Job Description

The Assistant Director Financial Aid manages the Office of Financial Aid for general operations on a day-to-day basis. The Assistant Director is responsible for general training and staff development as well as operational direction. Trains and monitors staff in all phases of processing applications for financial aid. Develops and updates financial aid guidelines and acts as primary resource for other staff members, regarding processing or policy interpretation. Reviews written appeals, using professional judgment and knowledge of state, federal and USD regulations/policies to determine appropriate action or referrals. Contributes as part of the leadership team in formulating packaging and award policies. Acts as a resource to all staff regarding the interpretation of policies and regulations of USD, the state, and the federal government.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Training and Staff Development

• Develops procedures and guidelines for Need Analysis, using training and knowledge of annual changes and updates in federal regulations and requirements regarding eligibility;
• Conducts training for Financial Aid Advisors and Counselors in Need Analysis functions/philosophy. Serves as primary resource for on-going interpretation/implementation of guidelines and USD policies, using Federal Methodology and USD policy for determination of eligibility for state, federal, and institutional aid;
• Coordinates the processing schedule of assignments for Advisors and Counselors to insure that all applications are evaluated, need is determined, and students are awarded within a very “tight” time frame without sacrificing quality;
• Anticipates and recognizes need for change or problem-solving as trends and issues arise; determines recommendations to make to the Director which are appropriate to enhanced OFA functioning;
• Seeks, supports and promotes training opportunities outside the OFA for all office personnel to enhance job performance;
• Conducts training for new Counselors in USD’s financial aid procedures, manual packaging and other unique situations.

Application Processing

• Reviews, analyzes, and performs ANA and INAS on student records;
• Reviews and responds to appeal letters, using professional judgment and in-depth knowledge of regulations and policies to determine appropriate action or referral, takes necessary action;
• Re-determines awards and re-packages students’ aid manually;
• Supervises Form Review process
• Supervises and contributes to review of ISIR discrepancy reports
• Supervises updating of The Guides to Applying for Financial Aid, all follow-up forms and some award form;
• “Trouble-shoots”, or investigates problems or issues with INAS, Banner Screens, or other computer programs which interface with other offices, interacting with those offices as appropriate;
• Counsels students and families regarding financial aid and related matters.

Leadership Team

• Serves as integral part of leadership team in formulating and implementing OFA policies, procedures and philosophy, adhering to USD’s mission statement;
• Assists the Director in responding to parents and students regarding “crises”, or unique situations which need an immediate response or attention with creative, or “gray area” judgments;
• Advises students and parents with complicated situations (typically referred by the Counselor of the Day or by department personnel from other offices) on financial aid matters in large and small groups and one on one, using professional judgment, program knowledge, counseling skills and sensitivity to emotional issues which may arise;
• Represents the OFA Director at meetings/presentations when scheduling conflicts arise.

Other

• Supervises one full-time staff member;
• Maintains KnowledgeBase articles for the OFA;
• Serves as a back-up Counselor of the Day;
• Serves as back-up for creation and maintenance of all eforms;
• Serves as back-up for VA/Military benefits awarding;
• Creates and makes presentations for workshops and seminars related to financial aid;
• Attends state and federal training workshops and state/regional/national conferences relevant to financial aid or other related topics;
• Represents the Director at various committee/board meetings as needed;
• Serves on committees on campus or in the community as requested;
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Ability and availability to work additional hours at peak processing times
• Make difficult and critical decisions
• Make independent decisions
• Ability to assist emotionally sensitive students and parents with financial aid/other issues
• Ability to conduct meetings with various-sized groups as needed to facilitate processing and/or coordinate information among office personnel

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.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• The Assistant Director should have broad experience in federal and state student aid regulations, financial aid policy, need analysis, financial aid packaging methodology, and human relations
• Four year’s full time experience in financial aid

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher preferred
• Some supervisory experience preferred

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of need analysis and student aid policies and regulations
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Effective organizational skills
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Ability to make independent decisions
• Ability to adjust to changing environment
• Capacity to listen and respond with knowledge and understanding to students' and parents' situations
• Working knowledge of USD's awarding policy and financial aid philosophy
• Word processing skills
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Title IV Regulations

Posting Salary:

$6,474 - $7,314 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

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