Assoc Dir Of Fin Aid Srvcs, Prog Admin And Compliance

About Us

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

Position Title Assoc Dir of Fin Aid Srvcs, Prog Admin and Compliance FLSA Exempt FT/PT Full Time Hours Per Week 37.5 Work Schedule M-F 8:30-5 Grade 17 Minimum Compensation $75,634 General Responsibilities

Responsible for ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional financial aid and scholarship programs. Manages and oversees compliant administration of federal aid programs, state aid programs, institutional grant and scholarship programs and outside aid.

Reconciles aid programs and internal and external reporting, including the annual IPEDs/FAIS report. Responsible for compiling the aid applicant grid and program summary for the FISAP.

Ensures policies and procedures are compliant with federal and state laws and regulations and MOU requirements, and program administration is compliant with these policies. Collaborates closely with the Destination Point Administrator for COD processing for reconciliation of the federal programs and resolving student issues.

Supervise the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Compliance and is accountable for the effective, efficient, and compliant administration of these programs. Coordinates with Student Accounts for compliant disbursement of all aid funds, and is accountable for the federal reconciliation of the Pell and Loan programs, compliant administration of federal R2T4 calculations, and the reconciliation of the state aid programs. The Associate Director of Financial Aid, Program Administration and Compliance, along with the director, will be a direct contact for the annual A133 auditors and the annual Maryland State auditors.

Supports the compliance of colleague processing with federal and state laws and regulations and institutional and office policies. Assists the director and other office leadership to fulfill unit responsibilities for compliance with all federal, state and institutional regulations, policies and procedures related to the administration of financial aid as well as ensuring the institution fulfills all compliance requirements.

Assists the director with strategic planning, budget development, hiring and performance management, and enrollment management functions, especially those related to access and affordability, emergency preparedness; and statistical data management, including outcomes assessment. Serves as one of the college's chief Title IV officers.

As a senior member of the Financial Aid Services management team, collaborates closely with the director and the management team to identify gaps and creates automation as needed. Works closely with the team to implement new Colleague, USDOE and MHEC applications. Serves as a critical member of the testing team to develop, test, and implement technological process improvements and solutions for a wide range of office functions.

Represents the director and the unit, particularly on teams, committees, organizations and other venues related to all financial aid programs and technology. Serves on behalf of the director in his/her absence.

Assists the director in the development of the unit's professional development program, unit outcomes assessment and process enhancements. This work involves considerable knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of areas and is critical to enrollment, retention, general student access for needy students, and compliance with numerous federal and state laws and regulations. This position will assist the director in designing and performing analysis of various problematic areas in the office in order to make data-based decisions for improving operations and outcomes, including cohort analyses, receivables analyses, and various tracking of outcomes for vital signs and the dashboard.

Work Performed

In collaboration with the director, develops and maintains policies for compliant administration of the federal, state, HCCEF and institutional aid programs. Develops procedures for administering programs compliant with policy.

Reconciles federal, state, HCCEF, and institutional aid programs.

Reviews and resolves over-awards. Ensures effective procedures are in place to prevent over-awards and establishes safety nets are in place to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner.

Prepares the office for the annual A133 and Maryland State audits and serves as the primary contact for the auditors in addition to the director.

Oversees the Return of Title IV (R2T4) process.

Approves all aid for disbursement via the FATR process.

Oversees the management of entrance and exit loan interviews in accordance with federal regulations and keeps abreast of the latest methods of delivery.

Oversees management of the default prevention program and the vendor partner to ensure that the college is supporting borrowers in repayment effectively and minimizing defaults.

Oversees compliant administration of federal loan programs and federal grant programs.

Oversees compliant administration of HCCEF scholarship programs.

Oversees compliant administration of state grant programs.

Assists the director with strategic planning and budgeting processes.

Collaborates with financial aid leadership to set up and implement the Colleague System for each new academic year. Ensuring that it remains in compliance with federal, ,state, and institutional regulations and policy.

Assist with testing new patches and updates to Colleague software for the Financial Aid Module.

Oversees all aspects of the Financial Aid Service's operations and leadership in the director's absence.

Collaborates as appropriate with the other associate directors with ongoing in-house staff training program and new staff training and assists the director with the development of broader professional training.

Assists the director with providing training and/or updates to other college units regarding changes to federal and state laws, regulations and programs as appropriate.

Represents the director at various meetings at the college and in the community.

Serves on various committees across campus to ensure that federal regulations and expectations are met by the college and that the needs of financial aid students and the impact of various college programs, policies and procedures for this population are considered.

Works with other Enrollment Services units, the Finance Office and other college units, as appropriate, to resolve student issues.

Assists the director with reviewing, interpreting, and implementing new federal and state laws and regulations.

Responsible for updating the Financial Aid Services policies and procedures manual.

Assists the director, and works closely with the Public Relations and Marketing unit to develop office publications.

Maintains memberships and participates actively in appropriate organizations and attends conferences and regular training sessions.

Collaborates closely with the director on overseeing all aspects and responsibilities of all other staff positions.

Assist the director with data requests and reporting as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required Bachelor's degree Minimum Number of Years Experience Required 5 Other Knowledge Required

Formal Education, Courses, Training Programs, and Experience

Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, business or related fields is required. A minimum of five years' experience in financial aid required with at least two years in administration, and skills relevant to managing a comprehensive financial aid and scholarship program.

Thorough understanding of federal Title IV law and regulations. Outstanding experience with COD related programs well as experience with the reconciliation and the COD reject resolution process. Expertise with Ellucian Colleague System financial aid modules or similar integrated system strongly desired.

Superior technology knowledge and experience required; specific interest in financial aid-related technology strongly preferred. Other outstanding technology skills, including Microsoft Office, imaging technology, the Web, Site Executive, and content management systems. Proven ability to implement programs required.

Superior critical thinking and data analysis required, including ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data and produce related reports, understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios, as well as experience with the review and evaluation of complex federal tax returns. Strong experience with using Excel for data analysis. Outstanding leadership and supervisory skills required, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment required.

Experience with administration of federal aid programs required; experience with Maryland State Scholarship programs strongly preferred. Prior experience in strategic planning and budget management strongly preferred. Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills required, including customer service, public speaking, writing and the ability to communicate complex topics to a wide range of constituencies.

Experience working with a wide range of units and a wide variety of staff and faculty (particularly finance and enrollment services departments) required. Prior experience with and participation in regional and national financial aid training workshops and conferences preferred. Service required on various committees.

Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures

Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required. Knowledge of all college policies and procedures concerning all aspects of Financial Aid Services preferred and knowledge of policies and procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Registration, Testing), other student services units and the Finance Office preferred.

Knowledge of FERPA required.

Extensive knowledge and experience with the Colleague and Image Now systems preferred. Ability to learn, develop, implement, use, and train others in current and new computer applications.

Knowledge of college personnel practices. Knowledge and ability to work with various community constituencies, including the public schools and others. Thorough knowledge of college and unit emergency operations.

Specialized Publications and Resource Materials

The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, Common Manual for federal loans, The COD Technical Reference, The NSLDS User's Guide, SAIG Host Communication Guide, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and US DOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and SFA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality required.

Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Working Conditions

Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of numerous complex tasks with frequent interruptions. Evening hours required; occasional weekend hours required.

This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility is an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods.

Supervisory Postion? No Division Enrollment Services (Div) Department Financial Aid Services