Assoc Dir of Fin Aid Srvcs, Prog Admin

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

The Associate Director of Financial Aid is responsible for supporting the administration, reconciliation, and reporting of federal, state, and institutional student financial aid programs. This includes leading the financial aid systems team, managing R4T4 (Return of Title IV) processing, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. The position also supervises the Assistant Director of Program Administration and Technology and works closely with the Student Finance Office to oversee the financial aid disbursement process. Additionally, the Associate Director prepares internal and external reports, such as the annual IPEDS/ FAIS reports, and compiles data for the FISAP. In collaboration with the Director, the Associate Director serves as the primary point of contact for annual audits. The role also involves advising financial aid staff, applicants, and recipients on the application process, program eligibility, and related matters, ensuring a smooth and efficient financial aid experience for all involved.

In collaboration with the financial aid leadership, develops and maintains policies and procedures for compliant administration of the federal, state, and institutional programs.

Serves as the School Destination Point Administrator.

Supervises the Assistant Director of Program Administration, and is accountable for the effective, efficient, and compliant administration of these programs.

Direct contact for the annual A133 auditors and assist with the annual Maryland State auditors.

Assist the director with strategic planning and budgeting processes.

Collaborates with the director to conduct Ellucian Colleague FA Module set-up each academic year.

Provides oversight for testing new patches and updates to the student information system software for the financial aid module.

Oversees all aspects of Financial Aid Service operations and leadership in the director's absences.

Collaborates as appropriate with the other associate directors with ongoing in-house staff training program and new employee training and assists the director with the development of broader professional training.

Assists the director with providing training and/or updates to other college units regarding changes to federal and state laws, regulations, and programs as appropriate.

Represents the director at various meetings at the college and in the community.

Assists the director with reviewing, interpreting, and implementing new federal and state laws and regulations.

Assist the director with data request and reporting needs.

Reconciles federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

Prepares internal and external reports, including the annual IPEDs/ FAIS reports and the annual FISAP.

Reviews and resolves all over-awards. Ensure effective procedures are in place to prevent over-awards and establish safety nets are in place to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner.

Approves all aid for disbursement via the Ellucian Colleague FATR Process.

Coordinates with Student Accounts for compliant disbursement of all aid funds and is accountable for reconciliation of the Pell Grant and Loan programs, compliant administration of R2T4 calculations, and assist with the reconciliation of the state aid programs.

Oversees the management of entrance and exit loan counseling in accordance with federal regulations and keeps abreast of the latest methods of delivery.

Oversees management of the default prevention program and the vendor partner to ensure that the college is supporting borrowers in repayment effectively and minimizing defaults.

Oversees compliant administration of federal and institutional loan and grant programs.

Serves on various campus committees to ensure the college complies with federal regulations and that the needs of financial aid recipients, as well as the impact of college programs, policies, and procedures on this population, are considered.

Works with other Enrollment Services units, the Finance Office and other college units, as appropriate, to resolve student issues.

Maintains memberships and participates actively in appropriate organizations and attends conferences and regular training sessions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, business or related fields required. A minimum of five years' experience in financial aid required with at least two years in administration, and skills relevant to managing a comprehensive financial aid and scholarship program. Thorough understanding of federal Title IV law and regulations. Outstanding experience with COD related programs well as experience with the reconciliation and the COD reject resolution process. Expertise with Ellucian Colleague System financial aid modules or similar integrated system strongly desired. Superior technology knowledge and experience required; specific interest in financial aid-related technology strongly preferred. Other outstanding technology skills, including Microsoft Office, imaging technology, the Web, Site Executive, and content management systems. Ability to implement programs required. Superior critical thinking and data analysis required, including ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data and produce related reports, understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios, as well as experience with the review and evaluation of complex federal tax returns. Strong experience with using Excel for data analysis. Outstanding leadership and supervisory skills required, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment required. Experience with administration of federal aid programs required; experience with administering institutional programs strongly preferred. Prior experience in strategic planning and budget management strongly preferred. Outstanding organizational and people skills required, including customer service, public speaking, writing and the ability to communicate complex topics to a wide range of constituencies. Experience working with a wide range of units and a wide variety of staff and faculty (particularly finance and enrollment services departments) required. Prior experience with and participation in regional and national financial aid training workshops and conferences preferred. Service required on various committees.

Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required. Knowledge of all college policies and procedures concerning all aspects of Financial Aid Services preferred and knowledge of policies and procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Registration, Testing), other student services units and the Finance Office preferred. Knowledge of FERPA required. Extensive knowledge and experience with the Colleague and Perceptive Content systems preferred. Ability to learn, develop, implement, use, and train others in current and new computer applications. Knowledge of college personnel practices. Knowledge and ability to collaborate with various community constituencies, including public schools and others. Thorough knowledge of college and unit emergency operations.

The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, Common Manual for federal loans, The COD Technical Reference, The NSLDS User's Guide, SAIG Host Communication Guide, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and US DOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and SFA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality required.

Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Reports directly to the Director of Financial Aid Services. Responsible for the direct supervision of the Assistant Director of Program Administration and Technology, the Financial Aid Technical Analyst, and the Financial Aid Information Analyst. Oversees all aspects of the office in the director's absence.

Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of complex tasks with frequent interruptions. Evening hours required; occasional weekend hours required. This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility are an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods.

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.