Director of Financial Aid

Position: Director of Financial Aid

Status: Full-Time, Exempt, Staff

Department: Financial Aid

Reports to: Executive VP Advancement & Enrollment

Salary: $95,000-$115,000 Annual Salary

College Background

Paul Smith’s College is a private, four-year institution with approximately 750 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Known as the “College of the Adirondacks,” we are the only baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution located within the six-million-acre, world-famous, “forever-wild” Adirondacks in New York’s North Country.

Built on the site of the Adirondacks’ first wilderness resort, Paul Smith’s Hotel, the college is a haven for those who thrive on adventure. We are renowned for our exceptionally hands-on academics, inclusive community, spectacular location, and significant impact on the world around us.

Position Description

Paul Smith’s College is accepting applications for the Director of Financial Aid. Campus housing is available. Start date is flexible dependent on candidate availability.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct and manage student financial aid and scholarship programs.
• Manage financial aid office to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and to help meet enrollment goals.
• Administration of the federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs with federal regulations
• Administration of financial aid operations.
• Responsible for staying current on Federal Title IV and NYS TAP regulations and for serving as institutional liaison with the U.S. Department of Education on federal Title IV and NYS TAP regulatory issues.
• Implement a proactive approach to ensuring students have the financial assistance needed for degree completion.
• Work collaboratively with Student Financial Services and Enrollment Management team and staff.
• Represent the College in federal, state, and institutional program reviews and audits.
• Prepare and submit reports as required and coordinate activities as appropriate with other campus offices.
• Monitor record of federal, state, and institutional fund balances and reconcile funds with finance on a monthly basis.
• Assist in review and revision of policies and procedures, as appropriate.
• Screen applications for financial aid.
• Interpret federal, state, and institutional eligibility criteria for prospective and enrolled students and their families.
• Review the satisfactory academic progress of financial aid recipients.
• Provide financial aid workshops for high school counselors, students, and their families.
• Serve as primary resource person for committees involved with financial aid and/or scholarships.
  
  

Qualifications And Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in higher education financial aid office.
• Excellent customer, telephone, and interpersonal skills.
• Possess the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail.
• Computer skills: Experience with PowerFAIDS, SLATE, Ellucian PowerCampus, EdConnect, and Microsoft Office suite are highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to handle fast paced environment and remain productive.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.
  
  

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, marital or familial status, disability, religion, gender identity or expression, immigration or citizenship status, pregnancy-related condition and lactation accommodations, height and weight, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, protected veteran status, prior arrests or conviction record, or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment.