Director, Financial Aid

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Job Title:

Director, Financial Aid

Department:

Admission & Financial Aid

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Reports to:

Interim Vice President, Admission & Financial Aid

Work Schedule:

35 hours/week; 12 months/year

Union:

N/A

Grade Level:

9

Salary Range:

$76,100 - $98,900

General purpose:

To assist in meeting enrollment goals through strategic use of institutional financial aid and ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations in all areas of the financial aid information, delivery and accounting systems. Responsible for the overall management and administration of all student financial aid, as well as the operation of the Financial Aid Office.

Summary of Essential Functions

1. Oversees the daily operations of the Financial Aid Office and implements policies and procedures to ensure the accurate, timely and compliant awarding and processing of federal, state and institutional aid programs.
2. Fiscal stewardship of MICA’s financial aid funding from sources including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and endowed/restricted funds.
3. Serve as financial aid strategist, Chief Compliance Officer, and Director of Financial Aid for Title IV federal aid regulations.
4. Actively engage with undergraduate and graduate admissions offices and other strategic partners in developing and implementing awarding policies and communication strategies that maximize impact in achieving MICA’s recruitment objectives, retention goals, and institutional priorities.
5. Works closely with the Office of Advancement to monitor and award scholarships funded through endowment and annual giving.
6. Annually assess the effectiveness of the financial aid program and collaborate with the Vice President to make adjustments in financial aid strategy within budgeted discount rate.
7. Primary point of contact with external financial aid leveraging partner.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Manage the day to day operation of the Financial Aid Office to include administering and monitoring all Title IV, State, and institutional aid programs to ensure regulatory compliance.
2. Responsible for all aspects of the financial assistance programs and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and institutional guidelines. Create, analyze, report and present complex statistical data used to make data informed decisions- forecasting, effectiveness, outcomes, discount rate, etc. to senior administration, departments, etc.
3. Develop and direct training activities for the Financial Aid staff to ensure an efficient, knowledgeable and service-oriented team of professionals.
4. Prepare and submit the annual Fiscal Operations Report, Federal IPEDS Report, NACUBO Discounting Survey, Maryland State Sellinger Report, etc. and Manage the annual A-133 audit.
5. Prepare and monitor institutional aid budget and discount rates. Create, analyze and present numerous and complex financial aid reports that detail the expenditures of all aid funds on an annual and ad hoc basis as requested by college leadership.
6. Reconcile all aid disbursements with Fiscal Affairs, Student Accounts, Advancement, Returning Student Scholarship Competition, etc.
7. Ensure effective and accurate transmission of financial aid data and information to campus offices and outside agencies.
8. Process all Leave of Absence, Withdrawals and all R2T4 Calculations on individual student federal refunds.
9. Write, edit and design publications and communications from the Financial Aid Office.
10. Annually review all students for credits completed and GPA to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Inform students of outcomes and read, assess and approve all appeals.
11. Annually determine all undergraduate scholarship renewals based on academic performance, inform students of deficiencies, manage extensive appeal process, assess appeals and determine outcome.
12. Collaborate with Director of Advising monitoring plan requirements for academic success and scholarship renewal.
13. Manage a complex internal computer system and many external data exchange systems—PeopleSoft, ED Connect, EDE, Work Day, SAIG, MDCAPS, COD, Direct Loans, etc.
14. Represent the College on federal, state and external committees on financial aid related issues.
15. Work closely with faculty in the structure, process, and management of the Competitive Scholarship for Returning Student program.
16. Responsible for other reasonable related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Extensive knowledge of enrollment functional areas and experience with enrollment management issues.
2. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage professional and support staff; Ability to supervise, develop, and evaluate staff, and to foster a cooperative work environment.
3. Comprehensive and current knowledge of aid programs with demonstrated skills in interpretation and application of federal regulations and compliance issues.
4. Strong analytical and problem solving knowledge and skills in research, statistical analysis, student tracking, assessment and data-based decision support.
5. Strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills including public speaking and government relations.
6. Ability to collaborate and build positive working relationships with individuals at all levels within the college.
7. Able to communicate and work effectively with a diverse socio-economic population.
8. Adaptability and the ability to come up with solutions to complex problems on short notice.
9. Ability to understand complex regulations for State and Federal Government entities.
10. High commitment to, and compliance with, federal, state, and campus regulatory and statutory policies, procedures, and programs.

Minimum qualifications:

1. Bachelor Degree.
2. Extensive and progressive experience in student financial aid with increased levels and areas of responsibilities in managing all financial aid office operations (i.e. customer service, outreach, application processing, verification, federal and state grant and loan program administration, reporting and systems).
3. Experience working with accounting and financial aid information systems to access data, maintain records, generate reports and communicate award information to students.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. PeopleSoft experience.
2. Higher education experience and at least 5 years of directly related Financial Aid Leadership experience.

Reporting to this position:

Associate Director of Financial Aid, 3 Assistant Directors of Financial Aid, Financial Aid Database Manager, Financial Aid Office Manager.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Satisfactory full background check results.
2. Unusual Circumstances related to position (i.e. essential personnel, require travel, serve in an “on-call” capacity, work evenings and/or weekends, blackout periods, etc.).

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to (15) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position).
2. Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually (minimal, moderate, or high).
3. Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule).

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.