Financial Aid Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Manager performs complex analytical management of the financial aid program related to organizational structure, financial aid compliance with Federal, State and Institutional rules and regulations and provides support on administrative issues, program/system planning while ensuring those that advise and council on financial aid matters are kept informed and comply with all policies and regulations. Adhering to effective and efficient processing that complies with the Department of Education’s standards while providing information to Student Services Administration to support decision making, policy recommendations and administrative improvements related to financial aid.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interpret federal and state laws and regulations to maintain and ensure that the College's policies and procedures reflect best practices for all encompassing aspects of financial aid including but not limited to packaging, oversight of the verification processes, Title IV eligibility programs, SAP, etc.
• Remains current with all financial aid policies and emerging trends to be able to provide educational workshops, training and counseling to proactively mitigate the lack of understanding of current financial aid regulations for all staff.
• Participates in membership of professional organizations and collaborates with state, regional and national organizations.
• Identifies, performs, and coordinates efforts and oversight to review and complete students whose FAFSA applications are selected for verification, rejects, c-flags and conflict resolution.
• Assists with Campus Based Programs such as but not limited to FSEOG and Federal Work Study with regards to ensuring regulatory requirements and fund management expenditures are met.
• Monitors and works with the Assistant Director – Student Financial Planning in regulatory and administrative requirements for various Title IV federal student aid programs including but not limited to SAP, identifies regulatory changes, and briefs department administration on recently adopted regulations and/or changes.
• Collaborates with department administration to create and coordinate an internal policies and procedures manual for each function within the Financial Aid Department, updates, and communicates changes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Works with department administration to ensure the Ellucian Colleague system is configured in a manner that is compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations, conducts audits of data and systems to ensure integrity, and serves as the central contact for system maintenance, trouble-shooting technology and operational issues related to the financial aid modules within Colleague and any auxiliary systems.
• Coordinates with department administration to establish, monitor and review controls to ensure adherence by staff to federal regulations with respect to Title IV federal student aid and state regulations regarding state financial aid programs.
• Assists in the coordination of all federal, state and institutional compliant content regarding its relevance, usefulness, and accuracy in all communication including but not limited to Ellucian Colleague, print, and any electronic formats. This includes but is not limited to overall compliance with federal consumer protection and disclosure requirements, partners with Registrar (FERPA), etc.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in financial aid, compliance of federal student aid programs, or other related area.

Experience:

• Three to five (3-5) years’ working experience in financial aid and/or compliance with regulatory knowledge.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements.
• Prior experience in training of staff.
• Experience advising and counseling students and families in student financial areas.
• Familiarity with NYS Financial Aid.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations.
• Ellucian Colleague or other similar system such as Banner.
• Must be organized, detail oriented, able to multi-task and work independently.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills required.
• Commitment to student service.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Regular work requires a great deal of sitting and standing for extended periods.
• Regular work requires the use of a computer, sometimes in excess of eight (8) hours per day.
• Able to travel periodically due to business needs.