Director of Scholarships & Student Aid

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The purpose of this organizational unit is to administer all of the student financial assistance, and to coordinate all of the Title IV student assistance programs, in which the institution participates, with the institutions’ other federal and non-federal programs of student financial assistance. Our population exceeds 7,900 students with over 90% receiving financial assistance through our office. This unit is responsible for the accountability of over $100 million in student assistance.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Director of Scholarships and Student Aid manages financial aid processes and staff ensuring a strong commitment to customer service and problem solving. The Director is responsible for the overall administration of all financial aid programs and providing leadership and effective management to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid program policies and regulations for traditional and adult nontraditional degree programs.

The Director of Scholarships and Student Aid will operate in a complex environment serving as the financial aid expert for the institution, engaging NCCU’s campus constituents in the vision for financial aid, garnering support, trust, confidence, and colleagueship. This includes implementing policy, managing staff while ensuring a high level of customer service, adhering to compliance demands, and providing support to the Associate VC for Enrollment Management in setting, measuring, and fulfilling the strategic direction and goals for the office

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to build strategic and sustainable cross-organizational partnerships.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals, including senior administrators, faculty, administrative staff and students.
• Independent judgment and the ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities without supervision.
• Strong analytical skills and a demonstrated commitment to using data in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and foster collaborative relationships.

Minimum Education/Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, public administration, or a field directly related to the position. Master’s degree in these fields is preferred.
• 8 to 10 years of increasingly responsible leadership experience as Director of Financial Aid or Associate Director of Financial Aid. Experience at an academic health center or an institution with health professions programs requiring specialized accreditation is preferred.
• 7-10 years of supervisory experience
• Experience interpreting and implementing complex and changing federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Experience managing complex financial aid programs, including creating strategic plans and developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience working with sophisticated and automated financial aid information systems.
• Experience with the Ellucian Banner Financial Aid System is preferred.
• Experience with federal Need Analysis and with awarding federal, state, and institutional funds.
• Experience with preparing and compiling federal and state financial aid reports.
• Expert knowledge of Title IV Federal Student Aid regulations and compliance.
• Expertise with the U.S. Department of Education Systems (COD, SAIG, NSLDS, EdConnect)

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

n/a

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

Function

Program Supervision and Administration

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

• Manage all financial aid and academic scholarship awarding, disbursement, and reporting and ensure that NCCU is in compliance with institutional policies and state/federal regulations. Establish best practices to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage operations, allocate and monitor operating budgets and provide direction to staff members for the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.
• In collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, develop and implement policies and strategies for awarding institutional need-based financial aid that best maximize the yield of new students and the retention of current students and increase net student income at the institution.
• Provide oversight and management over all audit functions, both internal and external, related to financial aid and scholarships. Ensure that appropriate action plans are developed and implemented to address any audit findings and recommendations, and ensure compliance with all federal, state and university regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Complete or assist Institutional Research in the completion of all reports related to student financial aid data for external sources.
• Develop and execute financial aid education presentations on-campus and at secondary schools. Represent the financial aid office at all admissions events.
• Participate as a speaker for campus events such as Eagle Preview, Eagle Scholars Day, SOAR Orientation, etc.
• Represent the University at local, state, and regional financial aid functions in addition to serving as the University contact for media-related requests from the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications.
• Serve on University committees and task groups.

Function

Customer Service

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Address all concerns and issues from students, parents, and administrators pertaining to the core functions of financial aid and scholarships in a diplomatic and thoughtful manner

Function

Leadership and Collaboration

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

• Maintain a high-performance environment through the leadership, hiring, supervision, training, and development of the financial aid office staff.
• Foster a collaborative and positive environment that promotes access and openness among team members and responsiveness to internal and external constituents.
• Serve on University committees and task groups.

Function

Strategic Planning

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Develop and recommend policies for financial aid and scholarships that support the mission and goals of the University which ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Function

Financial Program Monitoring and Management

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Create, manage, and submit all reports including but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Cost of Attendance (COA), and the Program Participation Agreement (PPA).

Function

Communication and Teamwork

Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Leverage the available technology to create efficiencies, improve communication, and ensure data integrity in the financial aid functional areas. Develop and execute communication plans with current and prospective students

Foster a collaborative and positive environment that promotes access and openness among team members and responsiveness to internal and external constituents.