Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the overall administration and management of the financial aid work at Millikin University. The Director provides leadership for financial aid functions and fosters effective communication with prospective students, Student Financial Services, Admissions and the community.   Given the nature of the role, the Financial Aid Director handles highly sensitive and confidential matters, maintaining the highest levels of trust and integrity.

Additional key responsibilities of the position include financial aid advising, maintaining financial aid records, supporting policy development, developing effective financial aid strategies, working with IT to create award packages, and enforcing academic satisfactory progress and program length standards. The Director also communicates with students regarding personal finances, academic records, registration activities, and financial needs, while certifying needs analysis, awards, and scholarships. Additionally, this position oversees the Federal Work Study (FWS) program and applies professional judgment in cases involving student-specific situations, such as unforeseen medical needs. The Director is also responsible for submitting institutional reports and ensuring the Title IV compliance of the financial aid program, while working to enhance the integrity and efficiency of financial aid recordkeeping. This position will also work with the Director of Student Billing to ensure compliance with Return of Title IV (R2T4) funding guidelines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

·        Reviews Ellucian Banner release guide and other documentation while working with Information Technology Office to implement Ellucian Banner upgrades and patch resolutions. 

·        Routinely works to set-up aid year in both production and test environments of the Ellucian Banner system to test and process financial aid including, but not limited to: Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct Loan, State of Illinois MAP Grant awarding, as well as institutional financial aid strategies for recruitment, budget /cost of attendance construction and financial aid award letter production.

• Works with Institutional Research to provide data for required reports such as IPEDS, MAP Grant Advising narratives, as well as provides common data set information for surveys such as U.S. News and World and Petersons, NACUBO and other reports.

• Responsible for financial aid specific mandated reporting such as FISAP, NCAA Division III financial aid report and budget submission data to ISAC.

• Updates the Net Price Calculator (NPC) with the University’s chosen NPC vendor to ensure accurate estimates.

• Develops and implements various aid policies and practices such as Year-round Pell, summer financial aid awarding, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy Withdraw/Unofficial withdraw, professional judgement for special circumstances and dependency overrides, etc.

·        Participates as a member of the Standard Academic Progress (SAP) Committee, responsible for responding to SAP appeals and financial aid extension applications.

·        Determine eligibility for and oversee awarding, disbursement and reconciliation of all federal, state and institutional financial aid. 

·        Develop data-driven institutional scholarship and grant policies to support enrollment, retention, and revenue goals. 

·        Contribute to leadership group focusing on enrollment, retention, and marketing efforts 

·        Plan department objectives, organize department responsibilities, provide leadership to financial aid staff, and measure outcomes and progress. 

·        Ensure institutional compliance with Title IV regulations and maintain the University’s Title IV Policies and Procedures manual. 

·        Monitor regulatory developments and lead the University through required changes 

·        Maintain the University’s Program Participation Agreement with the US Department of Education and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. 

·        Prepare and serve as point of contact for annual Single Audit, and any other financial aid audits. 

·        Implement loan default prevention strategies and encourage responsible financial behavior in the student body. 

·        Certify veteran educational benefits and apply awards to accounts 

·        Provide financial aid training to Admissions counselors (twice per year) 

·        Regularly communicate important financial aid information to students 

·        Present financial aid sessions at College visit days, college fairs, or high school financial aid nights. 

·        Coordinate with the Alumni Department in establishment and awarding of donor-funded scholarships. 

·        Assist in establishing, monitoring and reporting the institutional discount rate.

·        Provide aid awards to athletes and complete the annual NCAA Div III Financial Aid Compliance Report. 

·        Aid and adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

·        Re-evaluate a student’s aid eligibility based on their current circumstances through the Professional (PJ) process. 

·        Responsible for the oversight and approval of the emergency loan/funds process.

·        Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  Directly supervises the Financial Aid team. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training staff members, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining staff members; and addressing complaints and resolving issues. 

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to succeed in a result-driven professional organization. Ability to manage results through a staff of direct and indirect employees. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to drive a team in a focused direction. Expert knowledge of higher education processes and practices. Professional performance and results working under pressure in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated proficiency with computers, including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. Customer, budget, quality, and delivery conscious mindset. Ability to establish priorities, work independently with minimal supervision, and facilitate teamwork. Highly organized, with the ability to plan, execute and multitask in order to meet deadlines and keep projects under budget. Must have a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of financial aid experience.
• Strong critical thinking and data analysis skills.
• Financial Aid modeling experience
• Demonstrated record of financial aid leadership and compliance expertise.
• Experience and enthusiasm in working with a diverse student, staff, and faculty population.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively as the situation demands, managing competing priorities in a professional and positive manner.
• Budget management skills.
• The ability to assimilate and interpret complex data, and sensitivity to issues related to recruitment and retention of a diverse student body.
• Strong communication skills.
• Must have strong organizational and management skills.
• Ability to foster intercultural competence, advance equity and inclusion, and create a diverse, inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a public post-secondary educational institution (e.g., a community college, technical college, or a university)
• Experience working with a diverse population.
• Experience with the Ellucian Banner administrative system.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Teams
• Familiarity with current national issues in higher education and awareness of their implications for private universities and across the higher education landscape.
• Ability to represent campus effectively and in various capacities.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information of three professional references to millikin.edu/employment. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment and first day of work is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Millikin University is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups in this field are encouraged to apply. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Millikin University is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive. Millikin offers a competitive salary and full benefit package, including eligibility for tuition waiver.