Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships

Provide high quality leadership and strategic vision for the department, with emphasis on growth, access, equity, and inclusivity. Hire, train, supervise and evaluate full-time employees to assure that policies and procedures are followed and student needs are met. Ensure all policies and procedures foster an inclusive and equitable environment for students, staff, and other stakeholders. Develop and manage budgets for all area supervised to assure efficient operation and quality service. Supervise Financial Aid Office staff and its day to day activities; provide in-service training. Establish and administer policies/procedures for processing and awarding financial aid, updating with any change in legislation/regulation requirements. Establish and consistently follow accepted fiscal/accounting procedures in fund management to ensure equity and protect the College from liability. Administer and monitor over 170 different budgets, reallocating funds within program limitations to ensure full utilization of resources. Remain current with frequent changes in federal regulations governing financial aid; rapidly and accurately implement policy/procedural revisions, including notification to staff, College administration and students. Also remain current with changes and new program development within the College to establish and approve new curricula and sites for financial aid eligibility. Initiate and supervise expansion of automation capabilities for financial aid processing and awarding. Provide appropriate communication with students regarding financial aid. Supervise School of Applied Technology (SAT) and Financial Aid staff; establish and monitor campus based award procedures for SAT clock hour programs. Coordinate and collaborate with other College offices whose functions interrelate with the Financial Aid Office, i.e. Enrollment Services, Cashiering, Business Office, Athletics, Data Center, School Relations, Orientation and Student Success, Admissions, Institutional Research, and Office of Information Technology. Supervise extensive data processing functions needed for award processing; monitoring of satisfactory academic progress of aid recipients; compilation of statistical and fiscal data. Prepare and submit annual and other periodic reports for federal, state and other funding sources. Administer Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all student records according to the law and institutional policy. Represent Financial Aid Office on various College committees to provide input and improve policies, procedures and processes. Represent College in state, regional and national educational organizations. Coordinate with Development Office in soliciting scholarships funds from business and community. As Financial Aid spokesperson, present Financial Aid Office philosophy, policies and procedures to students, staff and faculty of College and the community. Review Financial Aid as requested for correctness and consistency. Complete electronic FISAP and oversee electronic balancing of Pell Accounts as required. Participate in yearly audit. Other duties as assigned. This position is at will.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Ensure adherence to multiple sets of regulations/requirements for the numerous types and heavy volume of aid administered through the Financial Aid Office on behalf of students, the College and funding sources. Ensure proper training of all financial aid staff on compliance to aforementioned regulations, as well as equity, diversity, and inclusivity training.
Preclude liability risk for the College through proper accounting, reporting and management of over 170 different fund accounts.
Accountable to Utah State Board of Regents to ensure that all requirements for financial aid programs at state institutions are met.
Accountable to U.S. Department of Education for proper processing and awarding of the Direct Stafford Student Loan Program, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for Students, and Direct PLUS loan programs. This includes provision of loan entrance and exit counseling e-signing of Master Promissory Notes and close supervision of academic progress for every student with a loan.
Strategic deployment of access and outreach efforts to increase use and eligibility of federal Title IV funds and other sources of student aid. Collaborate with Admissions, Orientation & Student Success, and related departments to promote all sources of student aid and FAFSA completion.
Accountable to U.S. Department of Education for proper administration of all Title IV financial aid programs.
Accountable to Business Office for the supervision and the accuracy of award processing and disbursement scheduling and for provision of clear and acceptable audit trails for all transactions.
Provide delivery of accessible and equitable financial aid services by planning, organizing and coordinating all aspects of processes.
Provide courteous, equitable, and inclusive services to student, visitors, faculty and staff by properly training and by providing prompt, accurate and courteous response to inquiries and concerns.
Manage budgets by accurate evaluation of needs and resources, together with wise spending to provide needed services and equipment.
Cultivate a productive and courteous staff by providing a positive work environment with appropriate tools, equipment and other resources.
Other duties as assigned.

Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of diverse people, ability, culture, and ethnic background, to maintain good working relationships across the College. 
 
Ability to work with all groups in a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background of community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree preferred

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Five (5) to seven (7) years’ progressively responsible experience in financial aid programs;
proven administrative, supervisory and analytical skills;
thorough knowledge of Title IV regulations; basic accounting and budgeting experience; Knowledge and experience in data processing applications for financial aid and scholarship programs;
demonstrated skills in writing and public speaking;
ability to communicate well with students, staff, and faculty. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, and to adapt to rapid changes in complex regulations governing financial aid distribution.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply on or before the priority review date indicated above.

More information about Salt Lake Community College benefits: http://i.slcc.edu/hr/benefits/benefitsinformation.aspx

Successful completion of a criminal background check may be required for this position. Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is fully committed to policies of equal employment and nondiscrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, religion, protected veteran status, expression of political or personal beliefs outside of the workplace, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. 
 
SLCC is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). 
 
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check.