Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid

Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid
StaffHybrid Remote, Lakewood, Colorado

Description
About the Job

The Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services supervises professional staff and determines work priorities, training needs, task delegation, and goal setting, and evaluates work performance in various areas of financial aid including eligibility, awarding, verification, loan processing, SAP standards, professional judgment processing, and administration of all aid programs. Candidates will be responsible for mentoring and creating professional development opportunities to provide staff with progressive experience in the financial aid and student service industry.

This role will provide day-to-day leadership, mentoring, and coordination in alignment with a one-stop services approach; and deliver collaborative services to students and families with maximum care and superior service. Ensures student satisfaction in all aspects of the administration of financial aid and uses professional judgment in resolving issues regarding financial aid decisions and procedures within established guidelines.

About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU's motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master's granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.

What is most appealing about working at CCU?
Faith-friendly: CCU's culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God's Word.
Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We're looking for candidates who have:
Strategic and innovative thinking skills.
The ability to develop and implement Key Performance Indicators following the CCU University Performance Model.
Commitment to support, respect, and empower the contributions of management and staff, and respect for the broad-ranging needs of a diverse population.
Team building skills that can foster, engage, and collaborate, as well as share knowledge effectively across divisional structures, with expertise in the use of data analytics.
Strong communication skills(verbal and written) with critical thinking skills, combined with the proven ability to move ideas forward in a collaborative manner.
Extraordinary customer service and exemplifies this through excellent leadership skills.
Experience with completing federal and state reports pertinent to the use of federal and state financial funds.
Bachelor's degree required.
Experience with Ellucian Colleague or other financial aid management systems is helpful.
Strong database skills, including advanced experience with Excel and MS Office Suite.
Five or more years of progressively responsible and successful leadership in financial aid administration, including experience with data management, predictive modeling, and aid integration with the admissions process; at least 2 years in a supervisory position.
Proven record of financial analysis and planning, including financial aid leveraging
Expert knowledge of Title IV Federal Student Aid and State of Colorado regulations, and ability to analyze financial aid operations regarding program compliance and system support.
Experience with U.S. Department of Education Systems (COD; NSLDS; TDClient and SAIG) and high-level understanding of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.
Key Job Duties
Mission Contribution
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the (Assistant Vice President for Student Financial Services contributes to the mission to serve and support students, parents, faculty, and staff regarding financial aid, student account balances, payment options, and payment arrangements (including payment plans), VA benefits, Colorado residency verification, and other student account matters.
Ensures professional competence in best practices and compliance in financial aid, institutional, and Title IV program assessment.
Maintains expert knowledge of all federal, state, and institutional regulations by following all changes, reading necessary publications, participating in webinars, and networking with professional contacts.
Implements, develops, and revises as necessary policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all Federal and Colorado State laws and regulations, Return to Title IV Aid, Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, and Veteran benefits.
Responsible for the development, implementation, and coordination of college policies as they relate to financial and institutional aid and consumer information requirements under the HEOA.
Construct, manage, and execute the plan for developing financial aid strategies as a comprehensive tool to meet enrollment, retention, and finance goals.
Performs high-level data analysis, developing and implementing financial aid strategies and action plans to ensure effective packaging, marketing, and communication outreach. In collaboration with college leadership ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Regularly reports on institutional financial aid awarding and processing. In collaboration with the CFO and the Senior Vice President of Student Life, uses predictive modeling to develop aid awarding hierarchies and strategies.
Counsel students and their families throughout the degree life cycle, from the point of inquiry to post-graduation financial advising including debt management, loan repayment, financial literacy, and navigating regulatory guidelines.
Works with enrolled students to maximize understanding of aid policies and procedures and performs ongoing outreach to aid recipients and their families to promote the various student-financing options.
Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.

What we offer our employees:

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. The pay range for this job is $80,000 to $100,000 annually. Pay is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate's qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Spiritual Requirements

Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU's Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.