Financial Aid Director

NUETA HIDATSA SAHNISH COLLEGE

Position Description
Director of Financial Aid

Revised 09/04/24

Financial Aid Director

Regular, Full-time Non-Exempt

: Student Services DOQ

: Vice President of Student Services

LOCATION: New Town, ND Campus CLOSING DATE: Until filled

SUMMARY OF WORK:

The Financial Aid Office provides individual financial aid assistance for each NHS College-enrolled student. This office coordinates tribal, state, federal and private funding for students during their NHSC experience. It is the mission of our Financial Aid Department to adhere to and follow federal financial aid rules and regulations, staying current with programs, information and updates.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS:

Nature of Work: This position performs professional administrative duties requiring adherence to laws, policy and procedures. Must meet standards of fairness, accuracy, responsiveness, timeliness, and good decision-making. Position requires some travel. Must adhere to standards of confidentiality.

Personal Contacts: Extensive contact with the public including current and prospective students, parents, educational personnel, and funding agency representatives. Position requires extensive coordination with the Director of Admissions, Registrar, Academic Team, and Business Office Staff and Department of Education-Federal Financial Aid personnel.

Supervision Received: Position is mainly self-directed with supervision and support from the Vice President of Student Services, as needed.

Supervision Exercised: Provides daily instruction and supervision to a Financial Aid Assistant

Essential Functions: Position requires ability to: communicate orally and in writing; follow established guidelines, laws, and policies; develop written policies and procedures; calculate; do budgeting; counsel students; determine awards; keep accurate records; use computers for word processing, Excel spreadsheets, tables, charts, and graphs software programs, as needed, financial aid processes, data base management, and electronic filing for student aid. Follow the approved Department of Education’s Heightened Cash Monitoring Second Level (HCM2) checklist to submit student files on the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. Follow-up on files submitted and generate regular reports to keep college administration updated. Manage institutional grant funding funneled through the Financial Aid office and communicate with grant directors as needed. Complete required reporting: American Indian College Fund (AICF), Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Program Participation Agreement (PPA), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Reporting, State Reporting, and all other necessary reports. Work with the business office to ensure that the EZ Audit is accurate and complete.

AREAS OF JOB ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE:

Federal Guidelines and Regulations

Read, study, and know the federal guidelines and regulations, implementing them into daily practice and operating procedures.

Supervision/Communication

Supervise financial aid office staff (Financial Aid Assistant) regarding student aid applications, processing, verifications, packaging, communications, reporting, and record keeping.

Financial Aid Processing

Process the Return to Title IV(R2T4) for early withdrawals. Reconciles student financial aid data provided to the Business Office to ensure all payments have been made, refunds are accounted for, and expenditures reported.

Policies and Procedures

Review/Revise/Update financial aid policies and procedures, including Coast of Attendance, budgets and FASAP criteria, for seamless implementation. Make sure the student handbook, bulletin, website, Facebook Page, and FA Office policies all match.

Reporting and Agreements

Direct contact and communication with federal financial aid officers and officials, regarding administering of financial aid and submission of files for removal from Heightened Cash Management Level 2 (HCM2). File program participation agreements, federal reports, applications for federal funding and surveys.

Monitoring Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP)

Monitor Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress and coordinate program participation agreement efforts, both college-based and between institutions.

Other Duties:

• Comply with all NHSC policies and procedures.
• Participate in departmental and strategic planning.
• Assist the Vice President of Student Services in performing all other duties, as needed and as assigned to support the NHSC Mission and Vision.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: This position requires extensive knowledge of: Federal Title IV Financial Aid Program Regulations, Policies and Procedures; student financial aid programs; BIA/Tribal Higher Education Grant Programs, Tribal 477 Program and other related programs. Extensive knowledge of Title IV, ED Connect, and related electronic processing procedures. Considerable knowledge of Tribal Community Colleges and services; database management and word processing programs.

Skills: This position requires skills in using computers for word processing, database management and electronic processing of student aid requests. Excel to process State Aid. Oral communication skills are important for attending and advocating for the Financial Aid office at Curriculum Meetings, All Staff Meetings, Admin Meetings, and Retention Meetings, as well as presenting for orientation and during Financial Aid Events.

Abilities: This position requires the ability to: manage student financial aid programs in equitable and efficient manner; be reliable; keep accurate and timely records; meet and assist the public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow verbal and written instructions; establish effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, and the public.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum and Preferred Experience

Minimum:

· Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business, Accounting, Finance or a related field with two (2) years of experience and/or training involving federal financial aid operations; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

· Must have thorough understanding of federal and state financial aid

· Must be able to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment under minimal supervision with experience working at a tribal college and/or in a tribal community preferred.

· Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and responsibilities in a fast paced, high-pressure environment, while maintaining composure and discretion

· Ability to think critically and to analyze and interpret data to initiate improvements in workflow and process

· Willingness to work occasional nights or weekends

Preferred:

· Master's degree in Education, Business, Accounting, Finance with two (2) years of experience and/or training involving federal financial aid operations; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Knowledge of the Jenzabar One Financial Aid system or similar student information system
• Demonstrated experience performing federal R2T4 calculations
• Experience in Federal Student Aid (FSA) Partner Connect
• Have thorough understanding of cash management regulations

Required:

· Cannot have defaulted on a student loan.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands: While performing the functions of this position, the employee is required to speak, hear, and see, including close vision at a computer terminal. The employee may be required to stand and set up a college booth and other event materials.

Work Environment: The functions of the position are performed in an office environment and in public settings. The position requires the employee to speak to individuals, as well as, groups and to periodically work outdoors. The position requires some travel within and in close proximity to Fort Berthold. Evening and weekend work are required, at times.

Applications are available on-line at www.nhsc.edu

Please forward completed NHSC application, cover letter, resume, and three (3) reference letters to:

Alisha DeCouteau

Human Resources Director

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

P.O. Box 490 / 301 College Drive

New Town, ND 58763

(701) 627-8090; Fax: (701) 627-3609; adecouteau@nhsc.edu

Applicant may also include a copy of degree of Indian blood if claiming Indian preference, and a DD-214 if claiming Veteran’s preference.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $60,000