Reports To:     Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management

Status:             Exempt, Full Time       

General Description

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the oversight and administration of all institutional, federal, state, veterans, and external financial aid funds for undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate certificate students. The director will collaborate across departments for effective and accurate service to students. The Financial Aid Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations, including the proper handling of all students' financial records, and managing the timely disbursement, reconciliation, and cash flows of all aid.   

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Maintains a high level of professional competence in best practices in financial aid, program assessment, operational budgeting and a working knowledge of the college software system. 
2. Direct supervision of all financial aid staff. Determines work priorities, trains, delegates tasks, and evaluates work efforts.
3. Administers, controls, and coordinates federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds from numerous individual programs. Ensures compliance with all laws and regulations through accurate reporting and auditing and resolves any issues related to auditors' findings. 
4. Reviews the processing and edits work performed by the department staff.  Resolves complex problems for office staff, students, and other parties involving funding, awarding and/or disbursement of funds.
5. Works with staff to prepare financial aid packages for new and current students. Process Special Circumstances for students as needed. 
6. Submit various required Federal, State and Institutional Reports including FISAP, NYSED, IPEDS, HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program), NCAA, audit reports, and more. 
7. Responsible for R2T4 process and Direct Loan reporting. Originate, disburse, and reconcile Pell Grant and Direct Loan Programs. Ensure SAP compliance.  
8. HEOP packaging and fund distribution
9. Administer institutional funds in accordance with MSMC best practices. 
10. Regular participation in training and professional associations to keep up to date with latest information from the Department of Education and New York State to effectively manage and implement all required changes. 
11. Provide superior customer service to students and families. Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for incoming, current, and returning student populations; including a financial literacy program for current and graduating students. 
12. Maintains the office policy and procedures manual as it relates to financial aid programs.
13. Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to diverse social, cultural, and economic circumstances. 

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
2. Minimum of 6+ years of progressive work experience in financial aid services including demonstrated knowledge of student financial aid regulations and program administration.  
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
4. Strong knowledge of Federal and New York State Financial Aid policies, team management, and best practices. 
5. Ability to manage (plan, budget, staff, evaluate) an office with a variety of functions.
6. Willingness to learn and adapt to new skills/technologies. Current systems utilized by FA (Financial Aid) include Jenzabar (SIS), Jenzabar Financial Aid (JFA), and Slate (CRM).  
7. Strong leadership skills with the ability to handle demanding situations and conversations calmly and effectively. 
8. High degree of organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously with meticulous attention to detail. 
9. Collaborate and effectively communicate with outside agencies, auditors, and offices on campus. Must be a confident public speaker in front of diverse audiences. 
10. Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
11. Participate in internal committees, working groups, and strategic plan initiatives, as needed. 
12. Some travel, evening, and weekend hours may be required.