POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Financial Aid - West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1234
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice-Chancellor of Student Services
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Financial Aid - West Plains serves as chief administrator for the Office of Financial Aid and administers a student financial aid program consisting of federal, state, and local funds exceeding five million annually. The Director of Financial Aid - West Plains supervises the receipt, evaluation, and approval of requests for all programs, establishes procedures for and keeps records on transactions with students, ensures effective and efficient use of automated financial aid systems, prepares or supervises the preparation of all required and ad hoc reports related to the operation of the offices, and ensures that the University’s use of funds is in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: Two or more years of experience in college or university financial aid administration is required. Preference will be given to individuals with more than minimum experience in an automated, financial aid office.
Skills: The ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with students, parents, high school counselors, fellow employees, college administrators, and other constituents of Missouri State University – West Plains is required. Strong organizational and management skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures smooth operation of the Financial Aid Office and applies for funds, develops and recommends student financial aid policy, manages aid funds, conducts program evaluation, and performs related duties as assigned by the Vice-Chancellor of Student Services.2. Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by making group presentations to inform the public about various financial aid programs and associated application processes.
3. Ensures student and parent awareness of various financial aid sources by providing information and answering questions.
4. Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping them to complete appropriate and required forms.
5. Determines students’ eligibility for the various financial aid programs by evaluating their applications.
6. Ensures students are in compliance with the federal satisfactory academic progress policy by monitoring the students’ academic record and status, reviewing financial aid appeal letters, and chairing the financial aid appeal committee.
7. Prevents institutional liability and ensures University compliance with federal and state regulations governing financial aid by maintaining current knowledge and by revising the University’s Policy and Procedure manual for Financial Aid.
8. Ensures the maximum utilization of Federal Work Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds by monitoring and controlling these funds and awarding them to qualified students according to federal guidelines.
9. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations by assisting in the preparation of all required reports concerning financial aid.
10. Keeps abreast of electronic media for receiving and transmitting financial aid information.
11. Supervises processing of scholarship applications for submittal to the Scholarship Committee and monitors the awarding and disbursing of those funds.
12. Coordinates the preparation of the annual Scholarships and Financial Aid Handbook.
13. Administers programs such as WIA, TRA, and Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of the Blind, and athletics scholarships.
14. Builds the yearly financial aid year in the computer system by copying rules and updating all facets of the new-year financial aid system.
15. Tests financial aid upgrades (2 to 4 per year) that are loaded into the computer system for accuracy and reviews the University Software’s BFINAID list serv emails weekly for upgrades, problems, defects, etc.
16. Administers and performs monthly duties related Stafford loan default management processes and applies for any Missouri Department of Higher Education Default Prevention Grants.
17. Certifies and monitors state grants and programs through the FAMOUS web product.
18. Builds and processes Federal Title VII student withdrawals each semester on the Department of Education website.
19. Completes the annual FISAP report to request campus-based funds and reports the usage of those funds.
20. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
21. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed.
22. Ensures that miscellaneous assignments related to Financial Aid are completed in the best interests of the campus by accepting and accomplishing tasks which are delegated by the Vice-Chancellor of Student Services.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Financial Aid - West Plains is supervised by Vice-Chancellor of Student Services and supervises student workers and full-time and part-time staff in the administration of the financial aid and scholarship programs.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED NOVEMBER 2022
