Associate Director of Financial Aid GSEC & LAW

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Associate Director of Financial Aid for GSEC & LAW within the Office of Financial Aid reports directly to the AVP for Financial Aid. This role is primarily responsible for managing relationships with the Graduate School of Education and Counseling (GSEC) and Lewis & Clark Law School including administrative staff, program directors, and students, reviewing financial aid applications, performing needs analysis, and determining eligibility for various aid programs.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of federal and institutional financial aid policies, and the ability to counsel students effectively. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at managing relationships across campus, managing complex financial aid cases, maintaining compliance with federal regulations, and communicating financial aid information clearly to students from diverse backgrounds.

• Review financial aid applications for Graduate School of Education and Counseling (GSEC) and Law School students, performing needs analysis to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.
• Recalculate financial aid eligibility based on updated information, ensuring compliance with federal and institutional policies.
• Use professional judgment to adjust the cost of attendance on a case-by-case basis for students with unique circumstances.
• Maintain relationships with and regularly connect with GSEC and Law School administrative staff and program directors to ensure aid awarded is aligned with the student program and meets federal compliance requirements.

• Prepare and issue financial aid awards for a caseload of GSEC and Law School students, incorporating federal, state, and institutional funding sources.
• Consult with the Assistant Vice President (AVP) as needed for complex cases and adjustments based on changes in student eligibility.
• Monitor changes in student eligibility and revise awards accordingly, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.

• Counsel students individually and in groups regarding the financial aid process, explaining eligibility, loan repayment strategies, and budgeting.
• Advise students on financial aid over the course of their academic programs, helping them understand how aid works and how to manage their financial obligations.
• Support students in navigating complex or confidential financial aid situations, providing clear guidance on documentation requirements and professional judgment requests.

• Manage federal and institutional programs, including Ameri Corps, VA/Yellow Ribbon, and consortium agreements, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Track, report, and reconcile financial data for designated programs, ensuring all reporting requirements are met.

• Resolve federal application flags by working with students to gather and verify necessary documentation for awarding federal aid.
• Perform federally required verification of financial aid applications, reviewing tax documents and other materials to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Clear flags and update financial aid data based on verified information, recalculating aid eligibility as necessary.

• Proficient in federal and institutional financial aid policies and procedures, including knowledge of programs such as Federal Direct Loans, VA/Yellow Ribbon, and consortium agreements.
• Extremely knowledgeable in financial aid systems and software, including Ellucian Colleague, Perceptive Content, Informer, and MS Office…