Director of Student Financial Aid

Director of Student Financial Aid

This position will work as a member of the Enrollment Management Team to facilitate recruiting, enrollment, and retention of students at Washington Adventist University. Person must be an independent and organized worker who is self-disciplined and motivated and able to work with minimal supervision under strict deadlines. Person will have primary responsibility for managing Financial Aid compliance by implementing federally required coordination of institutional funds with federal funds;

performs fund management functions for Title IV and state programs and select institutional funds. The individual is required to maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding extremely sensitive matters.

• Directs administration of Student Financial Services by identifying, establishing, and executing short-term and long-range goals; develops and enforces policies and procedures.
• Responsible for obtaining information, evaluating student need, maintaining high customer service standards, managing financial clearance processes, establishing aid to be awarded, and obtaining and authorizing federal and state funds for students.
• Maintains financial aid process by monitoring staff effectiveness; interprets federal and state aid regulations; advises staff on policy, procedure and issues as needed.
• Prepares federal and state reports as required; compiles required data/lists by collecting and analyzing information; submits information as requested.
• Complies with federal and state aid requirements by studying existing and new programs, policies, and procedures enforcing adherence to requirements.
• Provides information to students and parents by conducting financial aid seminars and workshops; counsels students on debt management and financial planning.
• As the university's Veteran's Affairs Representative, administers veteran's benefits and complies with all regulations associated with veteran's affairs.
• Manages financial aid awards for Adventist Colleges Abroad program.
• Represents Student Financial Services by advising Executive Vice President for Financial Administration on financial aid matters; and serves on committees as assigned.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops and conferences; reviews professional publications; establishes personal networks; participates in professional societies.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Supports a spirit of excellence in service.
• Attends mandatory Convocation every Wednesday.

Receives direct supervision from the Associate Vice President of Enrollment. Directly supervises one Associate Director, three Financial Advisors, one Loan Officer/Financial Advisor and three - four student employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or

Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, master's preferred in related field; and
• Four to ten years related experience and/or training;
  Or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training may be considered.

Language

Skills:

• Superior command of English grammar and spelling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Exceptional presentation and public speech ability.
• Conversational Spanish as 2nd language helpful but not required.

Mathematical and Technology

Skills:

• Ability to analyze financial documents statistical data using mathematical formulas and tools.
• Working knowledge and application of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in use of Student Information Systems.

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