POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Executive Vice President and is primarily responsible for the overall operation of all Financial Aid programs (institutional, state, and federal). The Director of Financial Aid provides leadership direction and coordination by providing oversight of the daily core operations for financial aid and management of the Office of Financial Aid. This role is responsible for developing a comprehensive vision and strategy for financial aid operations. This position monitors federal and state regulatory environments and identifies any resulting changes that may impact on the office workflow to generate financial aid packages. The position serves as the Title IV Compliance Officer for the University. The Director will provide leadership, creating an environment of consistency, accuracy, and excellent customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads the financial aid team to accomplish University mission to provide personalized, accurate and timely service; and to remain in compliance with the awarding of financial aid. Leads with integrity, positivity and professionalism.
• Manage, hire, train, supervise and evaluate Office of Financial Aid staff to develop enthusiastic and highly competent professional performance levels. Determines work priorities, trains, delegates tasks, and evaluates work efforts.
• Communicates and works collaboratively with leadership, other departments, faculty and staff to accomplish retention and recruitment goals and objectives of financial aid and the University.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations that pertain to financial aid programs, such as the Higher Education Act and Federal Student Aid and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and compliance with MACU’s confidential and proprietary information policy.
• Provides accurate and timely financial aid applications and reports to federal and state agencies, including but not limited to Program Participation Agreement (PPA), Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Provides accurate and timely reports for internal controls, strategic decision-making and audits.
• Think creatively and work in a team to increase enrollment and retention.
• Designs, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of financial aid communications.
• Develops, implements, and revises policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all Federal and State laws and regulations. Responsible for the development and implementation of college polices as they relate to financial and institutional aid.
• Ensures accurate and timely updates to the PowerFAIDS software and the Jenzabar financial aid module in collaboration with IT as needed.
• Serves on MACU’s compliance, planning and policy-making committees, as assigned.
• Develops and manages the annual financial aid department budget.
• Coordinate the annual reconciliation of federal, state and institutional programs.
• Maintains a high level of professional competence in best practices in financial aid, program assessment, operational budgeting and a working knowledge of the college software system.
• Coordinate enrollment reports with the Registrar's Office to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse (NSLC) and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
• Directs all aspects of the financial aid program, including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, student loans, and the work study opportunities in compliance with federal and state laws and in accordance with university policies.
• Coordinate with Bursar’s Office to ensure proper cash management procedures, including timely disbursement of funds.
• Ensure all financial aid and verification documents are received and properly processed.
• Supervises and monitors the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) process for financial aid students, ensuring that review and notification to students is done based on the established College policy and schedule, and Federal Financial Aid Regulations.
• Develop procedures to enhance collaboration and communication with Admissions, Enrollment, Registrar and Academic Affairs to promote effective enrollment management within the University.
• Administer the budget and reporting for the Federal Work Study (FWS) program and coordinate with the Coordinator of Student Employment on all aspects of student employment.
• Administers, controls, and coordinates federal, state and institutional financial aid funds from numerous individual programs. Ensures compliance with all laws and regulations through accurate reporting and auditing and re