California State University Channel Islands · 1 day ago
Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Ventura County, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$5,053/mo - $12,500/mo
10+ years expCalifornia State University Channel Islands is seeking a Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships to lead the Financial Aid & Scholarship office. This role involves managing financial aid administration, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance student enrollment and retention through effective financial aid strategies.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
No H1B
Responsibilities
Leads the Financial Aid & Scholarship (FAS) office, including creation of priorities, efficiency and effectiveness of staff and office procedures; consistent messaging; customer service; and processing
Extensively collaborates with FAS staff leadership on best practices, policies and business process development, optimization, maintenance, and communication
As a member of the leadership team, responsible for conducting the following activities on behalf of the Financial Aid function:
Conducts short- and long-term planning exercises in support of enrollment goals and manages projects under the purview of this function
Develops and maintains policies and procedures consistent with industry best practices
Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs); produces activity and outcome reports; and course corrects efforts as needed
Serves as the subject matter expert in the Financial Aid & Scholarships domain for EM and the University community
Manages the administration and delivery of federal, state, and institutional aid awarded to prospective and current students
Responsible for departmental budget and resource allocation
Ensures compliance with federal and state government aid programs (Title IV, CSAC, etc.) with the creation and maintenance of policies that support compliance, developing use of technology and data to create quality control and audit practices; and meeting all regulatory reporting requirements
Ensures compliance with institutional aid policies including the administration of endowed funds
Participates in continuous professional development and remains current on all laws, regulations, and requirements
Assumes the role as lead communicator and project manager for all financial aid reporting and responses for audits, such as A-133, CSAC, and Federal Student Aid
Collaborates extensively with Enrollment Management (EM) leadership, vendors, and other key stakeholders on the development and implementation of institutional aid strategies
Collaborates with Admissions & Recruitment and EM Marketing in the development and execution of the Financial Aid & Scholarships communication plan, including all technologies utilized, presentations, and recruitment event participation
Works with EM and University leadership to develop institutional aid strategies that will support student enrollment and retention goals and oversees the successful implementation of the institutional aid strategy
Serves as lead representative for the Financial Aid & Scholarship office on University Committees
Liaisons with University Advancement and academic departments for purposes of awarding and maintenance of endowed and annual funds
Ensures effective financial aid advisement of all students, as well as their families, on application procedures, awarding information, and deadlines
Presents at various campus events and to a wide array of audiences
Ensures that financial aid related information is communicated clearly and accurately across all mediums (web, print, email, student portals, etc.)
Ensures timely, accurate, and clear customer service to prospective and current students and parents as they navigate the aid process from pre-application through graduation
Guides the timely and accurate packaging and disbursement of student aid and ensures the effective flow of information and documentation throughout the process
Ensures that all technology platforms are properly configured and deployed in support of compliance, strategy implementation, customer service, and operations
Collaborates extensively with external enterprise partners and internal academic and administrative colleagues in the aiding of students
Manages employees assigned to the team including hiring, on-boarding, training, oversight, and performance management
Performs additional related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
A Master's degree from a four-year college or university and a minimum of ten years of professional experience working in financial aid. A Master's degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience
Demonstrated successful and significant experience in financial aid including the ability to develop, implement and manage financial aid programs and provide leadership for the University and staff
Strong budgetary skills demonstrated by successful departmental fiscal management
Knowledge of best practices and latest trends in the student aid profession and actively participates in state, national, and regional financial aid associations
Ability to perform accurately in a detailed-oriented environment, handle multiple priorities, and organize and plan work projects
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of financial aid and the ability to apply knowledge to situations where precedents do not exist or are ambiguous
The ability to create solutions to student problems that integrate the full range of university resources
Must be sensitive to the needs of individuals while maintaining the legal and fiscal integrity of federal, state, and university aid programs
The ability to analyze complex situations and determine appropriate courses of action while engaged with students in personal interactions of a sensitive nature
The ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students, staff, faculty, the community and the ability to function as a member of the financial aid team
Ability to use standard office software including, but not limited to, the Microsoft Suite and student aid systems such as Oracle PeopleSoft, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), WebGrants, NSLDS, FAFSA Processing System (FPS), Campus Logic, etc
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU
The person holding this position is considered a ‘Campus Security Authority (CSA)' to report crimes for the federally mandated Clery Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 revised March 24, 2017 as a condition of employment
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment
This position may be 'Designated' under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter
Company
California State University Channel Islands
California State University Channel Islands is an educational institute that provides bachelor's, master's degree & course certifications.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
James August, PhD, CISSP, CISM
CIO / Associate VP for IT Services
Jennifer Raymond, DrPH, CHES
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