Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Understand, interpret, and effectively communicate details of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to financial aid, student employment, and scholarships.

Attains and maintains knowledge of major programs and establishes administrative procedures to ensure the proper processing and documentation of awards in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations, and university policies.

Reviews financial aid awards to assure accuracy and completeness, and that the awards are in compliance with institutional and governmental guidelines. Verifies student financial aid eligibility, enrollment, and academic status using Banner.

Calculates and processes Return of Title IV for all students.

Assists the Assistant Director of Compliance in revising and/or approving the awarding of financial aid through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines. Adjusts if necessary for compliance issues and submits the corrections as appropriate.

Rnsuring internal controls are being met.

Ensures state aid is awarded meeting compliance.  Reconciles and reports state as required. 

Performs daily technology-related functions; including electronic data reporting to/from various external organizations such as daily electronic transmissions via EdConnect to such entities as the Department of Education and student loan organizations., as well as serving as a data and award entry specialist. 

Helps to troubleshoot, research, and propose solutions for any financial aid systems issues that are reported before escalating to university information technology (if necessary).

Assists the Director with external and internal audit preparation (e.g. A-133, A&M System) and audits files to identify/resolve issues.

Assists with maintaining of the financial aid operations calendar, in particular specifying those dates and changes that are attributable to the functional responsibilities of the position. 

Resolves over-award problems within Banner based on the student receiving additional resources (scholarships and outside resources) after processing of initial award package.

Maintains a current understanding of the COD system, NSLDS, EdConnect, and ELM. 

Assist in maintaining current federal, state, and student loan organizations’ software through regular upgrades, and the effective use of the same.

Monitors IFAP, Dear Colleague Letters, Electronic Announcements, and THECB updates and keeps the Leadership Team abreast of coming changes; provides feedback and insight on changes and how they will affect work procedures.

Supervises designated Processing team to ensure compliance and reconciliation measures are met.

Maintain a system for the production of student communication, including notifications of “comment codes” needing resolution, SAP notifications, and award and denial letters.

Assists in the annual Banner system setup and ongoing Banner maintenance, e.g., validation tables, letters, tracking requirements, testing, etc.

Assists in training staff on updates and compliance issues in relation to their functional job responsibilities which include Return of IV Funds, Verification, Banner and CampusLogic StudentForms functionality.

Provides data to support financial aid research and reporting requirements related to current regulatory, legislative, and policy issues and/or for data needs related to survey completion and development of reports.  Conducts research on student satisfaction and cost of attendance at least once every two years.

Oversees acting military liaison and foster youth liaison to ensure departmental relationships are strengthened and strategic goals are met while serving these specific student populations.

When needed, assists with on-campus events and seminars for students (high school, prospective, admitted, and current). Events include but are not limited to Jaguar Day and Paying for College.  May work at resource tables as requested by a group from A&M-SA, prospective student groups, and others.

Assists in developing and revising financial aid consumer information materials.

Assists with student inquiries during peak periods and/or absence of staff. 

Develops effective working relationships with appropriate personnel in administrative/academic support offices (e.g., Admissions, Registrar’s Office, Student Business Services, etc.)

Maintains punctual attendance in accordance with the defined office schedule, and/or as assigned, to facilitate excellent customer service and accurate and timely completion of all components of financial aid administration, e.g., verification, awarding, loan certification, etc