Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Job Description

Who We Are

The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs : grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assist students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.

What We Want

We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and experienced Assistant Director of Financial Aid to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of financial aid processes, student services, and compliance, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

What You Need to Know

Annual Salary : Commensurate to selected candidates' qualifications

Cover Letter & Resume : A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended

Other Requirements or Other Factors : Requires some evening and week-end work, as well as travel. Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 - Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Six years of related experience in a financial aid office

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in humanities, social science, education, business, or related area, or a master’s degree in student affairs, counseling, higher education, business, or related field

Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in student financial aid in higher education

Two to five years management / administrative experience in student financial in a medium to large institution of higher education

Required Qualifications

Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation

Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, systems, rules, and regulations

Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs

Strong organizational and decision-making skills, with the ability to relate effectively to students, work under pressure, use tact and diplomacy with customers, and multi-task while collaborating with others

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Experience in general office settings with frequent student interaction, strong presentation skills, and expertise in enrollment management, particularly in outreach and retention efforts

Job Responsibilities

Team Leadership

Provides leadership and directs the operation of Team Processing, including financial aid advisors responsible for Federal programs, verification, document imaging and workflow system, record retention, data processing, mail-outs, and data entry of forms

Manages and supervises personnel

COD Processing

Manages the administration of the Federal Pell Grant, Direct Loan, and TEACH grant programs, including transferring files to Department of Education via EdConnect, review and correction of COD information, error report / rosters, and disbursement to students

Process Analysis

Provides leadership and direct support to the Associate Director over Team Processing on the analysis of business processes and the re-engineering of those processes related to imaging, workflow, or the student information system

ISIR Review and Data Exchange

Provides leadership and directs the verification of Federal Match data with outside agencies, including the Social Security Administration, Selective Service, INS, and Veterans Administration

Manages the electronic data exchange with outside agencies, including the sending and receiving of National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) information and FAA Access data while ensuring compliance with federal regulations

Regulation Review, Compliance and Training

Reviews and evaluates various Federal and State regulations and recommends and assists in policy decisions to improve service to students and implement changes required by regulations

Responsible for procedures and policies for imaging, records retention, and certain grant programs. Interacts with faculty, administration, and staff to provide and exchange information and to enhance the counseling and advisement of students

Provide leadership and direct the establishment and modification of and the compliance with institutional, state, and / or federal regulations and policies regarding the imaging, record retention, and grant programs

Assists other staff members with special events and programs

Responsible for training of all staff on Team Processing

Partnership with IT

Serves as a functional liaison between the IT staff and the functional staff regarding business process changes and new systems or technology, particularly the document imaging and workflow system and the student information system

Strategic Planning

Participates in the strategic planning process for the Department and makes recommendations for enhancing departmental operations, including the establishment and implementation of short- and long-term goals

Other Duties

Attends local, state, and national workshops, and conferences; hosts and presents at various workshops

May serve on national, university, divisional, and departmental committees

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experience. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our which are : Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

of annual paid holidays

and at least month

Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Health and Wellness :

Professional Development : All employees have access to free training and webinars

and for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

For additional information on benefits

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our which are : Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.