Student Services Manager - Financial Aid

Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Financial Aid Director, this position is responsible for assisting in the administration of all federal, state, and college student financial aid programs, providing leadership in financial aid operations and advising financial aid staff, coordinating the student work study program and providing service to all financial aid applicants and recipients. This position will assist with strategic and operational day-to-day activities relative to financial aid processing operations, the operation of the Financial Aid Office; personnel, maintenance, computers, supplies, etc. as related to the goals and objectives of the financial aid department as a whole. This position collaborates with the Director of Financial Aid to develop, implement and maintain internal controls and procedures across all campuses.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Develop working relationships with internal and external partners, as well as various college departments, staff and faculty ensuring they are provided with the financial aid support needed.
• Process Pell and loan originations through PowerFAIDS and send them through ED Connect to Department of Education. I receive files back once Pell and loans have been originated and work any rejected files.
• Process disbursements through PowerFAIDS in order to send money to the business office through Jenzabar, our school information system. Once sent to business office, I prepare a list of students to be sent to the Department of Education through ED Connect.
• Completes Loan Exit Counseling for two different processes; Compliance Coordinator will supply me with a weekly list of students who need to complete exit counseling and be placed on hold. At the end of each semester the Graduation Coordinator will supply a list of graduates who need to be evaluated. Determine who received a student loan and who will need to complete exit counseling and be placed on hold. I also prepare a packet of exit counseling documents that is mailed to students who need to complete exit counseling.
• Review selection sets of students who are close to their loan limits. If the lifetime totals amount in PowerFAIDS do not match National Student Loan Data System calculate and add the difference to PowerFAIDS. From there I am able to award the student based on their remaining eligibility.
• Coordinate and plan information used for annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) night presentations to area High Schools.
• Serves as a secondary key liaison to university administrative, academic, and division offices regarding financial aid operations and administration and will represent the office throughout campus and at external events. As well as provide vision, leadership and management to the financial aid team especially in the absence of the financial aid Director
• Determines the types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state and institutional requirements. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards.
• Prepares, corrects, and submits quarterly and yearly federal and state reports in order to be compliant with the Department of Education and Texas Coordinating Board.
• Perform functions relative to developing, allocating and monitoring budgets with state and institutional financial aid programs, developing and overseeing and participating in new internal and external initiatives and special projects. As well as, recommending process changes/improvements based on federal regulations, guidelines and professional literature.
• Other duties as assigned. Responsibilities and Duties may change based on the needs of the department and the institution.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Required Experience:

• Four years (4) experience Financial Aid Knowledge required.
• Four years (4) extensive customer service experience in various settings required.Can operate a personal computer and knowledge of various operating systems
• Five (5) years experience in administrative management, student support services, or related field preferred

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of U.S. Department of Education Federal Financial Aid Title IV Programs, Rules & Regulations
• Working knowledge of IRS tax forms, rules & regulations and the implications of these regulations have on financial aid.
• Working knowledge of State Financial Aid Rules & Regulations
• Personnel management skills, including interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, evaluating, and other skills necessary to manage staff.
• Ability to develop training materials and present effective training workshops to staff.
• Analytical Reasoning, ability to research regulatory information and resolve complex financial aid questions.
• Skill in computing complex mathematical formulas, calculate financial aid awards, student billing statements.
• Accountability and Professionalism, ability to defuse difficult, angry and/or emotional situations with students, parents, and other customers, both internal and external.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a significant caseload
• Cognitive Flexibility, ability to interpret and explain regulatory information related to the financial aid process.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment, computer and multiple supporting software programs

Subject to criminal background check. Resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts is required in addition to application. Salary is $56,999. Based on the Gainesville Campus.