Job Information
A.T. Still University ATSU - Assistant Director Student Financial Aid - Enrollment Services in Kirksville, Missouri
Description
A.T. Still University (ATSU) is seeking applications for an exempt Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid - Enrollment Services. This position will be responsible for Direct Loan reconciliation, aid transfer, returns to lenders, regulatory changes, and verification. The incumbent will work directly with the Director of Student Financial Aid as well as participate as an auditor of the Enrollment Services - Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee.
Major Job Duties
Responsible for Direct Loan reconciliation, aid transfer, and returns to lender.
Manages day-to-day operations carried out by coordinators surrounding the financial aid awarding process which requires an individual who is highly detail oriented.
Work with the Director Student Financial Aid to interpret federal financial aid policies, regulatory changes, and processes.
Manage process for students selected for verification.
Management of Federal Work-study program and coordination with Human Resources/Payroll.
Participate as an auditor of the Enrollment Services – Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee, and assist the Director Student Financial Aid with management of the SAP process.
Manage and oversee the daily transmissions of files to and from the Federal Department of Education (receipt of ISIRs, origination of loans and disbursement of Title IV funds).
Provides support for University data requests and data analysis.
Assist with hiring, training, and evaluating employees.
Limited travel to professional conferences and ATSU campuses.
Works with the Director of Student Financial Aid-Enrollment Services to interpret federal financial aid policies, regulatory changes, and processes per the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA).
Responsible for Direct Loan reconciliation of over $170M annually, aid transfers, and Title IV Returns to Lenders (RT24) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and ATSU’s Finance Office.
Manages and oversees the daily transmissions of files to and from the U.S. Department of Education through the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system and ATSU’s Student Information System (SIS) Financial Aid Automation systems (receipt of ISIRs, origination of loans, and disbursement of Title IV funds).
Troubleshoots processing errors within the SIS, COD, private lending portals, and the U.S. Department of Education Central Process System, FAAccess.
Manages and oversees the regular awarding, approval, and disbursement of Title IV and non-Title IV funding (i.e., other loans and scholarships, which includes $1M internal scholarships and more than $9M external scholarships). Requires knowledge of VA benefit types, Department of Defense (DOD) regulations, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), etc.
Manages the U.S. Department of Education’s return to Title IV (R2T4) review process and calculates and schedules any funds that must be returned. This also includes returning other funding sources to comply with Title IV regulations.
Management of ATSU’s short-term advance, and future funding confirmation process.
Participates as a voting member of the Title IV Professional Judgment Committee and manages the process of document collection, student advisement, and coordinator training.
Manages the Federal Work-Study program and reconciliation process along with the Financial Aid Specialist-Enrollment Services, Human Resources, and the Finance Office (biweekly, monthly, and annually with the Director Student Financial Aid-Enrollment Services).
Collaborates with the Director Student Financial Aid-Enrollment Services on the annual Cost of Attendance and general processing preparations, which includes leading the SIS upgrades and configuration for over 30 programs, maintenance of student resources like the Financial Aid Good to Go Checklist, development of packaging resources, and scheduling of over 3000 financial aid offers for both the incoming and returning student populations (student population includes over 3900 students).
Leads the Enrollment Services internal Financial Aid Advising team, offering monthly or as-needed meetings or training opportunities in order to promote discussion and growth of the success of ATSU’s student financial aid advising team.
Participates as an auditor of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee and assists the Director of Student Financial Aid-Enrollment Services with the management of the SAP process.
Assists the Director of Student Financial Aid-Enrollment Services with the hiring, training, and evaluation of the 2 Coordinator-Enrollment Services positions and the Financial Aid Specialist-Enrollment Services.
Provides assistance to the Enrollment Services leadership team for any other Enrollment Services training needs.
As a member of the Enrollment Services leadership team, works to build relationships and partnerships with Information Technology Services (ITS), including Chief Information Security Office (CISO), ATSU program personnel, ATSU staff, outside agencies, and vendors.
In partnership with Student Affairs and the Enrollment Services leadership team, responsible for maintaining compliance regarding regulated content on the ATSU website (such as the Consumer Disclosures section), the Enrollment Services public web pages, the internal Enrollment Services Faculty/Staff Support Site, the ATSU University Catalog, the Enrollment Services section of the ATSU Student Handbook, the Enrollment Services Policies and Procedures Manual, the Enrollment Services Communication Plan, etc.
As a system partner and administrator, coordinates and test all upgrades to the SIS financial aid module in collaboration with the Enrollment Services leadership team, including delegation of testing to appropriate end users within Enrollment Services as needed.
Manages the financial aid document and data retention practices per the ATSU retention policy and internal Enrollment Services best practices for all types of aid.
Management of ticket system responses for relevant areas.
Provides documentation and responds to requests for more information for the required, annual Title IV financial aid audit along with the Enrollment Services leadership team and the Finance Office.
Provides support for University data requests and data analysis (i.e., annual FISAP report, ATSU Quick Facts web page, internal and external survey, annual Enrollment Services data, or research support).
Ongoing training and development in the areas of: federal financial aid programs, academic records, FERPA, prepares and manages staff evaluations for direct report staff members, internal office professional development, and the annual ATSU Required Employee Education (REE).
Travels to professional conferences and ATSU campuses, presenting when appropriate.
Skills
Background in higher education with experience preferred in financial aid, familiarity with federal and various state regulations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Representing the University professionally to internal and external constituents.
You have excellent communication and people skills. Whether it be students, faculty, and staff, you treat them with respect and patience.
Must be able to identify initiatives that will enhance services and promote high quality services thinking strategically to connect the dots between opportunities and available resources/capabilities.
Strong technology skills. Skilled in making oral and written presentation through various medias to provide information, instructions, and explain subjects of interest.
Strong analytical skills to research and analyze service offerings and make improvement recommendations with focus on quality and take pride in everything you deliver as a reflection of yourself.
You must have a growth mindset and be very comfortable giving and taking direct feedback and constructive criticism. You must be an exceptional performer in high-pressure situations.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Facilitates ongoing evaluations and goal setting with direct reports.
Serves as the hiring manager for two Coordinator – Enrollment Services positions.
Makes hiring recommendations.
Manages the onboarding and training of new direct reports as well as the exit procedures for staff vacating positions.
Prepares and engages with staff during annual performance evaluations for two Coordinator – Enrollment Services positions.
Identifies and develops training to ensure employee success.
Monitors workflow assignments to ensure all processes are handled in a timely and accurate manner.
Conducts regular audits of employee work in order to maintain high quality of service and deliverables.
Acts on employee problems and makes disciplinary recommendations as needed.
Skilled in making oral and written presentations through various media to provide information, instructions, and explain subjects of interest.
Strong analytical skills to research and analyze service offerings and make improvement recommendations with a focus on quality, taking pride in all deliverables as a reflection of yourself.
Possess a growth mindset and be very comfortable giving and taking direct feedback and constructive criticism.
Perform at an exceptional level in high-pressure situations.
Skilled in creating a work environment where new ideas are solicited, evaluated, and implemented.
Ability to develop positive relationships/partnerships.
Education/Experience
College plus postgraduate studies-Masters preferred.
Knowledge of ATSU, academic programs, and higher education administration.
Supervision and team development preferred.
Experience with project management.
Prior experience is helpful in an academic department, financial aid, or registrar's office.
3-5 years experience preferred.
Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect and patience.
Represent the University professionally to internal and external constituents.
Must be able to identify initiatives that will enhance services and promote high quality services thinking strategically to connect the dots between opportunities and available.
Strong technical skills.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Personal Characteristics/Traits
Positive, adaptable, creative with strong service ethic and able to communicate policies effectively and professionally using your own voice.
Resourceful and able to identify available resources for implementing new, or improving existing, processes while juggling multiple projects.
Ability to lead and motivate others, build strong relationships, and take ownership and responsibility for the work.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Work Location
Telecommute.
Enrollment Services (ES) has a proven track record of providing high-quality services to students regardless of location. Performance metrics can be monitored via the dashboard. The telecommuting model allows for personal face-to-face/Zoom connection with the team and provides the protected time needed to effectively produce the project work required of the position. All in ES are trained on the importance of cyber-security and on ATSU tools & policies to maintain the highest level of security.
Qualifications
Education
Preferred
- Masters or better
In demonstrating mutual respect for all members of the ATSU community, ATSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). Meeting this mission requires serving together in mutual respect of one another’s functions and each person’s importance as an individual.