Job Description

The Director, Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of over $150 million in federal, state, university and private sources of financial assistance for UIndy students. This assistance is awarded on the basis of many factors such as financial need, merit and talent and is essential to the University's ability to enroll both undergraduate and graduate students.

Under the leadership of the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director of Financial Aid will oversee the day-to-day operations of all Financial Aid activities. The Director will ensure key Financial Aid reporting obligations are met in a timely fashion, coordinate training and ensure a compliance culture at UINDY. The Director will ensure an effective and efficient organizational structure that serves the different student populations well. As well as collaborate with other administrative areas to maintain an optimal balance between enrollment and retention goals, tuition discount rate and net income. Administrative capability and compliance must be maintained for federal and state aid programs for continued institutional eligibility.

The Director of Financial Aid will stay up to date on all Federal and State regulations and communicate changes to the university community to create a culture of compliance. Through a collaborative effort, the Director will work closely with the CFO, Budget and the VP of Enrollment to create a sustainable financial aid packaging strategy and manage the UINDY unfunded aid budget and Financial Aid Office

REQUIREMENTS/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

• Five (5) years of experience as a Director or Associate Director of Financial Aid is required.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague, Congos, Slate, Blackboard and/or similar programs used in financial aid offices within higher education preferred.
• Experience assisting student-athletes with financial aid needs.
• Complete knowledge of all aspects of the administration of federal, state and university financial aid programs with a working knowledge of federal and state law and regulation.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and student success.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and implement policy and documentation.
• Strong communication, project management, data analysis and supervisory skills as well as experience with strategic enrollment management fundamentals.
• Experience/expertise in data analytics or skilled use of business intelligence tools.

Education:

• Minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree, Master's Degree is preferred

Licenses/Certifications/Credentials:

• NASFAA certification (or able to obtain quickly)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Financial Aid Office staff and Processes

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Reviews and implements federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures. Stays up to date on changing governmental regulations and updates policy and procedures in accordance with new regulations
• Ensure proper completion and submission of all major reporting functions associated with ensuring Financial Aid compliance. These include completion of needed updates to the Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR), Program Participation Agreement (PPA), annual Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), mandated state grant reporting, ICI Reports, and other Financial Aid related reports associated with the University
• Partner with Budget to periodically review, manage, and adjust the UINDY unfunded aid budget according to enrollment and initiatives
• Design and implement an organizational structure that ensures optimal student service while simultaneously achieving organizational efficiencies in the financial aid function across the university
• Oversee and assist with the development and implementation of appropriate compliance training for the staff of the Financial Aid Office
• Review and research compliance questions and concerns throughout the university. Provide applicable regulatory guidance to all appropriate stakeholders
• Supervise and direct the work of Financial Aid Technology to ensure coding structures with the University Mainframe are consistent and effective and other corresponding systems stay operationally functional between the separate Financial Aid offices
• Primary contact for external partners, including independent auditors, the Department of Education, the Indiana Commission of Higher Education and other entities
• Work with community partners to manage and award scholarships. Advise community partners on scholarship adjustments that impact a student's award offer. Identify ways to streamline the institutional aid awarding process to ensure a timelier response to students and internal partners
• Work with the Advancement Office to manage and administer Endowed and Annual Scholarships in a timely and accurate manner according to donor requirements
• Review and update the annual packaging formulas used to award financial aid according to federal, state and institutional policies. Maintain the Institutional Packaging Policy
• Create and maintain a culture that provides the highest level of customer service to students, families and internal and external partners
• Creates and maintains effective communication plans for transmitting and receiving critical data between offices such as Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts.
• Works closely with Admissions to establish packaging policies yearly and participates with consultants on such.
• Collaborates with college staff and other offices in strategic and operational planning aimed at achieving office, departmental and institutional goals and objectives.
• Work closely with the Controller's Office to accomplish annual audit objectives. Ensure that all financial aid is processed, awarded, and disbursed according to federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies
• Partner with Athletics to adhere to NCAA regulations in administering financial aid, advising on institutional eligibility and prevent over-awarding
• This individual will need experience and skills in systems such as BANNER and athletics compliance software systems (NCAA, ARMS)
• Oversee Financial Aid office budgets to ensure that operational funds are being spent properly and remain within the allotted budget
• Serve as a standing member of the Retention Committee, Financial Appeals Committee, and any other university committees that come up

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Discount
• Retirement Savings Plan - 403B
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time Accruals
• Paid Holiday time and additional University days off
• Employee Discounts & Services
• Free Parking
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center

For more information about the benefits of being a staff member at UIndy, visit our Benefits site.