Associate Director of Financial Aid

Union County College is a public comprehensive community college providing quality, affordable, accessible educational programs that serve the greater Union County region. It is the oldest of New Jersey's 19 Associate Degree Colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College enrolls almost 30,000 credit, non-credit and continuing education students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Many programs lead to the Associate in Arts, Science and Applied Science degrees.

Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.

Campus : Elizabeth

General Description :

The Associate Director of Financial Aid oversees major functional areas in a highly automated Financial Aid Office. The Associate Director assists the Director with the administration of the Financial Aid Office. Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director provides direction, planning, and coordination over key areas in the Financial Aid offices. This includes financial aid advising, communication and services, supervision and training of professional and support staff. The Associate Director processes financial aid eligibility and awards, advises students, represents the Department in administrative and public venues, and has a key role in decision-making and policy development.

Characteristics, Duties and Responsibilities :

• Provides support in the day-to-day operations of student financial aid services that includes administering a very large financial aid program while ensuring compliance with all funding source requirements.
• Reads, interprets, communicates, and administers federal and state regulations and College policies as they apply to financial aid. Notifies other college departments of federal and state requirements for participation in applicable aid programs.
• Advises students and parents on financial aid and budgeting issues.
• Assists Director in the supervision, management, and training of staff and support employees.
• Oversees and performs monthly and year-end reconciliation of State programs with the NJHESAA, Colleague, and the Finance Department, if assigned.
• Oversees and performs monthly and year-end reconciliation of federal programs with Student Accounts Office, Colleague, Common Origination and Disbursement, and Finance Department, if assigned.
• Assesses and evaluates the Return to Title IV (RT24) calculations, ensuring correct completion in a timely manner and ensuring the conformance with College and federal regulations.
• Analyzes and processes Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals in a timely manner.
• Acts as the Director in her / his absence and performs all other administrative duties assigned by the Director.
• Maintains expertise in all areas of financial aid so that the department can plan and react positively to changing federal, state, and institutional policies that affect student financial assistance.
• Formulates, implements, reviews, and evaluates policies, procedures and standards to ensure departmental compliance with financial aid guidelines and objectives.
• Leads collaborative efforts with other administrative and academic offices, committees, and individuals in formulating up-to-date procedures and practices related to financial aid.
• Advises students and parents regarding financial aid programs. Refers students as appropriate to other institutional personnel such as Counseling, Admissions, and the Academic Learning Center.
• Performs verifications, professional judgment, needs analysis, eligibility confirmation, and financial aid awards in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Ensures accurate and timely communications to students and potential students regarding financial aid awards.
• Analyzes various system generated reports such as grade and enrollment status reports to verify compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines.
• Coordinates accurate and timely preparation and filing of required state, federal, institutional and other external reports.
• Advises and collaborates with the Director of Financial Aid and senior management to plan and implement short and long-term goals, policies, and objectives that enforces and ensures adherence to policies and procedures.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements :

Master's degree required.

Experience :

Competencies and Skills Required :

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

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