Assistant Director for Student Financial Planning - Graduate Operations

Under the guidance of the Director of Student Financial Planning, the Assistant Director provides leadership and supervision for our Graduate Student Financial Planning Counselor(s) to provide our graduate students with the necessary support and guidance on financing their HPU education. The Assistant Director is part of the department’s management team responsible for assisting with the continuous development, improvement, implementation, and management of graduate student financial aid policies and procedures to ensure proper operations that are compliant, efficient and effective.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher learning

Experience and Training:

• 3 years of experience in financial aid counseling at a post-secondary institution
• Experience with database management, system analysis, reporting, and data visualization preferably with a student software system such as Ellucian Colleague or Oracle.
• Prior management or leadership experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Comprehensive knowledge of rules and regulations governing financial aid programs, specifically graduate student programs.
• Ability to collect, research and resolve errors within systems, processes, data and reports.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and inter-team skills to foster a cohesive, effective internal team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills that include the ability to multi-task, prioritize work responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• High degree of professionalism in all relationships with other staff members, campus departments, outside agencies, and students/parents.
• Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, excellent organization and communication skills are essential.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Supervises, coaches, trains, and evaluates the work of the Graduate Student Financial Planning counselor(s)
• Assists the Director in ensuring the Office’s compliance with federal and state regulations and university policies with the awarding of financial assistance for graduate students.
• Maintains knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies in connection with our office’s function relating to graduate students.
• Provides necessary reports for proper operations within SFP, other departments, and external entities relating to graduate students.
• Completes federal and institutional verification and resolve ISIR comment codes for all graduate students in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Counsels and advises current and prospective graduate students on federal, state, and university financial assistance programs as well as information on alternative sources and methods of financing educational costs.
• Completes Schedule of Reduction calculations, Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations, and adjustments
• Processes all Federal SAP appeals for the graduate student population; collaborate with the Director as needed
• Assists the Director in the development and maintenance of the Policies & Procedures Manual and Operations Calendar
• Assist Director in maintaining and updating SFP’s publications
• Participates in annual system setup and testing
• Shares in providing leadership to maintain good working relationships with all departments throughout the University
• Participates in institutional events and present financial aid information during such events as needed, including nights and weekends
• Represents the University at state, regional, and national financial aid training workshops and conferences, when appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Associate Vice President.

For more information about this position, please contact Megan Inch, Associate Vice President for Student Accounts and Financial Planning at minch@highpoint.edu. or Katrenna Redd, Associate Director for Student Financial Planning at kredd@highpoint.edu.