Director of Financial Aid – Position

Director of Financial Aid – Staff Position

JOB SUMMARY:

WPU strives to create a vibrant learning community for all its members, including students, staff, and faculty. To help foster that community, the Director of Financial Aid will lead by example and develop others’ leadership capabilities, employ relevant technologies, and actively demonstrate the Quaker virtues of simplicity, peace‑making, integrity, community, and equality. Specifically, the Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the university’s awarding of federal, state and institutional aid and supports university processes to achieve educational and economic goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent financial aid experience.

B. Experience Three to five years’ supervisory experience and financial reporting experience required. Prior Higher Education experience preferred but not required.

C. Abilities

• Good office management/coordination abilities.
• Independent decision making, ability to exercise good judgment, and use of critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in an environment of shifting priorities; frequent interruptions; hectic pace; and interaction with students, staff and/or the public.
• Working knowledge of computer software programs which may include Word, Excel, institutional mainframe computer software, or similar programs.
• Excellent written communication skills including proficiency in business English, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Ability to handle highly confidential matters and materials with discretion.
• Ability to work independently as well as be a collaborative team player in completing assigned tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent customer service skills including phone and in‑person reception etiquette.
• Proficiency with office machines including fax, scanner and copy machine.

REPORTS TO:

V. P. for Enrollment Management & Institutional Research

SUPERVISES:
Associate Director of Financial Aid;
Financial Aid Counselor‑Verification Specialist;
Financial Aid Counselor‑ Federal Work Study Coordinator.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide an education with a Leadership and Technology focus and enliven that provision through adherence to the Quaker principles of simplicity, peace‑making, integrity, community, and equality.
• Represents the College in a positive manner with prospective, current, and former students, employees, and the community.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, self‑motivation, and a positive attitude in meeting and dealing effectively and courteously with students, other personnel, and all members of the community.
• Interprets departmental and/or college policies and procedures.
• Works harmoniously with others.
• Performs in a manner which benefits student learning.
• Provides leadership and helps establish goals within sphere of responsibility.
• Is effectively self‑motivated. Acts rather than reacts. Works under own volition.
• Evaluate personnel and use the results of evaluation to help improve job performance. If applicable, effectively moves subordinates toward these goals.
• Demonstrates willingness to make decisions when they are required. Gathers facts and makes decisions based on facts. Justifies own decisions in an intelligent and critical manner.
• Perform activities in an ethical manner. Works with integrity and respects the rights of individuals.
• Reads and participates in professional organizations. Seeks ways to improve administratively and professionally.
• Can be depended upon to meet deadlines. Is reliable in attending meetings and fulfilling commitments.
• Develop, update, and maintain institutional policies and procedures in collaboration with the VP of Retention and Institutional Research and the Associate Director of Financial Aid.
• Provide information for WPU website.
• Complete required surveys and reports.
• Attend professional development training at state and federal level.
• Perform all student Withdrawal Forms and Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations as needed. Send forms with support documentation regarding last day of attendance per course, to the Registrar and Student Account Manager.
• Liaison officer for the CIC and National Tuition Exchange programs.
• Perform Satisfactory Academic Progress…