| Position Title: |
Director of Financial Aid |
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| Location: |
Big Rapids (Main Campus) |
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| Department: |
61300 - Financial Aid
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| Advertised Salary: |
$75,000-$80,000 salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements. Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). |
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| FLSA: |
Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Continuing |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
At Will |
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| Summary of Position: |
Provide leadership in day-to-day financial aid functions, focusing on electronic processes used in awarding and disbursing federal, state and institutional aid. The Director is responsible for effective administration of federal, state and institutional programs, including monitoring of awards, and reconciliation. Responsibilities include assistance in daily operations, planning and assessment, data analysis, and public speaking. The Director will possess expert knowledge of financial aid policy, processes, and procedures and provide financial aid counseling to a diverse population of constituents regarding the application process, aid eligibility, and available financial options. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. |
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| Required Work Experience: |
Five years of financial aid work with supervisory experience. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
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| Physical Demands: |
- Office Environment
- Moving
- Reaching
- Siting
- Twisting
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
Master’s Degree.
Banner experience preferred.
Ideal candidate will be well versed in federal and state aid regulations and also with the set-up and maintenance of a relational financial aid management system. |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
Determination of financial aid budgets and award philosophy
Prepare Institutional fund forecasting
Responsible for Fiscal Operations Reporting (FISAP) and Auditor requests
Return of Title IV funds processing and student withdrawal process
Primary DPA – Data Point Administrator for FSA access and data security
Manage departmental re-organization during staffing changes and shortages
Work closely with financial aid leveraging team to coordinate student outreach and develop fund management philosophies.
Serve on FAO leadership team and enrollment management team and consult on institutional aid program eligibility, making recommendations toward achieving desired student enrollment goals.
Regulatory/compliance determinations and policy development
Serve as a key member of the office working with the Assistant Director and Associate Dean of Enrollment Services to create, maintain, and improve electronic processes used to award and disburse federal, state and institutional aid.
Translate complex financial aid regulations to a diverse constituency, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members. Providing professional guidance on all matters of financial aid, determining financial need and student eligibility for the issuance of all forms of aid, including (but not limited to) scholarships, grants, loans, work study and more.
Represent Financial Aid at internal and external events.
Contribute to short- and long-term planning that anticipates upcoming office needs and regulatory changes and ensures effective and efficient utilization of electronic resources.
Lead yearly implementation of financial aid leveraging plan.
Write Banner population selections for financial aid projects.
Interact with and maintain effective relationships with various university departments as well as various financial aid agencies and organizations.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and information in accordance with FERPA
Maintain sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment.
Work closely with the Associate Dean and Assistant Director to complete projects and other responsibilities assigned.
Maintain statistical data for use in federal, state and institutional reports.
Complete Federal and State reporting requirements, and other internal and external data requests as needed.
Serve as Banner system manager; direct processing through banner systems for all financial aid programs.
Work with IT staff to ensure that all system updates and processes are tested, fully functioning and updated
Create and monitor financial aid processes, system jobs and reports, scheduling daily, weekly, monthly or ad hoc processing.
Responsible for the supervision and training of assigned staff within the area of responsibility.
Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information.
Actively seek out and engage in training and professional development opportunities designed to maintain in-depth familiarity and understanding of the FSA handbook. Leverage NASFAA membership and its available resources to remain familiar with current and future regulatory changes, trends, and best practices and disseminate information to office staff through effective communication and training.
Train, direct and/or supervise work of others and make recommendations for professional development opportunities for staff.
Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Support, promote, and develop University student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Perform any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
May be required to work some evenings and/or weekends.
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| Skills and Abilities: |
Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to a wide variety of financial situations.
High level of comfort working with technical systems and software applications to investigate, troubleshoot and resolve technical discrepancies in the issuance and distribution of aid.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to convey an appropriate amount of information to a diverse constituency of students, faculty, staff, executive leadership, and community members in a professional manner.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and departments across the institution as well as external contracts.
Coordinate material resources effectively and efficiently.
Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and meet deadlines.
Perform job functions utilizing a variety of technological resources.
Perform various mathematical computations with accuracy.
Possess and maintain current, thorough knowledge of all aspects of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and operations.
Demonstrated commitment, experience and understanding for diversity, equity and inclusion. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript. |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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July 29, 2024 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
Yes |
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Posting Close Date:
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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