Director, Financial Aid

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of the student financial aid process. The Director of Financial Aid is also responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulatory bodies. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the financial aid office. A candidate for the Director of Financial Aid position must demonstrate self-motivation, a high degree of organizational skill, a high level of customer service orientation, and a collaborative spirit to be successful in the fast paced environment associated with being a member of the Division of Student Affairs team. The Director shows a track record of inclusivity in their professional work with a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. The successful candidate must also demonstrate the University’s core values of social justice, intellectual pursuit, and service to humanity through their work.

Responsibilities:

1. Assist prospective and current students with the financial aid process

Counsel students on budgeting, debt management, and loan repayment

1.1. Organize and conduct workshops to educate and empower students about financial aid and related areas

1.2. Evaluate completed financial aid files and award financial aid based on eligibility requirements

2. Oversee the Federal Work Study program

2.1. Ensure compliance with all federal financial aid regulations

2.2. Staying educated and informed about changes in the financial aid industry

2.3. Attend financial aid conferences and trainings

2.4. Provide leadership for the planning, direction, and evaluation of the financial aid process

2.5. Coordinate comprehensive services to students and the campus community

3. Generate reports and statistical analysis of financial aid data for institutional reports

3.1. Work collaboratively with Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, Dean of Students, Institutional Effectives, academic programs, and other pertinent offices

3.2. Identify potential scholarship sources for students

3.3. Assist students on financial aid problems and help resolve issues

3.4. Advise students on completing loan and scholarship applications

3.5. Monitor entrance and exit interviews

4. Ensure compliance with the rules, regulations, and conditions set forth by federal government agencies and private lenders

4.1. Ensure security, confidentiality, and safety of all financial aid records and information

4.2. Act ethically in the best interest of the university community

4.3. Input and maintain databases (Banner, ELM, ED EXPRESS)

5. Conduct financial aid information sessions for potential admits

5.1. Review information on Financial Aid website for accuracy and updates as needed

5.2. Continually evaluate processes and procedures and make recommendations for improvements

5.3. Create Cost of Attendance for each program

5.4. Prepare data and files for audits as needed

5.5. Work collaboratively with main Financial Aid office in New York

5.6. Other duties may be assigned.

6. Oversee the administration of the scholarship program in partnership with Advancement and the Academic Departments.

7. Lead the Office of Financial Aid. Supervise directly or indirectly the Assistant Director, Federal Work Study Coordinator, Student Staff and other personnel.

Qualifications:

Education:

Baccalaureate degree required, Master’s degree preferred

Experience:

Experience using ELM, NSLDS, National Student Loan Clearinghouse, EDE, student information systems, and other pertinent websites and programs.

Knowledge and or experience in using Banner is preferred

Three to five years’ experience in higher education financial aid and/or enrollment management

Skills & Abilities:

Excellent management, leadership, communication and interpersonal skills

Strong commitment to customer service

Collaborative, holistic approach to problem solving

Must be analytic, organized, innovative, detail oriented and able to multi-task

Knowledge and experience using Banner

Experience using ELM, NSLDS, National Student Loan Clearinghouse, EDE, and other pertinent websites and program

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the delivery of high quality service to students, as well as evidence of use of technology in support of financial aid obligations

Demonstrated ability to set priorities, balance competing priorities and accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations

University Director of Financial Aid

Burgess Group

The Burgess Group has been retained by a major New York City University to recruit candidates and nominations for the position of University Director of Financial Aid. As part of the University’s Office of Academic Affairs, reporting to the University Dean for the Executive Office and Enrollment, the University Director of Financial Aid is a senior administrator within the University’s central administration.

The successful candidate will provide overall management and leadership necessary for effective administration of the University’s student financial aid programs, and ensure service to students, families, and other constituents in relation to financial aid matters. He/she will supervise professional and administrative staff.

Areas of responsibility will include, but are not limited to:

Providing overall leadership, evaluation and strategic vision to the University’s Financial Aid Office.
Effectively ensuring ethical and equitable compliance with federal and state financial aid laws and regulations, formulating and overseeing university financial aid policies and procedures.
Serving as liaison with Federal and State regulatory agencies in financial aid matters.
Providing ongoing financial projections and data analysis.
Making recommendations on packaging policies and procedures to meet University enrollment goals.
Enhancing internal and external communication systems to inform students about financial aid policies and procedures.
Supporting the University’s core mission to recruit, retain, and graduate talented and diverse students by applying leading-edge technologies and practices in the development, implementation, and management of effective financial aid and scholarship programs.

Candidates should have at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in a high volume financial aid office with demonstrated success managing financial aid operations at a public or private university. Demonstrated strategic understanding of the integral role of financial aid in growing student enrollment. Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state financial aid programs, policies and procedures. Baccalaureate degree required, advanced degree preferred. Experience in working in an ERP environment. Knowledge of industry-related software and database management as it relates to financial aid. Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and analytical skills. Ability to produce results as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.

Financial Aid Specialist – Scholarships

Hunter College

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid at Hunter College, in addition to the duties listed in the CUNY Title Overview, the Financial Aid Specialist will:

Implement and administer a plan for scholarship awards for entering and continuing undergraduate and graduate students.
Work as a liaison to academic departments, institutional research, and students in scholarship matters; designing a unified approach to all scholarship activities establishing a policy for selecting and tracking students.
Maintain and update the account and scholarship information system and website information.
Assess scholarship needs and opportunities for Hunter students.
Review and reconcile end of year accounts for scholarship portfolio.
Standardize reports with regard to structure and submission across multiple offices including the Foundation and Business offices and implement committed funds report component into the system.
Participate in Scholarships Planning Committee events to continuously improve scholarship distribution to students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree and four years’ related experience required.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in higher education scholarship administration preferred
Accounting or Computer Science education is a plus
Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills
Experience organizing, analyzing and reporting data from multiple sources
Ability to prioritize, conduct analysis, assist in setting strategy, prepare reports and establish and meet goals and milestones
Flexibility to work both independently and as a team member
Attention to detail

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Administers and supervises financial aid programs and operations.

Reviews contracts, disbursements, tuition and fees; validates student eligibility for various programs

Administers, monitors and troubleshoots CUNY financial aid systems as well as Federal and NY State systems in order to ensure integrity of student databases and timely and accurate delivery of funds

Assists CUNY staff, applicants, and students/families with advice on financial aid issues and eligibility

May review and reconcile student payroll processin

Represents the Financial Aid function at Admissions events; works with academic departments as well as Bursar, Registrar, Admissions and Computing offices to assure staff understand and implement financial aid processes correctly

Assists in the development and evaluation of Admissions processes

Prepares documentation, instructions, and materials in various media to support financial aid activities

Performs related duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Advisor

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Reporting to the Financial Aid Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for not only the CUNY Title Overview but also:

Counsel students and families through the financial aid and enrollment process by clarifying process steps and executing effective contact strategies.

Work closely with enrollment and student services to identify and address academic and financial barriers that might hinder student persistence and retention.

Ensure that all processing related to students’ financial aid is completed both accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal and state regulations and CUNY policy.

Participate in development and coordination of improved in-person and online financial aid and enrollment services by leveraging technology.

Work proactively with admissions and enrollment services to support the needs of students and improve operational outcomes such as show rate, persistence, retention and overall student satisfaction.

Assists the Director, and Associate Directors with special projects.

Provides office coverage on evening and weekend rotations.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW:

Counsels applicants and students on eligibility for financial aid programs, assisting them in the application process.

Verifies eligibility for Federal and State financial aid programs including grants, scholarships, and guaranteed student loans Performs application intake, evaluation, processing and awarding Assists in the production of Financial Aid online, print material, and websites Advises students on good academic standing requirements and the appeal process; reviews appeals for dependency overrides and budget adjustments Conducts group workshops and represents the financial aid office at various on- and off- campus events Serves as a liaison between the college office and Direct Loan Providers Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s Degree required.
The qualified applicant will possess:
A minimum of two years relevant experience in a financial aid, admissions or enrollment services environment highly preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to providing quality student service in a diverse, urban college environment.
Knowledge of PeopleSoft/CUNYfirst information system in a higher education or government environment preferred.
Knowledge of best practices in delivery of financial aid and enrollment services preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively with multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proficient in using MS Office Products such as Word, Excel, Access and Power Point.
Knowledge of document imaging solutions, online forms, and office workflow

Financial Aid Counselor

Touro College

Meets with and counsels students, parents, and others to explain and discuss the details of the financial aid application and awarding processes, the laws and regulations governing the eligibility for and availability of federal, state, institutional and other relevant programs

Job Duties

Utilizes federal, state and internal software to process financial aid
Determines eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other aid programs in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and other governing criteria

Formulates, produces and distributes financial aid award notifications and ensures that the financial aid that has been awarded is appropriately disbursed and credited to the students’ accounts

Develops and gathers appropriate materials, organizes and helps present student financial aid orientation programs, exit counseling, entrance interviews for students and their parents

Assists other coworkers as needed in any function encompassed in the job description of the FAA

Works with interdepartmental personnel to resolve students issues

Attends workshops, seminars and webinars for professional development

Utilizes federal and state webinars to remain current with new regulations.

Attends conferences and training as approved and required

Required Qualifications

Education:

High School diploma

Skills:

Strong customer service and organizational skills
Must be able to multi-task and prioritize work
Self-starter

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors degree preferred
Minimum one (1) years financial aid experience

Computer Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook

Travel

Locally as needed for staff coverage
Touro system-wide as assigned
Nationally as assigned

Physical Demands

Sitting for extended periods of time
Standing for extended periods of time
Lifting a minimum of five pounds

FINANCIAL AID OFFICER

Columbia University

Reporting to the Executive Director of Financial Aid, the incumbent assists in administering the financial aid programs of the Law School and has primary responsibility for the management of email communications and providing financial aid counseling to students, as well as support for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) and student award packaging. The incumbent is also expected to cultivate positive working relationships with deans, faculty, administrators, staff, students, alumni/ae, central administrators at Columbia and at other academic institutions, lending institutions, and with members of peer institutions. Reviews application materials for institutional grants and loans in accordance with Law School policy and standard methodology and generates financial aid award letters. Administers fedeal and various other loan programs for law students. Provides assistance in maintaining computer systems required to support electronic loan processing with the central University’s SFS Operations and Loan teams. Coordinates the entrance and exit interview processes for all loan programs. Generates reports for the financial aid systems, including PowerFAIDS, SIS, and Desktop reporting; the preparation of student consortium agreements with external educational institutions; stipend requests from within the Law School, as well as from other University divisions and external sources; maintaining the external sources of funding data for law students; the processing of institutional grant and loan awards for Graduate Legal Studies students; managing the awarding of the Law School’s Federal Work-Study Program for the public interest and human rights internship summer programs; stewardship assignments of restricted scholarship and other financial aid funds. Performs various other duties and projects as assigned.Minimum

Qualifications for Grade
Applicant MUST meet these minimum qualifications to be considered an applicantBachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of experience and education. A minimum of two years of relevant experience (preferably financial aid experience in a university setting, or a background in related counseling and office experience) required. Knowledge of management information systems and computer software required; knowledge of PowerFAIDS preferred. Understanding of financial aid need analysis and federal regulations that govern the management and delivery of financial aid funds required. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, math aptitude, and an ability to work collaboratively as part of an administrative team required.