Director, Law School Financial Aid

The Director of Law School Financial Aid plays a crucial role in shaping law school financial aid policies and developing strategies for the efficient utilization of funds. These efforts are geared towards advancing the law school’s strategic enrollment goals for student recruitment and retention. This position carries the responsibility of overseeing the accurate and timely administration of myriad financial aid programs, ensuring strict adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and procedures. In this capacity, the Director will oversee day-to-day operations of processing financial aid for over 1,000 JD, LLM, MSLS and Paralegal students. The Director functions as the lead administrator for Law Financial Aid and is expected to provide consistent leadership, direction, and staff development for all law school financial aid matters. The Director works closely and collaboratively with other University administrators and staff as a resource for federal regulations and institutional policies that govern financial aid.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Exemplifies exceptional skills in financial aid management and leadership, driving the advancement of accessible and inclusive financial aid, student support, and financial wellness services. The focus is on promoting student recruitment, retention, and ensuring that a world-class education is not only attainable but also an affordable reality, with benefits extending beyond degree completion.
• Demonstrates leadership by overseeing and guiding a team of two Law School Financial Aid Counselors, offering supervision and support to foster a collaborative and efficient environment within the Law Financial Aid department.
• Reviews, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, University, and agency regulations in accordance with financial aid policies and procedures. Collaborates with the University Office of Financial Aid Director on regulatory updates and campus policies. Advises the Assistant Dean, JD Admissions & Law Financial Aid on operational and regulatory changes that may impact law student financial aid issues including eligibility and disbursement.
• Conducts annual internal financial aid audit, potential program reviews, FISAP, and ABA data, analysis, and reporting. Prepares and presents to the Assistant Dean for review.
• Establishes verification and awarding policies and determines eligibility for packaging and revisions. Performs professional judgments. Oversees the administration of the Federal Direct Loan Programs including Direct Loan file processing, origination, disbursement, and reconciliation; certification and disbursement for private student loans using ELM Resources; and awarding, tracking, and reconciling of Federal Work-Study. Oversees Return to Title IV processing.
• In collaboration with Law School Admission, manages and maximizes effectiveness of institutional scholarship awarding with use of Scholarship Management tool.
• In collaboration with Law School Admission, manages and maximizes effectiveness of the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).
• Develops and maintains loan default prevention and management program. Monitors cohort default rate.
• Develops and advises the Assistant Dean regarding the annual and forecasted student cost of attendance (COA).
• Assists in counseling prospective and current students on financial aid programs, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application procedures by appointment, walk-in, phone, and email. Resolves complex cases regarding financial aid issues.
• Oversees Department of Education COD Direct Loan and CPS ISIR file transfers via EdConnect. Serves as primary DPA for Federal Student Aid systems for Law Financial Aid and Registrar offices.
• Responsible for annual updates and set up for the Law School’s portion of the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid Module. Leads the implementation of all new financial aid systems, testing of update releases, enhancements, and software in conjunction with the IT department. With the assistance of IT and LSAC, coordinates the USI interface between the admissions database and Banner Student system.
• Develops and delivers financial aid webinars, outreach presentations, and information sessions. Develops and updates all financial aid publications, correspondence, and website.
• Attends conferences, trainings, and workshops as needed and disseminates information to direct reports and appropriate campus staff.
• Represents the Law School Office of Financial Aid and Admissions at select recruiting events during the admissions cycle.
• Performs other financial aid and/or administrative duties as assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.