"Associate Dir Financial Aid"

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Financial Aid is responsible for overseeing counseling operations within the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA). This position provides guidance to students and family members or supporters of students regarding financial aid options, eligibility, and application processes, including scholarships, loans, alternative financing, and debt management. The role involves awarding financial aid, managing student eligibility, and ensuring compliance with requirements such as R2T4, Verification, SAP and audits. Additionally, the Associate Director will supervise 4 Financial Aid Counselors and the Assistant Director of Counseling Services who manages the OSFA front desk operations.

Responsibilities

COUNSELING: Counseling students and families regarding financial aid eligibility and advise on aid programs, distribution of aid, and renewal requirements. Counsel students how enrollment affects aid amount awarded and how withdrawing or not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) affects future aid eligibility. Advise students and families regarding non-aid options (i.e. payment plan, etc.) to pay institutional charges by payment deadline.

SUPERVISION: The Associate Director will supervise the four Financial Aid Counselors and the Assistant Director of Counseling Services, ensuring they deliver excellent customer service via counseling, telephone, email, and walk-in interactions. This includes providing guidance on best practices for handling inquiries, resolving issues efficiently, and maintaining a high level of professionalism.

TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT: The Associate Director will regularly monitor counseling performance, offer training and support to the team, and implement improvements to ensure timely and accurate responses to students and parents.

FINANCIAL AID PROCESSING: Assist with the processing of federal, state and institutional aid following documented policy and procedures for these financial aid programing, including completing SAP processing for all students per term. Responsible for technical and various system functions for the processing of student aid.

COMPLIANCE: The Associate Director ensures financial aid compliance when awarding students financial aid and is transparent when counseling students regarding eligibility. This position is responsible for managing key compliance requirements such as Return of Title IV (R2T4) funds, Verification, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and other requirements. The Associate Director is responsible for maintaining accurate records, reviewing financial aid counseling processes for compliance with regulatory standards, and working closely with the financial aid leadership team to address any issues. This role is essential in ensuring that financial aid counseling services are compliant and transparent for the integrity of the aid counseling process.

: Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five years of progressive financial aid experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Working experience with student information systems such as Banner and Department of Education software, NSLDS, COD, Ed Connect. Master's Degree from an accredited college or university. Managerial experience and experience with Ellucian Banner Financial Aid.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of Microsoft Office environments. Knowledge of and ability to comply with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws. Willingness to travel to provide training and education.

SKILLS

Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as public speaking and presentation skills. Professional judgment and critical thinking skills for interpreting and applying federal and/or state regulations and guidelines governing the awarding of financial aid to students.

ABILITIES

Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people. Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently. Willingness to learn Ellucian Banner SIS, CampusLogic, Technolutions Slate CRM, and other databases/interfaces. Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to uphold all federal and state statutes and regulations regarding eligibility and distribution of student financial aid. Ability to prioritize tasks, detail oriented, and possess a teamwork spirit. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, and other constituents. Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days; M-F (Work outside of the normal business hours may be required). Pay Band: B11. Salary: Minimum $56,600/annually-$68,245.24/annually. Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position. Recruitment Period: Until Filled. Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University. If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage. Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle. For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation. All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Credit Check

This position will require the acquisition of a P-Card and/or handle cash, credit or other sensitive information and will require a satisfactory Consumer Credit check as a condition of employment.

Other Information

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success." Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited. Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.