Director of Financial Aid

Vance Granville Community College•Henderson, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is seeking a strategic and student-centered leader to serve as Director of Financial Aid. This key position provides leadership and oversight for all financial aid operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while delivering high-quality service to students. The Director plays a critical role in advancing student access and success by developing effective processes, supporting a collaborative team environment, and promoting equitable access to financial resources that help students achieve their educational goals. The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President, Instruction and Student Services. This position is eligible for teleworking one day per week following a training period and demonstrated ability to work independently to be determined by the Vice President.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in business, public administration, accounting, education or related field.
Five years of professional experience in higher education financial aid.
Five years of experience supervising a team of financial aid staff.
New hires who do not already live within this distance must establish and maintain a primary residence within a one-hour drive of the Henderson Campus within 90 days of their start date.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with executive and mid-level leaders as well as with faculty and staff.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Demonstrated excellence in providing quality customer service.
Ability to work under continual deadlines requiring great attention to detail while managing competing responsibilities.
Must be able to travel throughout the College’s service area as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business, public administration, accounting, education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of three years of experience working with Colleague, the student information system used by the North Carolina Community College System.
Minimum of three years of experience working in a North Carolina Community College.
Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
Minimum of five years of recent professional experience in higher education financial aid including demonstrated expertise in financial aid programs and regulations.

Responsibilities

Administers, leads, implements, plans, and evaluates all operations and activities within the Financial Aid Office.
Interprets federal (Department of Education (ED), Veterans Administration (VA)), state policies and institutional policies regarding student financial aid programs and ensures compliance with all.
Administers the disbursement and reconciliation of federal, VA, state, continuing education, and institutional aid programs including requesting and returning funds to ED and various state entities.
Completes federal, state, VA, and institutional reporting requirements.
Implements and maintains electronic communication with ED, VA and other agencies as needed, including submitting and receiving aid applications, corrections, payment data, and other records.
Maintains a system to ensure confidentiality and storage of student records according to federal, state and institutional guidelines.
Initiates and performs the annual setup of Colleague (software by Ellucian) for financial aid processing and prepares annual financial aid forms.
Develops, maintains and updates financial aid consumer information for the College.
Develops and maintains the Financial Aid Procedures Manual.
Compiles statistical data and reports to evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency of financial aid programs and to generate program changes or additions.
Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff.
Works collaboratively with other departments on campus, especially the Business Office, Registrar’s Office, Admissions Office, Call Center, Academic Advising, Continuing Education, and the VGCC Foundation to evaluate processes, communicate needs, and ensure quality service to students.
Establishes an annual financial aid processing and disbursement calendar.
Ensures consistency in communication.
Ensures knowledge of financial aid regulations remains current and accurate.
Interprets policies and procedures.
Coordinates financial aid events and attends other events as requested by college departments, area high schools, prospective/current students, and the community.
Counsels students on the financial aid processes, requirements, and issues ensuring quality service to students, families, and other constituents.
Attends professional development activities to stay abreast of federal and state regulations.
Ensures Financial Aid staff actively participate in professional development activities.
Engages the Financial Aid office in strategic planning and submits related materials.
Submits budget recommendations and administers the budget appropriation assigned to the Financial Aid Office.
Performs other duties as assigned by Vice President, Instruction and Student Services.