Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Online Programs

Howard University

5d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission. At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Requirements

Knowledge of financial aid legislation and internal and external reporting requirements and ability to objectively evaluate student aid eligibility in accordance with the applicable guidelines.
Experience with software which includes but is not limited to Peoplesoft, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), ELM, FSA portal, NASFAA and Common Origination and Disbursement (COD).
Strong skills in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint).
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to set priorities and manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously.
Competence in both oral and written English.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills with attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and effective work relations with students, staff, faculty, and the public.
Must be comfortable with large institution fast-paced environments.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Outstanding interpersonal abilities and a poised, professional demeanor are essential.
Ability to exercise good judgment in maintaining confidential data.
Critical ability to multi-task, prioritize, and execute.
Confidence to take initiative, ask questions and make recommendations with the end goal of process improvement and customer satisfaction.
Bachelor's Degree Required
5 years of experience in accounting and financial aid or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience in higher education/financial aid environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop financial aid packages for prospective and current students and exercise discretion in the review of confidential information.
Train new counselors on packaging procedures.
Assists with the processing of SAP Appeals.
Provide direction, as needed, to the Systems Management Team and Student Finance regarding correct tuition set-ups.
Manage the financial aid process for all online programs and provide reporting strategies to keep up with the fluid nature of the program.
Develop communication and presentation strategies for financial wellness group debt management sessions.
Oversee the annual loan debt project and generate loan debt reports, by academic program, for data analysis.
Provide thorough counseling to students.
Assist the Executive Director of Financial Aid and Office of Financial Aid Management Team as needed.
Analyze FAFSA (federal) data for graduate students to determine federal aid eligibility under federal methodology, by assisting the Associate Director of Graduate and Professional Programs in implementing and interpreting federal regulations and academic programs' terms of enrollment.
Exercise discretion in determining when it may be appropriate to invoke authority to use professional, independent judgment to deviate from federal methodology, on a case-by-case basis, and when needed, to advise academic programs if institutional funding, in conjunction with federal aid, results is an over-award, or if the institutional funding type is inappropriate for the enrollment status.
Use judgment when to implement and release federal funding holds.
Monitor enrollment during drop/add; adjust aid budgets and financial aid, accordingly, to avoid over-awards.
Manage the financial aid process for online programs; keep pace with program growth and student progression between the full-time and part-time status; provide critical information about student issues and systems/IT problems with the Financial Aid Management team and senior leadership.
Develop/enhance annual/quarterly federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reports for federally mandated SAP reviews, working with the University Office of the Registrar, the Online program Directors/Chairs/Deans or Associate Deans, as needed.
Advise students and academic programs of federal SAP standards and provide non-federal funding options to students if standards are not met.
Work with academic programs to ensure students receive appropriate documented SAP-related academic counseling for future reinstatement of federal aid.
Assist the Director in analyzing a great deal of data and multiple reports so that accurate information is captured when awarding/processing financial aid.
Monitor federal financial aid regulations and assist the Director in developing updates for students and staff to ensure University operations are in compliance with federal regulations.
Work closely with the Systems Team to design, test and troubleshoot system procedures.
Monitor system functions so that federal deadlines are met.
Work with third-party, federal and University data systems (COD, FAA Access, NSLDS) to troubleshoot, analyze federal loan portfolios, complete federal refund/repayment documentation, analyze transaction reports and provide advice about University billing/payment problems to students and staff.
Oversee NSLDS transfer monitoring so mid-year transfer students do not receive duplicate awards.
Conduct webinars, group financial aid orientations, group debt management sessions (for high-debt graduate programs) and individual exit sessions for all graduating graduate/professional students on both campuses.
Works collaboratively with the offices of Financial Aid, Bursar, Registrar, Admissions and Development, the academic colleges and schools, and the Scholarship Committee to select and distribute scholarships and other financial aid.
Accurately and skillfully utilizes Workday, SharePoint, U.S. Department of Education systems and databases/tools to monitor, process and adjust financial aid awards as required.
Assists in the daily operations of the Financial Aid office.
Any additional duties as assigned.
May be required to work evenings and weekends.