Director of Financial Aid
SUMMARY
The primary purpose of the Director Financial Aid is to provide financial resources to students who would otherwise be unable to pursue postsecondary education. USSA currently enrolls 325 students, 110 traditional student athletes and 200 online adults studying BSS, MSS and EdD degrees. The goal is to reach 500 by fall 2025. Most of these will study online, part-time, at the graduate level.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensure the Financial Aid Office of USSA is in compliance with the Department of Education (DOE) Title IV regulations. Award VA benefits correctly.
2. To provide student counseling relative to all financial aid programs.
3. To create and prepare Student Consumer Information required by Federal Regulations.
4. To provide adequate personal financial counseling for students as directed by Federal Regulations.
5. To ensure counseling guidelines are followed by the Financial Aid Office (FAO); privacy, confidentiality, referral.
6. To counsel students on matters which call for professional judgment as understood by the Department of Education (DOE).
7. To verify the accuracy of student data consistent with regulations.
8. To monitor student eligibility to receive or continue to receive financial aid.
9. To administer the Pell Grant Program (Regular Disbursement System), the Stafford/SLS/PLUS Loan Program, and to provide campus-based program management of the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), College Work-Study (CWS), Institutional Work Study, Institutional Academic an Athletic Awards, the National Director Student Loan Program (NDSL), and the completion of the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
10. To administer the awarding of all campus-based financial aid programs.
11. To develop and prepare award letters for eligible students.
12. To submit state grant documents for state funded awards.
13. To develop a policy for the distribution of awards.
14. To keep records and prepare the necessary financial reports for monitoring expenditures.
15. To Coordinate awarding with recruiting and retention efforts.
16. To coordinate with the Business Office and the Executive Administrative Assistant the “call-down” of funds for Pell, SEOG, and CWS.
17. To coordinate with the Admissions Office, Registrar’s Office, Athletic Department, Business Office and other offices in complying with all federal regulations.
18. To keep a library of all pertinent laws, regulations, etc., applicable to the operation of the FAO.
19. Join an excellent team of positively charged professionals and serve on committees.
20. To prepare budgets for the FAO and file the FISAP report each year.
21. To prepare and update a Policies and Procedures Handbook for the FAO.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This office is currently funded for a student worker 20 hours per week, the Director of Financial Aid will supervise this position. Currently this is a one-person shop working directly with 325 student programs. We do not have a Federal Work Study program. This is a very small shop that can be well managed. The university is developing programs for immediate growth with the goal of doubling enrollment in two years. Most important is the relationships with coaches, admissions, students, parents and all parties related to student services. Approachability and a positive attitude are essential.
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Requisite education for this position is a BA or BS degree and/or suitable equivalent experience (3-5 years, preferably in higher education financial aid). We prefer a master’s degree and more than 5 years of direct FA leadership at a similar university setting. Placement at an appropriate level and step will be determined by the President. Most important to the incumbent is fitting into the culture of a very productive, high energy, group of professionals that are dependent on financial aid skills and diplomacy.