Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Assistant Director of Operations

Rochester Institute of Technology•Rochester, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Associate Director’s, the Assistant Director of Operations serves in a role where they are responsible for performing diverse and complex functions that require excellent judgement for processing financial aid in compliance with federal and state regulations, institutional policy and in support of university enrollment goals. This position supports the operations related to financial aid administration and are expected to understand high-level compliance requirements and have the ability to execute and deliver divisional and departmental critical work with limited oversight. This position assists RIT in meeting goals through the strategic use of available funds, use of their professional judgment and by providing quality service in response to student, family and institutional needs. The Assistant Director of Operations works closely with colleagues and other administrative and academic departments to ensure consistency in policies, practices, compliance, service to students and in some instances may validate other staff work. They are expected to maintain a thorough working knowledge of and seek to continuously improve the application of technology and regulations in financial aid. They regularly review professional journals and periodicals, actively participate in professional organizations at the state, and regional levels. Exercise professional judgment when making decisions. Understand high-level compliance requirements and provide assurance and leadership on compliance-related needs. Have the ability to execute special department projects independently. Support the goals of Enrollment Management in the recruitment of prospective students and retention of continuing students. Make recommendations to leadership where appropriate. Serve as a representative and advisor to the university community, federal and state agencies, scholarship foundations, high schools, other universities, prospective and continuing students and families as well as internal staff. Must engage in frequent contact with a large cross section of university personnel that may include Admissions, Student Financial Services, Registrar, Disability Services, Housing, Dining, academic departments, etc. Support community efforts to make applying for financial aid accessible. Analyze/evaluate reports, family financial data, special aid program regulations, to determine eligibility and make offers and revisions within federal, state, donor and/or institutional guidelines where applicable. Correspond with students to provide customer service with diplomacy and tact while upholding Institute policies and respecting families’ privacy and confidentiality. Responsible for understanding and applying a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations to be certain aid is offered within eligibility requirements. Responsible for the completion of monthly reconciliation reports internally and for outside organizations, insuring RIT’s compliance with each programs regulations as well as maintaining and updating internal RIT policy, federal and or state regulations when applicable. Responsible for the execution and delivery of divisional and departmental critical work with limited support from leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field
3 years of relevant experience
Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered
Knowledge of financial aid programs, including scholarships, emergency loans, and eligibility requirements
Skill in multi-tasking, project management, prioritization, and organization
Ability to work accurately and efficiently with financial aid technologies and computerized systems to collect, document, synthesize, and process information
Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy, cultural awareness, and confidentiality
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Determination of eligibility, aid administration and required reporting for students enrolled through special programs such as: Say Yes to Education, Rochester City Scholars, Tuition exchange, Foster Youth, NYS TAP and other state programs, etc.
Select recipients, revise financial aid awards as needed to reflect changes in student eligibility due to enrollment in specific programs.
Assist in construction of compliant procedures and training related to administration of New York State satisfactory academic progress (TAPSAP)
Designated RIT Certifying Officer for New York State Grants and Scholarships administered by the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) as well as Certifying Officer for other State Grants awarded to RIT students.
Answer questions, inquiries, or requests from Offices and agencies who partner with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and RIT, verbally or in writing regarding specific financial aid programs and eligibility.
Prepare and present information regarding these programs for campus groups, high school students, and parents at meetings, group discussions.
Calculation of revised aid eligibility and funds to be returned for students who withdraw or take a leave of absence (Return to Title IV calculation) in compliance with federal regulations
Partnership with selected RIT offices on compliance issues related to withdrawal, leave of absence and the processing of Return to Title IV calculation
Ownership of all alternative loan processing including but not limited to: enrollment certifications, adjustments to loan amounts, reconciliation and point person for lender representatives.
Completion of reports to outside organizations, insuring RIT’s compliance with each programs regulations as well as maintaining and updating internal RIT policy when applicable.
Manage compliance of citizenship documentation utilizing federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System for third step verification if conflicting information
Support construction of data tables and text, testing and implementation of financial aid and other required software.
Provide policy and system guidance to leadership internal and external offices, ensure certification system is accurate, and adequately tested as required by the Electronic Financial Aid Network (EFAN) Agreement
Ensure compliance with website presence and Chat bot content
Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations
Evaluate student eligibility, analyze reports, review discrepancies, and process revisions to ensure accurate awarding and disbursement of financial aid
Verifies and analyzes financial data to determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, state, donor and/or institutional guidelines for new, continuing, transfer, and re-entry students
Works across departments to ensure data integrity and proper reporting through RIT systems and software in compliance with federal regulations
Facilitates financial aid workshops, orientations, and outreach/admissions events to educate students and families about financial aid options and responsibilities
Conducts audits to ensure accurate awards, valid supporting document, and compliance with applicable policies, laws, and regulations
Other duties as assigned