What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Financial Aid position at Southern University at New Orleans?
FLSA Classification
Exempt
Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range
Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000
Pay Grade: To be determined
Reports to
Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management & Student Success
Date
February 17, 2025
Job Description
Summary/objective
The Office of Student Financial Aid administers all Federal Aid and Institutional Financial Aid Programs, ensuring compliance with Federal and State laws, as well as University policy. The Office provides students and parents with comprehensive information on available aid; is responsible for reconciliation and reporting for all students’ aids received by the University; and, works directly with Federal and State officials and auditors in response to various comments and inquiries.
The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for managing and supervising all financial aid processes for awarding, receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state, institutional, grants, scholarships and outside financial aid funds. He or she determines the process on receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state, institutional, and outside financial aid funds. The Director is also responsible for overseeing the counseling of students on matters of financial aid eligibility, and for providing necessary information regarding student financial assistance programs to various constituencies.
The Director of Financial Aid serves as the School’s Certifying Official for the purpose of certifying veteran enrollment at the University.
Essential functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
- Develops and directs financial aid strategies within the framework of federal and state regulations that are consistent with the enrollment management objectives of the University and by administering financial aid, scholarships and student employment programs that support student recruitment and retention.
- Serves as the University’s certifying official for veteran enrollment and oversees the veteran enrollment process.
- Oversees the Federal Student Work-study Program and the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in partnership with the Academic Deans.
- Oversees the process for reviewing financial aid application materials, including the FAFSA, parent information, tax documentation and any other required application information.
- Serves as the Co-Chair of the Scholarship committee.
- Ensures that the University has exception-free Financial Aid audits and program reviews by keeping abreast of and implementing all federal and state laws and regulations that pertain to the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office.
- Interprets and applies federal laws and regulations; college policies and regulations; and state regulations relating to the delivery of student financial assistance.
- Develops student costs of attendance (individual student budgets) including tuition, books, fees, room and board etc.
- Monitors college work-study expenditures, students’ satisfactory academic progress, day care expenditures, federal and state grant expenditures, etc.
- Reconciles student receivable accounts with the Comptroller’s Office and other appropriate offices and calculates refunds and repayments for students who withdraw from school.
- Participates in orientation sessions and attends college fairs, community programs, open houses for the purpose of providing financial aid information to new and prospective students.
- Supervises and provides ongoing professional development opportunities, and evaluating all full-time and part-time employees.
Other responsibilities
- Contributes to student satisfaction through delivery of quality customer service in all aspects of the administration of financial aid and student employment services.
- This includes answering inquiries from parents, faculty and staff on an array of financial aid policies and procedures.
- Corresponds with students to request additional documentation and reconcile conflicting information pursuant to the federal guidelines.
- Ensures that students are informed about their eligibility for financial aid by developing and directing a system for collecting and evaluating applications, and for the timely and effective awarding of all types of financial aid.
- Utilizes and maintains the current Financial Aid module in the University’s student information system.
- Ensures that the system is used effectively and that processes to produce enhancements are developed which are technologically up-to-date and user/student friendly.
- Maintains University’s Financial Aid data to assure timely and accurate submission of required federal, state and local reports.
- Other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information and possesses thorough knowledge of FERPA.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of college students that come from diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic and racial backgrounds.
- Develop positive rapport with assigned financial aid personnel to develop a sense of teamwork.
- Interpret, apply, and enforce federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel including student workers.
- Work independently on complex financial aid issues and processes
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Prior experience with the Ellucian BANNER system is highly desirable. However, the ability to 0perate computer hardware, computer software, and other appropriate office equipment is required.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
- Cultivates positive relationships with UAT students and ensures the highest level of customer service.
- Ability to analyze processes, improve procedures, and generate innovative solutions.
- Experience managing Title IV program
- NSLDS experience.
- Reconciliation Compliance.
- Cash management.
Work environment
Office setting.
Physical demands
Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.
Travel required
Not applicable.
Required education and experience
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Five (5) years of progressive financial aid experience.
- Requires the kind of teamwork, supervision, and personal interaction, that cannot be had in a home office situation; therefore, regular and predictable on-site attendance is a job requirement
Preferred education and experience
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience with BANNER in student and financial modules is desired.
- Experience with applying and overseeing scholarships
- Experience with Veteran Affairs and its processes
Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Non-Discrimination Statement
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.
This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement
Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
Salary : $70,000 - $85,000
