Director of Financial Aid

Description

Summary:

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of an established financial aid program (federal, state, and institutional funds) that adheres to regulations with integrity and ethical values and upholds the mission and vision of Casper College. This position also oversees admissions application processing, the Enrollment Services one-stop, international student programming, and Veterans benefits.

Responsibilities:

General administration of the Financial Aid Office. The Director monitors budgets, provides Financial Aid-related advisement, and establishes policies and procedures in compliance with current federal, state, and institutional guidelines and is primarily responsible for the planning, development, organization, administration, and overall coordination and supervision of a comprehensive Financial Aid program and staff.

The Director collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus departments to create strategies that address the diverse needs of the student body, ensuring an inclusive and students-first approach. Additionally, the position involves analyzing data to assess program and process effectiveness and driving continuous improvement in alignment with institutional goals. The Director also coordinates with Accounting and Financial Management and IT on Financial Aid matters and serves as the Veterans Certifying Official.

This position requires exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as an ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and a strong commitment to advancing the institutions mission through strategic enrollment management through financial aid and compliance efforts.

Essential Duties

• Provide leadership, training, and direction for the Financial Aid Office and the Enrollment Services one-stop.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, institutional, and foundation regulations by preparing required summaries, compiling statistical data, overseeing award distribution, processing, and reconciliation, and managing mandatory reporting, including (but not limited to) FISAP, Consumer Information, Gainful Employment, IPEDS, NSLDS enrollment reporting, and SSCR review.
• Formulate student expense budgets to accurately represent the cost of education for student categories; serve on the campus Tuition and Fee committee.
• Monitor and administer all Title IV aid programs including reconciliations of campus-based aid, federal grants, and direct loans.
• Represent CC in the National, Rocky Mountain, and Wyoming Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; serve as the state liaison for data security, data sharing, and other financial aid matters.
• Participate in Strategic Enrollment Management efforts at Casper College to ensure campus-wide involvement, development, and implementation of the strategic enrollment plan as directed by the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management.
• Develop and evaluate financial aid programs, implement necessary procedures, and assure a comprehensive aid delivery system to all CC students. Ensures adherence to high level and complex policies and procedures as they relate to professional judgment, SAP, verification, and the awarding of all aid.
• Coordinate and monitor the application, distribution, recording, and reporting of all federal, state, and institutional student aid, including the federal work study program.
• Update, maintain, and interpret the CC financial aid policy and procedure manual; ensure the PPA/ECAR and other reports are updated annually in accordance with college catalog changes.
• Oversee the monitoring of student academic progress and continued eligibility or ineligibility for financial aid, notifying students, as necessary, and informing them oftheir right to appeal. This includes the review and processing of all professional judgement, special considerations, and standards of progress petitions.
• Administer and maintain financial aid systems, including computer data information systems that interface with college accounting systems and student records.
• Provide financial aid counseling to individual students through the application, award, disbursement, transfer and program completion phases.
• Arrange and conduct financial aid meetings, events, and literacy programs disseminate financial aid information to high school students and non-traditional potential student populations.
• Supervise the preparation, verification, and distribution of award letters for all federal need-based and institutionally funded recipients, maintaining both program andindividual student files.
• Monitor all Direct loan applications and disbursements and work closely with institutions and the guarantee agency to assure program eligibility.
• Oversee the verification process of student eligibility for various programs and make recommendations in available awards to the scholarship committee.
• Responsible for data security compliance including but not limited to, GLBA, FERPA, Privacy Act, and HEA, as amended.
• Manage the census roster reporting in conjunction with the Registrar.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters Degree from an accredited institution in Business or related area
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in post-secondary education field (admissions, student records, financial aid, or enrollment services)
• 5 years of supervisory experience
• Proficient with computer and technology use including, but not limited to, MS Office Suite, document imaging, database, customer relationship management (CRM), and other related software applications
• Knowledge of Federal and State financial aid regulations
• Knowledge of FERPA rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships a wide variety of people

Desired Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience in a Financial Aid Department
• Experience with Colleague and/or Image Documenting

Supplemental Information

Work Environment:

Typical work environment is an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. Interaction with the public will be required, especially during peak seasons. Short periods of time will be spent outdoors traveling between campus buildings in various weather conditions. Occasional travel will be required for this position, during which time the employee will be subjected to various environmental and weather conditions. Work is usually performed during the normal workday however, early morning; late evening and weekend work may be required during periods of critical attendance to meet the peak periods related to position responsibilities and requirements of the Enrollment Services department.

Physical Demands:

Employee is regularly required to sit and stand for long periods of time, speak, hear, use hands and fingers to handle materials and use computer, feel, and reach with hands and arms. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required; less frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required. Specific vision requirements, close-up with the ability to adjust focus.

To Apply:

• Complete online application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three work-related references
• Copies of unofficial transcripts

Note to Candidates:

• Employment is contingent upon successful background check.
• Official transcripts required upon hire.

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Remote Work Eligibility:

Unless otherwise noted, all positions provide vital support to Casper College and require the successful candidate be available to work on location at the Casper College campus.