Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Job Title

Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Scholarships And Financial Aid

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents

& lived experience. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are  

The mission of Scholarships & Financial Aid is to provide students and their families with information and financial resources to attend Texas A&M University, along with support programs that promote higher education and developmental opportunities. We administer scholarships and financial aid, which include the following programs:  grants, student loans, student employment, veteran educational benefits, athletic aid coordination, short-term loans, and emergency tuition and fee loans. In addition our office provides advising on the programs listed above. Our office also assist students in gaining financial literacy knowledge through our Money Education Center. Our office is responsible for processing student aid and veteran educational benefits for College Station, Galveston, all Health Science Center sites and Qatar which totaled approximately $836 million in financial aid assistance for the prior academic year.

What we want

Scholarships & Financial Aid is seeking an Assistant Director of Advising to lead the day-to-day operations of a team of dedicated professionals within our office. We are looking for a passionate, critical thinking, and driven individual who will build cross-campus relations and help students find solutions to pay for college. The Assistant Director of Advising will be a key member of our leadership team and will provide oversight of professional judgements, dependency overrides, emergency aid award applications, satisfactory academic progress appointments and work study programs.
The successful candidate enjoys leading initiatives and has a positive attitude. Time management, flexibility, and the ability to work as a motivated self-starter are all crucial for success in this position. If this description sounds appealing to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What you need to know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s qualifications.

Cover Letter & Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Other Requirements and Factors: Experience with student loan process, scholarships, imaging, workflow, and project management. Some evening and weekend work is required. Some degree of travel is required. Must comply with Texas A&M System Policy 07.02 - Texas Higher Education Fair Lending Practices. Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position. Must be able to rectify default status within three months of employment. Good standing must be maintained for continued employment.

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of experience in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student veteran’s services or other related area.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master s degree in fields of Human Resources, Student Affairs, Business, Higher Education, Psychology or related field.
• More than six years of experience in financial aid, scholarships, student employment, student veteran’s services or other related area.
• Management and supervisory skills.
• Two years in a student financial aid specialty area.
• Personnel and program management experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy, professionalism, and a customer service orientation.
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules, and regulations.
• Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to work individually or as a team in a dynamic organization.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be literate in the English language and able to comprehend, give and follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.
• Ability to relate well with a student population.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy, and judgment in dealing with all customers.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office.
• Knowledge of Financial Aid or Student Information Systems.
• Bilingual in Spanish. Background in general office conditions with much time spend in contact with students.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and best practices in specialty area.
• Ability to develop and make presentations.
• Knowledge and experience in an enrollment management area focusing on outreach and/or retention.

Job Responsibilities

Advising Leadership

• Directs financial aid advising initiatives and leads advising service activities.
• Provides management of advising provided both in-person and via appointment and telephone appointment by Scholarships & Financial Aid.
• Serves as immediate and direct resource for Advising staff in assisting students and other customers.
• Coordinates the development, implementation, and completion of special projects and/or procedures for financial aid advising initiatives.
• Uses professional judgment to solve and assist staff in solving financial aid problems and appropriately address customer concerns.
• Reviews and recommend revision to policies and procedures concerning customer service and financial aid advising.
• Participates in the strategic planning process for the department and make recommendations for enhancing departmental operations, including the establishment and implementation of short- and long-term goals.
• Directs assessment, research, development, initiation, and evaluation of programs, procedures, and policies to ensure compliance with Federal and State guidelines and institutional goals.
• Maintains current knowledge in varied aspects of financial literacy.
• Develops and presents training seminars on pertinent topics and procedures within team area of expertise.
• Directs and guides other financial aid staff to ensure that processing activities adhere to established policies and procedures.
• Conducts seminars and gives presentations to include classroom and/or professional level for profession and others.
• Plans and executes special events for specific audiences and in support of departmental initiatives.
• Oversees the transition of students from prospective to currently enrolled students.
• Leads departmental work groups.
• Makes recommendations concerning funding levels and the awarding of student financial aid to needy students for TAMU College Station.
• Works closely with other areas of Scholarships & Financial Aid to ensure the prompt and accurate delivery of service to students.

Work Study Management

• Directs and oversees processing for employment to over 15,000 students, for approximately $34 million annually.
• Directs the monitoring of Title IV Federal and State of Texas College Work Study programs to include community service learning, job location and development, and special tutor programs that have an annual payroll exceeding $5 million dollars to ensure maximum usage of funds and compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Collaborates with College of Education and Human Development in management and monitoring of reading/math tutor program (students and funds).
• Approves proposals for new student employee title codes and departmental student employee career ladders.
• Directs the development of off-campus employment opportunities for students, with

Supervision

• Provides leadership, supervises, and directs full-time Advising team staff and student workers.
• Supervises the operation and administration of aid programs in order to comply with Federal, State, and University policies and procedures.
• Ensures maintenance of excellent customer service and compliance with federal, state, and university regulations.
• Ensures proper training for staff.
• Coordinates team activities and initiatives to maximize effectiveness of team with other areas of the department.
• Provides oversight of the Short Term Loan program, International Student Financial Aid Application processing, and FAFSA Dependency issues processing.
• Provides leadership in personnel issues and the maintenance and management of personnel records and HR functions.

General

• Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to financial aid, student employment and scholarships.
• Develops and revises financial aid consumer information materials, publications, and brochures for currently enrolled and prospective students, parents, colleges, departments, and university use.
• Coordinates and maintains all Financial Aid production calendars and regular monthly financial aid website updates.
• May present at local or state conferences.
• Attends local, state, and national workshops and conferences. Some travel required.

Is this a supervisory position that has the authority to hire employees or whose recommendations for hiring, termination or other change of employment status are given strong consideration?
Yes

Employees Supervised:
Financial Aid Advisor III (1), Financial Aid Advisor I (3), Financial Aid Advisor II (1) and Graduate Assistant (1).

Why Texas A&M University? 

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.