Associate Director of Financial Aid

The Associate Director of Financial Aid will report to the Director of Financial Aid and assist in managing and supervising the daily operations of the department/division in alignment with the business and strategic objectives of the University. The Associate Director will operate from a data-informed and equity-focused approach to enhance student access and enrollment in collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Assumes responsibility for assisting in the management of all facets of the Financial Aid operation and providing oversight for the administration of federal, state, institutional, and outside financial aid programs in accordance with all applicable regulations. The Associate Director will coordinate and manage all state programs to include SCTG, SC HOPE, LIFE, and Palmetto Fellows, oversee the awarding for incoming freshmen and transfers and the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, counsel and advise all students who are approved and denied, and conduct audits of state awards. Serves as Coordinator of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program and all scholarships from the Commission on Higher Education and accepts accountability for the actual transcript verification of eligibility which must be completed to request funding from the state agencies. The SCTG program has an estimated funding of $2.9 million and over 1100 students annually. The CHE programs have an estimated funding of $2.5 million and an estimated 550 students annually. Assists in the development of presentations related to student financial aid information and conduct workshops for staff, high schools, and the community. Performs other duties as required to support the mission of the University and to ensure 100% customer satisfaction.

Bachelor’s degree required and a Master’s degree with three years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in a college/university financial aid setting preferred. The successful candidate must possess an exceptional degree of professionalism and demeanor, trustworthiness and dependability, and absolute confidentiality. Must be able to interact effectively with individuals and groups from various social, economic, and educational backgrounds as well as a diverse population. Candidate must be knowledgeable of federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines governing student financial aid and applicable programs. Ability to perform need analysis and to award, verify and process student financial aid records, exercise excellent decisionmaking, and problem-solving skills is required. Must be able to work independently with minimum supervision, manage personnel and coordinate programs, develop and establish financial aid procedures and information, conduct training workshops, and work in a deadline driven environment. Excellent customer service, communication, (oral and written) and presentation skills are necessary to counsel and advise students, provide information to students, colleagues, and the campus community, and interact with Student Financial Aid professionals, agencies, and other stakeholders. Experience implementing Federal and State regulations pertaining to student financial aid and/or student employment is preferred. Experience with current higher education PowerFAIDS/Financial Aid Software, including but not limited to, Jenzabar, MS Office, COD, and NSDLS is strongly preferred