Financial Aid Associate Director
Meharry Medical College

Job Info

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The Associate Director of Operations/Compliance reports to the AVP of Financial Aid and has the overall responsibility for operations and compliance within the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Management.

Daily Operations

• Process student applications for a variety of federal, state, regional and student aid programs;
• On the basis of a broad knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations governing student aid programs, the Associate Director reviews financial aid applications using need analysis methodologies established by the U. S. Department of Education;
• Assess and verify student eligibility for aid utilizing professional judgment. Candidates must have an understanding of Title IV financial aid programs and how state and institutional aid integrate with federal aid;
• Review student files and prepare revisions (resulting from professional judgment or selection for named scholarships) as needed to aid packages.
• Assume primary responsibility in ensuring compliance with policies regarding federal, state, and institutional coordination of resources;
• Provide leadership, when needed, to the financial aid staff.
• Assist with hiring and training of financial aid staff.
• Assist with the development of workflow procedures, creation of office policies and procedures.
• Examine processes for ways to improve access to students and ensure the College is compliant with all regulations.
• Counsel students and families on all matters related to financial aid, from completing forms to reviewing special circumstances. Discuss complex cases with the AVP;
• Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of all federal, state, and institutional sources of financial aid and the regulations that govern them, including the need analysis systems used to determine aid eligibility;
• Responsible for providing reports and data requested from various agencies, as needed;
• Responsible for presentations and seminars;
• Responsible for remaining current and informed of all changes within the student loan industry;
• Ability to participate in the development of aid policies and procedures including, but not limited to, need analysis and packaging.
• Edit and update written and electronic consumer information and publications in consultation with the AVP.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated strong commitment to service;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written, analytical research and problem solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects;
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions;
• Adequate knowledge of financial aid and administrative service programs;
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and to interpret complex program regulations and to articulate them to constituencies;
• Demonstrated facility with Microsoft Word, Office Suite, Excel and other spreadsheet software;
• Demonstrated ability to utilize software and hardware, PC, mainframe and applications;

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree or equivalent plus 5 years related experience in financial aid and demonstrated experience directing all facets of a complete student aid program.
• The successful candidate will work collaboratively and be comfortable in a science/technology environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills. Must be creative, energetic, and demonstrates a sincere commitment to providing quality assistance to students.
• Must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of need analysis, federal and state financial aid programs and regulations;
• Possess excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills;
• Ability to manage, train, motivate, organize and supervise staff;
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, manage multiple tasks, provide leadership, and demonstrate innovative responsiveness to problem-solving;
• Skilled in utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities;
• Skilled in interpreting and effectively communicating rules and regulations to a diverse audience, both in one-on-one sessions and group presentations;
• Skilled in developing and presenting credible money management education to a diverse audience;
• Skilled in communicating effectively through oral and written mediums;
• Ability to work with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and work in an environment with regular interruptions;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive data;
• Ability to evaluate and implement US Department of Education's recommendations and regulations;
• Proficiency in need analysis/verification and financial aid packaging required;
• Experience with Ellucian's Banner financial aid module, preferred.

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