Director of Financial Aid

Tracking Code462-262 Job DescriptionMuskegon Community College

Named the 19th Best Community College in the U.S. in 2021, Muskegon offers accredited academic programs leading to 54 associate degrees and 32 certificates. As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, MCC’s nationally recognized commitment to student success unites its faculty and staff in their mission to prepare students, build communities and improve lives.

One of Michigan’s most picturesque community colleges, the Muskegon main campus building - an award-winning Alden Dow design - spans Four Mile Creek on a 15-acre sylvan setting. The campus boasts several new multimillion-dollar facilities - the Health and Wellness Center, the Science Center and the Art and Music Building - and includes University Park Golf Course and the Carr-Fles Planetarium. The Sturrus Technology Center in historic downtown Muskegon is home to state-of-the-art applied technology offerings, the Rooks|Sarnicola Entrepreneur Center and the Lakeshore Fab Lab. MCC offers classes in adjacent Ottawa and Newaygo Counties.

Living in Muskegon County
Muskegon County residents enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, as well as one of America’s only luge tracks at the Winter Sports Complex and the regionally popular Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park. An outdoor recreation hub with three state parks and swimming, fishing and boating on its many lakes and rivers, the Muskegon area offers dynamic downtown and beachfront restaurant and entertainment venues. The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is the second largest in Michigan. Cruise ships dock in Muskegon, while a high-speed ferry connects the city to Milwaukee. Notable local museums range from rare art collections to an actual World War II submarine and a U.S. Navy ship used during D-Day.

Full responsibility for the student financial aid programs in coordination with all federal, state and institutional guidelines; supervise all financial aid staff including financial aid student employees. Participates collaboratively across the institution, and actively delivers strong customer service to internal and external customers while supporting student success and completion. Creating a positive/welcoming environment for all prospective students and families.

First Review Date: September 13, 2021

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Required Skills

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree required in management, accounting, finance, business administration or related field. (Masters’ preferred).
2. Four years administrative experience working in a financial aid office.
3. Minimum 3 years supervisor experience preferred.
4. Thorough knowledge of Title IV student financial aid programs, operations, professional principles, scope of practices, methods and procedures, reporting requirements and deadlines, terminology, and software; prefer demonstrated experience with state financial programs
5. Prefer NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator or willingness to become certified
6. Knowledge & experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook)
7. Demonstrated use of tact, judgement and discretion, and ability to relate to people of all ages, races, and social-economic backgrounds.
8. Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills, both written and oral, which transcend diverse audiences. Training/coaching experience desired.
9. Demonstrated experience with college ERP system, prefer experience with Colleague and reporting tools; as well as the willingness and ability to stay up to date with systems/technology.
10. Highly motivated and solution oriented with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of the College with the ability to handle complex problems.
11. Demonstrated positive and proactive approach working collaboratively with other while identifying concerns, creating innovative solutions and managing projects.

Essential Functions:

1. Administer and coordinate all federal, state and institutional student financial aid programs. Responsible for the development, implementation and adherence to all required policies, procedures and regulations to insure exceptional financial aid services are provided for current and future students.
2. Coordinate, request and provide high quality training opportunities for financial aid staff to ensure they are fully capable of administering all aspects of their primary and alternate duties as assigned.
3. Provide overall leadership to the Office of Financial Aid on financial assistance programs including, but not limited to, Title IV federal aid, state aid, private or third-party funds, and institutional scholarships, ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations with packaging policies and procedures for awarding federal aid.
4. Oversees the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV Funds processes.
5. Oversees coordination of student loan processing between students, federal government, and the institution. Oversee Title IV refunds and repayments, including U.S. Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications.
6. Administers appeals process related to SAP and Special Circumstances. Establish appeals committee and appeal guidelines. Trains appeals committee and ensures they follow procedural and regulatory requirements. Notifies students of appeal outcomes and counsel students on available options.
7. Lead and supervise staff in the student financial aid office to work collaboratively with other campus offices and to train them on policies, regulations, and customer services strategies
8. Provide data required by Federal and State agencies including preparation for audits of financial aid records; complete required report for Pell recipients, complete the annual Fiscal Operations Report Application to Participate (FISAP) in Federal Student Financial Aid Programs, file Institutional Price and Student Financial Aid (IPSFA) and provide financial aid data for IPEDS.
9. Manage funds, prepare, and submit reports as required by the funding agencies.
10. Prepare, submit, and monitor the annual operating budget for financial aid; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; control and authorize expenditures in accordance with established Federal, State, and College policies and procedures.
11. Conduct training and professional develop opportunities with other campus staff, faculty, high school partners, and community members on financial aid topics.
12. Coordinate programming related to financial aid and financing options, including open houses, high school visits, orientation sessions, and community events.
13. Develop, recommend, implement, maintain, and distribute policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines for financial aid programs ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws and institutional regulations.
14. Communicate with College administrators, Information Services, Finance and Administration, and other personnel and outside agencies to coordinate activities and programs, resolve problems, and exchange information.
15. Participate in the short and long-term planning processes for financial aid.
16. Maintain current knowledge of new or changing financial aid related regulations; develop and modify procedures and standards accordingly; incorporate creative guidelines and innovative trends into financial aid, scholarship, and federal work study program.
17. Analyze and forecast expenditures for Federal, State, and institutional grant aid, loan, and work programs.
18. Develop and maintain a system for the maintenance of confidential files, which include all documents required by financial aid funding entities, leveraging information technology systems where appropriate.
19. Supervise and complete the performance evaluation of assigned personal; interview and recommend selection of job application; schedule and assign work; document performance and assure compliance with UACCB personnel policies and procedures.
20. Assesses students eligibility for financial assistance and authorizes the disbursement of funds.
21. Reports on the utilization of student aid funds.
22. Provide planning and operations assistance to executive management of the college through active participation and leadership on task forces, committees and councils.
23. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Physical, Mental, and Environment Requirements Include:

Mental Demands:

☒ Detailed Work ☒ Student Contact

☒ Deadline oriented ☒ Problem Situations

☒ Multiple Priorities & Demands ☒ Emergency Situations

☒ Confidentiality ☐ On-call Availability

☒ Continual Interruptions ☒ Working Alone

☒ Faculty Contact ☒ Working with Others

Physical Demands:

☒ Standing & Walking ☒ Sitting

☐ Reclining ☐ Carrying

☐ Lifting up to 10 lbs. ☒ Up to 25 lbs. ☐ Up to 50 lbs. ☐ 80 + lbs.

☒ Pushing, Pulling, Twisting, Bending ☐ Climb or Balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, or Crawl ☐ Squatting

☒ Handle or Feel ☐ Reach with Hands and Arms

☒ Talking or hearing ☐ Tasting/Smelling

☐ Working Overhead ☒ Speak in English via Phone or In Person

☒ Close, Distance, Peripheral, and Color Vision along with Depth Perceptions

☒ Ability to Adjust and Focus

Work Environment:

☐ Exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme heat/cold; and moderate to loud noise levels.

☒ Normal Office environment with little, if, any, discomfort due to heat, dust, noise and the like. Ability to travel to all campus locations required.

Muskegon Community College continues to promote staff diversity, and is an equal opportunity employer. MCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, political persuasion, disability, height, weight, veteran status, age or any other protected class in any of its educational programs, activities or employment. Minorities, women, veterans, and the physically challenged are encouraged to apply. Anyone with a disability will be reasonably accommodated by the College. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance in applying for this position, please contact the Human Resources Office.

Job Location Muskegon, Michigan, United StatesPosition TypeFull-Time/Regular