Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, this position is responsible for directing and managing all aspects of state, federal, and institutional financial aid programs in accordance with both statutory regulations and institutional policies. The Office of Financial Aid has significant impact on the image, recruitment, and retention imperatives of the University. As such, the Director possesses an in-depth knowledge of higher education and extensive understanding of the strategic importance the role financial aid plays in enrollment management. The director is an expert on state and national financial aid programs, policies, and Issues.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Directs the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs including loans, grants, scholarships, and federal work-study.
- Researches, analyzes, and interprets state and federal financial aid regulations; establishes departmental policies and procedures to ensure both continued compliance with regulations and the provision of exceptional customer service to a diverse population of university students and their families.
- Researches, reviews, implements and maintains third party federal and state financial aid application and processing software such as the electronic Student Aid Report and the submission and retrieval of applicant data and eligibility status.
- Researches, reviews, implements and maintains Student Loan processing programs.
- Researches, reviews, implements and maintains federal employment programs including institutional policies, listing of work-study opportunities on and off campus, institutional eligibility for funding and the reconciliation of data with Payroll and Business Offices.
- Promotes the availability of financial aid funds and scholarships to current and prospective Kutztown University students, calculating their aggregate financial needs and communicating the projected needs to appropriate internal and external groups. Creates, analyzes and monitors student hold flags as they relate to awarding and disbursing financial aid funds.
- Performs periodic and end of year reports and reconciliations.
- Administers the financial aid academic review and appeals process.
- Collaborates with management staff within the Bursar’s Office to ensure timely disbursement of financial aid funds and timely receipt of student receivables; coordinates activities that effect both departments, including federal and state refund policies, student bill extension process, any voucher process, and cancellation of unclaimed awards which involve the reallocation of funds to other students or returning funds within a specified deadline to appropriate fiscal authorities.
- Manages effective communication (written, electronic, face-to-face. telephone, signage, etc.) with students, parents, faculty, staff, aid programs, and the general public to create an atmosphere open to meeting the reasonable expectations of the aforementioned and ensuring high quality services.
- Prepares and analyzes correspondence, reports, and audits for state, federal, and third-party agencies, including PHEAA, OSF A compliance audit, ASA, Inc. audit/program review, US Department of Education FISAP report, RFMS reporting for the Federal Pell Grant program, Federal TRIO program report and other reports as requested.
- Communicates financial aid eligibility and award decisions to students and their families and work with them to resolve outstanding eligibility issues.
- Provides information to external auditors.
- Defines criteria, analyzes data, and designs end user queries and reports to assist in management of financial aid operations; provides summary data to superiors.
- Trains various college departments on the use of the Financial Aid System and on-line resources.
- Provides financial aid information sessions and eligibility workshops for community agencies, school systems and other organizations within our service region.
- Works collaboratively with University Relations to develop and produce appropriate financial aid literature for both potential and currently enrolled students
- Establishes procedures and ensures institutional compliance with federal, state, NCAA, and institutional financial aid policies, procedures and regulatory guidelines/requirements.
- Supervises the timely updates and completion of the office Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Manual.
- Ensure office and staff compliance with the NASF AA Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals as well as with the Pennsylvania Board of Higher Education Code of Conduct Student Loan Programs.
- Creates and implements annual financial aid packaging policies for multiple student cohorts.
- Researches student population and funding trends in the creation of the financial aid packaging policies to ensure maximum benefits to all students and that polices are being followed.
- Coordinates and monitors the awarding of financial aid to all intercollegiate athletes to insure integrity with federal and NCAA Division II financial aid guidelines. Also, serve as chair of the Athletics Appeals Committee that adjudicates student appeals and/or grievances under NCAA bylaws.
- Manages the administrative, fiscal, human resource, planning, and operational functions of the Financial Aid Office.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Kutztown University’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include participating in the search process for hiring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Responsible for insuring that staff has the in-depth knowledge of financial aid regulations and policies required to perform their duties.
- Provides leadership for the integration of administrative systems into financial aid processing both locally and system-wide with federal programs (PHEAA, Commonline, loan agencies, federal government agencies, etc). Serve as an expert resource to other university and system-wide implementation groups.
- Provides leadership for the short and long-range program planning, development, and assessment efforts of the Financial Aid Office consistent with the University’s and the division of Academic Affairs.
- Manages the annual operating departmental budget insuring cost control and cost effectiveness.
- Active member of the Enrollment Management team and represent such at other events on financial aid matters.
- Advises the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs as necessary to ensure institutional compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements.
- Collaborates with Enrollment Management team in designing and coordinating procedures and policies to optimize student enrollment at the university.
- Advises academic departments and faculty on programmatic and student financial aid eligibility issues.
- Collaborates with other departments in the planning and implementation of Financial Planning Workshops.
- Serves on the Scholarship Committee and assists with coordinating activities such as arrange meetings, the selection of recipients and reviewing other policies that affect the awarding of academic scholarships with the objective of accomplishing institutional goals.
- Serves on various KU Committees.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSILITIES:
- Promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
- Participates in discussion with PASSHE Directors of Financial and other such colleagues and institutes of higher education within the region.
- Maintains current knowledge of trends and practices in the field through peer association, attendance at seminars, study and review of literature.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 5 years of experience in a Financial Aid Office; preferably in a leadership role.
- Comprehensive understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations.
- Leadership, planning, managerial, supervisory, and organizational skills.
- Ability to form strong coalitions with internal and external constituencies.
- Extensive computer experience involving highly integrated computing systems.
- Ability to resolve problems and to develop relevant alternatives and recommendations. Financial management and strong analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and to be detail oriented.
- Ability to recognize departmental priorities and work cooperatively to support their accomplishment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to establish positive public relations for the university and to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and experience working with diverse populations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree preferred
- Experience working in a union environment.
Supplemental Information
All applications for this position must be submitted via our online application/resume system. Please do not fax, mail, or email any documentation.
Position closes 2/12/25
Apply here: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kutztownedu/
