Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Working Title:

Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Position Number:

FA097

FLSA:

Exempt

Appointment Type:

Full Time

Sensitive Position:

No

Sensitive Position Statement:

A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority:

No

Campus Security Authority Statement:

This position is NOT designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an "official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities". A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel:

Yes

Designated Personnel Statement:

This position is a "designated position" meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest:

No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement:

This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position:

No

Restricted Position Statement:

A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships is responsible for the leadership, administration, and coordination of a growing comprehensive financial aid program in support of the university's enrollment, retention and completion goals. The Director oversees the awarding of nearly $60 million in federal, state, and institutional student financial aid while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, institutional, and private scholarship and loan regulations governing student aid programs and leading all efforts to include the compilation and reconciliation of documentation, applicable trainings, and various meetings associated with compliance surveys and/or audits.

Work Tasks:

Federal, State, and Institutional Compliance:

• Interprets and implements federal and state financial aid rules and regulations.
• Ensures that internal policies and procedures accurately reflect standard operating procedures and are based on federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations so as to avoid institutional fiscal liability.
• Updates institutional financial aid policies ensuring compliance with pertinent federal, state, and institutional rules and contractual regulations.
• Reviews and responds to proposed legislation related to financial aid.
• Oversees and coordinates the Financial Aid Office response to program reviews and audits (federal, internal, program, and/or state).
• Employs procedures to ensure that students receiving federal, state, and institutional aid are maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with Federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Completes the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) and other requisite surveys and reports.

Leadership:

• Coordinates financial aid operations in collaboration with other appropriate institutional units to provide seamless and responsive service to constituents and to support enrollment and retention of students.
• Participates in the formulation, implementation, and assessment of financial aid and enrollment strategies.
• Directs, trains, supervises, and evaluates financial aid staff promoting and providing for Financial Aid cross-training and staff development.
• Promotes awareness for staff regarding the needs of different student populations and the array of services available on and off campus to meet those needs.
• Leads the office in business process analysis so as to continuously increase and improve operational efficiency and service, and ensures proper controls and regulatory compliance, and maintains a paperless processing environment.
• Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, perform a variety of tasks, and lead and direct the work of others.

Financial Aid Program Funds and Program Management:

• Manages and supervises departmental operations for automated and manual financial award systems, data management, packaging, budgeting, records, disbursement, and reporting requirements for loan, employment, grant, and institutional scholarship programs.
• Directs the delivery of student financial aid to include federal and state aid.
• Conducts needs analyses and determines individual student eligibility for various aid programs.
• Verifies, documents, and maintains student generated information used to determine eligibility for financial aid awards.
• Directs the loan default prevention program and a program for assisting students with locating outside (private) scholarships.
• Implements policies and procedures so that documentation, audit trails, accountability, and checks and balances exist for all funds disbursed.
• Develops, implements, and monitors best practices related to scholarship allocation and financial aid processing.
• Employs policies and procedures for the administration of refunds, repayments, and return of Title IV aid for all withdrawing financial aid recipients.
• Chairs and convenes the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

Scholarships:

• Directs the administration and oversight of over $10M in scholarship programs including but not limited to Christopher Newport University (CNU) institutional, CNU Educational Foundation, and external scholarships.
• Oversees the policies and procedures, audit trails, accountability, and checks and balances for scholarship funds disbursed.

Technologies:

• Maximizes integration and use of technology in delivering financial aid.
• Participates in a cross-functional team to maintain a paperless processing environment utilizing document management and workflow technologies.
• Coordinates the enhancement and maintenance of the automated financial aid system (Banner) with Information Technology Services, Student Records Systems, and regulatory and guarantee agencies.
• Ensures that technological applications of financial aid delivery are current.

Outreach, Counseling, and Advising:

• Oversees, evaluates and continuously improves upon an effective, proactive student financial aid counseling program.
• Maintains relationships with students, faculty, advisors, and university administration so as to provide an avenue for students to seek assistance when needed.
• Serves on university committees and teams as needed.
• Designs, develops, implements, and participates in outreach activities with an emphasis on financial aid advising and services to current and prospective students to include high school college nights, college fairs, admissions open houses, admitted freshman days, Setting Sail, Welcome Week, and other outreach programs targeted at informing current and prospective students of financial aid availability and application processes.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with local and, to the extent possible, state high school counselors.
• Provides programmatic and federal and state updates to Admission and Transfer Center recruiting staff.
• Collaborates with various university constituencies to design, edit, and produce publications and communications regarding financial aid.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.
• Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
• Fully supports the "Student's First" value at Christopher Newport University and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
• Completes all work in a timely, efficient and accurate manner.
• Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absence.
• This position is designated as a "responsible employee" who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position:

• Strong organizational and effective communication skills.
• The ability to develop and present student programming.
• Strong leadership, team building, collaboration, analytical, strategic planning, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to set work priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, hands-on environment while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional financial aid rules and regulations.
• Expertise with the U.S. Department of Education's Code of Federal Regulations and Higher Education Act, as amended, with regard to federal aid programs as well as federal privacy laws.
• Demonstrated ability for student programming and public speaking.

Required Education:

Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree with experience that equates to a Master's degree .

Additional Consideration - Education:

Master's degree in a related field.

Experience Required:

• Progressively responsible experience in financial aid or in a related area of higher education.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience in an environment with responsibility for the management of fiscal programs.
• Experience with collaborating with cross-campus offices to include but not limited to Student Accounts, Admission, Registrar, Advancement.
• Data analysis experience.
• Experience with Banner or similar systems.
• Experience working at a college/university.
• Experience in interpreting federal financial aid rules and regulations.
• Experience building, conducting, and managing outreach activities.
• Experience processing financial aid requests and reviewing eligibility determinations.
• Experience with financial aid software and websites, such as COD, FSA, NSLDS, etc.
• Experience in dealing with complex situations and diffusing customer conflict.
• Financial Aid compliance and training experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional Consideration - Experience:

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience managing Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program.
• (VSFAP) funding and regulations.
• Experience working at a four-year liberal arts institution.
• Experience with Slate or another CRM.
• Experience with SQL*, Toad, SQL Developer, or an equivalent application.
• Experience in enrollment and student services functional area(s).

Salary Information:

Starting at $99,400, Commensurate with Education and Experience

CNU Information:

Christopher Newport University is anchored in excellence, and that is reflected in our ranking as the #1 regional public university in Virginia and #3 among regional public universities in the South. We are an inclusive and kind community, founded on our shared values of honor, scholarship, service and leadership. We offer an outstanding liberal arts education provided by dedicated, gifted teacher-scholars who are supported by a compassionate team of faculty and staff. Our 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students pursue more than 90 areas of study, as they live and learn on a largely residential campus. CNU's on-campus performing and visual arts centers offer Broadway shows, world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, transformative lectures and classes, and more. Our athletics program is the winningest at any level in Virginia.

Christopher Newport University is in the heart of Newport News, a vibrant city with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. The city and region offer affordable neighborhoods, local and name-brand shops, diverse dining options, local parks and water access, and fun recreational opportunities. Whatever your interests and goals, you belong at CNU For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit cnu.edu.

Posting Number:

AP392P

Number of Vacancies:

1

Posting Date:

03/12/2025

Review Begin Date:

03/27/2025

Application Instructions:

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application.

This position will be posted until filled, however for priority consideration, please apply by 03/27/2025.

Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Quick Link for Internal Postings:

https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/18904

EEO/Diversity Statement(s):

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.

Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement

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