Associate Director

Monday - Friday, 8:00 -5:00 p.m.

The primary purpose of the Office of Student Financial Aid is to administer all financial aid programs of the University including grants, scholarships, loans, and Federal Work Study. The unit receives and processes applications from approximately 22,000 students each year and administers approximately $250 million in student aid funds. In addition, other major functions of the office include monitoring records and procedures for federal and state regulatory compliance, providing federal, state, and donor reports, and providing financial advising for students.

With a staff of five, this position is responsible for all student advising and counseling, information dissemination, award determination, and special request evaluation/resolution. This is accomplished by direct supervision of the financial aid counseling staff and several Assistant Directors. In addition, the position is a member of a five-person management team, and with the Director, takes a leadership role in developing and implementing policies and procedures used to administer the University's financial aid programs. The position serves as a liaison to Niner Central, the campus's one-stop team.

Responsible for financial aid award decisions, both those made directly by the Associate Director and those made by the Assistant Directors. In this context, the primary objective is to meet the basic needs of the greatest number of qualified students to enable their academic success. Further, such assistance promotes a diverse student population, including first-generation and low-income students.

This position is responsible for determining and implementing institutional policies and procedures used in determining financial aid eligibility and award packages for students with special circumstances. This includes the awarding of federal funds as provided under the wide latitude of professional judgment allowed by federal law.

Determines and interprets policies and procedures used in the financial counseling of students, and in providing information to students, prospective students, and family members through telephone, mail, and in-office visits.

Provides assistance to the Director of Financial Aid and Sr. Associate Director in the overall management of the department and in establishing policies and procedures used in the administration of all student aid programs.

Chairs the SAP committee and evaluates professional judgments, SAP appeals, Dependency Overrides, and Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Acts as departmental liaison with the University's Academic Affairs Division for the purposes of student recruitment and student retention.

At the request of, or in the absence of the Director of Financial Aid, represents the University Financial Aid Office to other groups and organizations, both on and off campus.

Serves as a trainer for both the Office of Financial Aid and NinerCentral.
Organizes assistant director staffing for SOAR, Explore, high school nights, and other functions.

Attends conferences and other training sessions to stay current on Federal regulation