Financial Aid Manager, 0080654

University of Hawaii•Various Locations, HI

13d

About The Position

Leeward Community College is hiring a permanent, full-time Financial Aid Manager in Student Services. The position leads and manages the Financial Aid Office (FAO), overseeing federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and services, staff, compliance, operations, and student support. The role oversees full-service financial aid processing, develops and maintains policies and procedures, manages budgets and reporting, and coordinates with college and University of Hawaiʻi partners. The manager also supports student recruitment, retention, and completion through outreach, counseling, and financial aid education. The position is expected to begin approximately 01/27, pending availability of funds and actual staffing requirements.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Education, Business, Communication, Public Administration, Social Science, or a related field, and six years of progressively responsible professional experience administering and/or delivering financial aid; or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience.
Considerable working knowledge of financial aid principles, practices, and techniques, including grants, scholarships, and loans, and of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, theories, and systems associated with financial aid in a collegiate environment.
Demonstrated ability to resolve a wide range of complex problems using creative reasoning and logic to identify causes and determine effective, innovative, and timely resolutions.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and clearly and accurately communicate information and ideas in writing and verbally, including through reports and other materials.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing and spreadsheet software and the Internet.
Demonstrated experience using a student information system to administer financial aid.
For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Extensive experience directing financial aid practices and procedures in a collegiate environment.
Experience working with minority, underrepresented, and/or disadvantaged students.
Progressively responsible experience working in a collegiate student services setting.

Nice To Haves

Considerable working knowledge of creating financial aid processes and procedures in accordance with University of Hawaiʻi policies and regulations.
At least five years of administrative experience in student financial aid programs at a comprehensive community college or university.
Relevant professional experience at a community college.
Demonstrated experience working with the UH Banner System.
Experience in financial aid counseling and program responsibility.
Demonstrated experience using a Financial Aid Management System.
Relevant professional experience in collegiate admissions processing, counseling, and/or cashiering.
Considerable working knowledge of the principles and practices of modern office management.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and supervise the Financial Aid Office and its administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and services.
Direct, supervise, and coordinate staff efforts to promote, market, qualify, monitor, and serve financial aid applicants in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Oversee the full financial aid processing cycle, including document collection and verification, needs analysis, budgeting and awarding, FAFSA verification, loan certification and processing, and academic progress monitoring.
Manage FAO staff, including selection, hiring, training, mentoring, work planning and assignments, performance assessment, rewards and discipline, and complaint resolution.
Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliant financial aid awarding, expense monitoring, and fund utilization; implement new programs and revise existing procedures as regulations change.
Develop, implement, review, and refine online financial aid database management and information retrieval software, ensuring applicant and award data are entered and corrected.
Research and reconcile financial aid accounts and analyze information for accurate and timely required and special financial aid, fiscal, and other reports.
Represent the College in responding to Federal and State auditors, including preparing initial draft responses to audit findings.
Coordinate communication among college divisions, programs, offices, and external parties regarding financial aid availability, assistance, grade verification, and payments.
Ensure students, prospective students, spouses, and parents receive counseling on financial aid planning, loans, unsatisfactory academic progress, and debt management.
Develop outreach strategies for prospective students and families and current students to promote sound financial planning and support academic success.
Develop strategic initiatives that align and maximize the FAO’s contribution to student recruitment, retention, and completion.
Plan the FAO operational budget and Financial Aid Administrative Cost Allowance budget, monitor expenditures, and request additional resources from the Dean of Student Services as needed.
Develop program outcomes, monitor their assessment, create improvement plans based on program review, and collect and analyze data for the Annual Report of Program Data (ARPD).
Coordinate FAO staff efforts with other Student Services departments to provide comprehensive student service.
Develop programming to educate students about alternative financial aid sources, including the Hawaii Community Foundation and other external sources.
Collaborate with financial aid offices at other University of Hawaiʻi institutions to support accurate information and seamless service for students crossing campuses or transferring.
Report regularly to the Dean of Student Services on financial aid staff issues and regulations or initiatives affecting the FAO.
Attend workshops and training to stay current on financial aid regulations.
Ensure College compliance with federal, state, and University student aid regulations and expectations; identify non-compliance and help develop solutions.
Participate in developing, reviewing, or revising UHCC and UH system policies that support compliance or affect campus financial aid offices, and guide campus implementation of those policies.
Participate in campus, UHCC, and UH initiatives supporting student success or addressing operational issues.
Represent the College on committees, task forces, and working groups, providing campus-focused consultation, education, and advocacy.
Prepare and deliver oral and written reports and presentations to various audiences.
Ensure financial aid information is accurately presented on the College website, in its catalog, through chatbots, and in other relevant information sources.
Perform other duties as assigned.