Director of Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs

Shawnee Community College, IL•Ullin, IL

72d

About The Position

The Director of Financial Aid & Veteran's Affairs is primarily responsible for the direction of all financial aid and veteran activities to assure compliance with the Department of Education and Department of Veteran Affairs regulations governing federal, state, and local programs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business, Public Administration, or a related field
Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, including supervisory experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, compliance requirements, and ERP systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid and veteran benefit programs, regulations, and reporting requirements.
Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and ensure institutional compliance with all applicable laws and guidelines.
Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to mentor staff, lead effective teams, and manage office operations efficiently.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for advising students and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Proficiency in student information systems (e.g., ERP), Microsoft Office Suite, and financial aid-specific software and databases.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills for evaluating student eligibility, processing appeals, and completing regulatory reports.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Skilled in public speaking and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
Commitment to student service, equity, and fostering a supportive educational environment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage all financial aid programs (Pell, FSEOG, FWS, IWS, MAP, IVG, ING, internal scholarships, private loans, etc.) in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Develop, implement, and revise policies and procedures to ensure adherence to applicable laws and college policies related to financial aid and scholarships.
Complete required federal, state, and institutional reporting (e.g., FISAP, veterans surveys).
Ensure accurate disclosure and reporting of gainful employment programs via the Department of Education and NSLDS.
Maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations; attend trainings, conferences, and webinars as needed.
Counsel students and parents on financial aid options, eligibility, academic progress, and application procedures.
Ensure student access to all required consumer information related to financial aid and veteran benefits.
Administer the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV Funds processes, including appeals.
Review and decide on professional judgments and dependency overrides for students with special circumstances.
Supervise financial aid staff and student workers; provide training to maintain knowledge of ERP systems and regulatory updates.
Lead team meetings, foster communication, promote service improvements, and encourage collaboration.
Facilitate cross-departmental communication to enhance the student experience and support recruitment and retention efforts.
Work closely with the Business Office to ensure accurate ERP data exchange and timely reconciliation of financial aid funds.
Collaborate with the Scholarship Committee and SAINTS Foundation to administer scholarship awards effectively.
Provide training and informational materials to college staff regarding financial aid procedures.
Develop and conduct financial aid presentations for events such as New Student Orientation, high school visits, and community workshops.
Design and maintain financial aid-related publications, including website content, college catalog information, and scholarship booklets.
Serve as the college's veterans certifying official, providing guidance on education benefits and submitting certifications for new and continuing students.