Description

Essential Duties 

• Administers, leads, implements, plans, and evaluates all operations and activities within the Financial Aid Office.
• Interprets federal, Veterans Administration (VA), and state policies on student financial aid programs and ensures compliance with federal, VA, and state regulations.
• Administers the disbursement and reconciliation of federal, VA, state, continuing education, and institutional aid programs, including requesting and returning funds.
• Completes federal, state, VA, and institutional reporting requirements.
• Implements and maintains electronic communication with the Department of Education and other agencies as needed, including submitting and receiving aid applications, corrections, payment data, and other records.
• Maintains a system to ensure confidentiality and storage of student records according to federal, VA, state and institutional guidelines.
• Initiates and performs the annual setup of Colleague (soFftware by Ellucian) for financial aid processing and prepares annual financial aid forms.
• Develop consumer information on financial aid.
• Develops and maintains the Financial Aid Procedures Manual.
• Compiles statistical data and reports to evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency of financial aid programs and to generate program changes or additions.
• Supervises, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned staff.
• Coordinates FAFSA events and financial aid presentations to college departments, area high schools, prospective/current students, and the community.
• Counsels students on the financial aid processes, requirements, and issues, ensuring quality service to students, families, and other constituents.
• Coordinates with other departments on campus, especially the Business Office, Registrar’s Office, Admissions and Records, Continuing Education, VGCC Foundation, and Student Learning & Success Center.
• Attends professional development activities to stay abreast of any regulation changes. Participates in strategic planning and submits any related reports.
• Submits budget recommendations and administers the budget appropriation assigned to the Financial Aid Office
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice-President of Student Access and Support and/or Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement and Success.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in business, public administration, accounting, education, or a related field.
• Three to five years of professional experience in higher education financial aid.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work under continual deadlines requiring great attention to detail while managing competing responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, public administration, accounting, education, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with the student information system, Colleague, used by the North Carolina Community College System.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in a North Carolina Community College.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
• Minimum of five years of recent professional experience in higher education financial aid, including demonstrated expertise in financial aid programs and regulations.

Physical Demands

• Normal office environment including sitting and/or standing for prolonged periods.
• Duties may require intermittent light physical effort in carrying, lifting, or moving lightweight materials or equipment (up to 25 pounds).