Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid

Palm Beach Atlantic University•West Palm Beach, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

In support of the university’s mission and objectives, the Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid supports and partners with the Financial Aid Director in various capacities of financial aid administration, research, and providing leadership to financial aid staff and student workers. This position handles financial aid verification, managing current student packaging, communication with internal and external stakeholders, and provides oversight for various programs including Federal Work Study, Tuition Exchange, and Athletic Compliance. Processing of Financial Aid Oversees the timely packaging of current students’ financial aid packages, ensuring adherence to packaging parameters. Equips, trains, and leads a high-functioning Financial Aid team, encouraging personal and professional growth. Communicates with the Financial Aid team on progress toward defined goals and/or required results. Manages the implementation of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, including all communication with supervisors and monthly reconciliation with the Business Office. Assists in preparation of the annual FISAP. Determines student eligibility for various financial aid programs. Performs aid adjustments to ensure accurate and timely financial aid awarding. Coordinates the Tuition Benefit program for faculty and staff. Ensures staff are properly trained and routinely monitored to ensure accuracy and compliance with institutional and external guidelines. Assists Director with annual financial aid audit and the preparation and submission of required reports to federal, state, and institutional authorities. Analyze data and trends to make informed decisions regarding financial aid strategies. Data Management Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. Monitors and manages the financial aid database and related software systems. Manages the verification process and resolves any discrepancies. through communication with students, families, and external agencies. Monitors all processes for all student employment programs. Maintains accurate and confidential financial aid records. Generates reports for internal and external stakeholders. Identifies and recommends process improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery. Participates in the assessment and improvement of financial aid policies and procedures to ensure data integrity. Regularly reads professional publications, articles, and handbooks in support of the continuous improvement of the staff and department in processing and disbursing aid. Collaboration & Communication Coordinates with other departments in Enrollment Management to ensure effective and efficient services are provided to enroll and retain students. Represents the department on committees or in meetings, as assigned. Provides appropriate and accurate information, through various channels, to all prospective and continuing students and/or parents regarding educational costs, availability of financial aid resources, program eligibility, and the financial aid application process. Respond to inquiries from students, parents, and external organizations in a timely and professional manner. Addresses and resolves complex financial aid issues and appeals. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Mathematics Education, or a related field, required.
3+ years of professional experience in higher education financial aid required.
Customer Service Orientation – Keeps internal and/or external key stakeholder(s), students, parents, faculty, staff and community partners in mind at all times.
Professionalism – Displays a high level of professionalism, e.g. timeliness, reliability, communication, and work ethic.
Christ-first Faith – Provides spiritual support to community members, including students, on their Christian faith journey.
Analytical Thinking & Decision Making – Identifies and understands trends and/or issues, connects data points through analysis and logical conclusions/actionable strategies.
Attention to Detail – Ability to efficiently and accurately focus on a specific task or number of tasks. Reviews details with a critical eye.
Business & Financial/Budget Acumen – Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of financial concepts, accounting, marketing and organizational functions.
Confidentiality – Maintains the necessary confidentiality and discretion required for the position.
Develops Others – Ability to promote continuous improvement within teams and/or individuals.
Effective Communication – Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated messaging across a wide variety of audiences.
Establishes Trust – Gains the confidence of others by actions and words that promote being honest, forthcoming, and vulnerable.
Leadership/Influence – Ability to motivate, coach and develop others, as well as influence a group of people to achieve common goals, and implement university strategies. Strong supervisory skills.
Problem-solving – Anticipates, evaluates, diagnoses, and resolves problems in a systematic and fact-based manner.
Project and Time Management – Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
Teamwork & Collaboration – Creates a climate that fosters commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote cooperation and working together through trust and support of others both departmentally and cross-functionally.
Ability to work non-routine hours during certain times of the year.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Communications, Education (or minor in Education), or a related discipline, preferred.
Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) credential, preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees the timely packaging of current students’ financial aid packages, ensuring adherence to packaging parameters.
Equips, trains, and leads a high-functioning Financial Aid team, encouraging personal and professional growth.
Communicates with the Financial Aid team on progress toward defined goals and/or required results.
Manages the implementation of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, including all communication with supervisors and monthly reconciliation with the Business Office.
Assists in preparation of the annual FISAP.
Determines student eligibility for various financial aid programs.
Performs aid adjustments to ensure accurate and timely financial aid awarding.
Coordinates the Tuition Benefit program for faculty and staff.
Ensures staff are properly trained and routinely monitored to ensure accuracy and compliance with institutional and external guidelines.
Assists Director with annual financial aid audit and the preparation and submission of required reports to federal, state, and institutional authorities.
Analyze data and trends to make informed decisions regarding financial aid strategies.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Monitors and manages the financial aid database and related software systems.
Manages the verification process and resolves any discrepancies. through communication with students, families, and external agencies.
Monitors all processes for all student employment programs.
Maintains accurate and confidential financial aid records.
Generates reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Identifies and recommends process improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
Participates in the assessment and improvement of financial aid policies and procedures to ensure data integrity.
Regularly reads professional publications, articles, and handbooks in support of the continuous improvement of the staff and department in processing and disbursing aid.
Coordinates with other departments in Enrollment Management to ensure effective and efficient services are provided to enroll and retain students.
Represents the department on committees or in meetings, as assigned.
Provides appropriate and accurate information, through various channels, to all prospective and continuing students and/or parents regarding educational costs, availability of financial aid resources, program eligibility, and the financial aid application process.
Respond to inquiries from students, parents, and external organizations in a timely and professional manner.
Addresses and resolves complex financial aid issues and appeals.
Other duties as assigned.