances as needed.
• Manages the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Process including policy review and updates, appeal reviews, and working with Academic Advising Office to create academic plans for students.
• Liaises with Admissions, Business Office/Accounting, Registrar, Residence Life, Student Accounts, and other offices to ensure that transactional activities are complementary and smoothly integrated. Collaborate with other university departments to ensure compliance with federal regulations not directly managed through the financial aid department.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction to staff including supervision, training, and professional development.
• Manages the Financial Aid (E140) office budget and oversees the processing of purchase requisitions, encumbrances, university purchase card payments, and travel reimbursements as they relate to the Financial Aid Office.
• Coordinates the University scholarship process for current students and liaises with the Dean of Enrollment Management, Associate Dean/Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Director of Fiscal Affairs, and the Executive Director of the Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IASFA) on scholarships for new and current students.
• Manages NetParnter, EdConnect, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and related Department of Education interfaces.
• Assists with creating, managing, revising a centralized enrollment management task list and a centralized document that educates faculty, staff, and students on enrollment management functions (i.e., creates transparency in the student transactional services).
• Develops and coordinates programming related to financial aid and financing options, which includes (but not limited to) admissions recruitment events, new student orientation sessions, and financial literacy workshops. When appropriate, conducts financial aid information sessions (small and large group formats) and meets with students to communicate financial aid application procedures to students, parents, high school counselors, and community college advisors.
• Prepares statistical data/reports appropriate to the Financial Aid Office. Creates financial aid reports that align with admissions reports; compiles and analyzes socioeconomic, geographic, demographic data, and peer institution data; and creates benchmarking data on financial aid that informs/guides recruitment strategies and strategies for improving student completion.
• Coordinates the creation/evaluation of the publications, programs, and overall strategies of the Financial Aid Office. Manages and leverages technology (e.g., financial aid website pages, FATV subscription, vendor relationships) to advance strategic financial aid objectives.
• Manages interfaces with PowerFAIDS and Banner Student Information System (which currently involves a third-party vendor); serves as a member of the ASMIT committee.
• Facilitate the Financial Aid Planning Group; available to serve on special and/or standing committees of the University.
• Actively contributes to deliver a working environment that promotes optimism, collaboration, respect, solutions conscious dialogue, and exceptional service to everyone. Responsible for coordinating conscientious onboarding of new employees. Uses tact and diplomacy to gain consensus with issues that cross office boundaries.
• Oversees document shredding for the Financial Aid Office while ensuring compliance with Massachusetts Secretary of State (e.g. submits FORM RCB-2 - Application for Destruction Permission).
• Assumes responsibility for special projects as assigned.
• Strives to maintain and augment knowledge and skills in the financial aid field through advanced study, professional activities or participation in conferences, seminars, workshops and similar professional gatherings.
• Ensures that affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity are integrally part of all actions and decisions within the scope of duties.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree; minimum of seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in financial aid related work; minimum of three (3) years of full-time professional/clerical staff supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations. Significant experience in the use of federal methodology needs analysis systems, automated financial aid systems, and current financial aid software.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, ingenuity, and innovation to resolve complex and often highly visible issues with campus-wide impact.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; demonstrated ability to work independently, collaboratively, and under pressure during periods of high volume.
• Demonstrated strategic thinker in policy development, enrollment management concepts, and financial aid procedures/policies intended to respond to the changing trends within higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, administrative staff, classified personnel and students.
• Demonstrated ability to express oneself effectively in written and oral communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Must be willing and able to travel and attend training programs and professional conferences off-site (overnight travel required). Valid U.S. driver's license and access to reliable transportation required.
• Must be willing and able to work extended hours and weekends when needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree (preference given to a student affairs or related discipline)
• Experience with PowerFAIDS, Net Partner, Banner Student Information System and programs related to the Unified Digital Campus
• Ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in financial aid related work; previous director-level experience and creation of financial aid packaging formulas.
• Speaking/listening knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a title of Director. The salary range is $100,000-122,000, commensurate with credentials and experience.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, please apply by June 30, 2023. Applications may continued to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

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