Director of Financial Aid

About the role

Chesapeake College is seeking a visionary Director of Financial Aid who can understand and interpret financial aid policy through the lens of student success. As a student-first institution, Chesapeake fosters a culture of care that is woven throughout all of our work and interactions. The Director of Financial Aid oversees the administration of all federal Title IV financial aid programs, Maryland State Scholarship programs, and institutional scholarship awards. The position is responsible for reconciling all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Financial Aid staff and advise colleagues, including the President and Vice Presidents, on interpretation of federal and state policy and its impact on Chesapeake College.
• Lead change college-wide on any substantial changes from state and federal policymakers.
• Download and upload all federal data from the EDE system as well as the Colleague system.
• Counsel students and parents on financial aid programs, eligibility, unusual circumstances, and hardships.
• Complete budget transfers and requisitions to pay office expenses; project office budget and expenditures.
• Maintain and balance federal, state, and institutional aid.
• Maintain a third-party scholarship database to assist students with identifying other sources of funds.
• Package and award eligible applicants; correspond with recipients for award notification.
• Calculate all returns of federal funds when students withdraw from classes.
• Write reports to extract data for communications management.
• Write policies and procedures pertaining to all federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Review all professional judgment and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.
• Conduct financial aid information sessions to various constituents.
• Verify financial aid applicants selected for verification.
• Maintain scholarship database for donors and recipients to produce reports for donors, Internal Auditor, President, Resource Development, and Public Relations.
• Compile and prepare all federal and state financial aid reports.
• Review scholarship applicants and make recommendations for award.
• Establish financial aid cost of attendance budgets and scholarship budgets.
• Present at high school award ceremonies; conduct financial aid information sessions at local high schools.
• Responsible for all Student Right to Know data regarding financial aid policies and procedures.
• Resolve technical errors in the EDE system; test all software updates before going live with the updates.
• Review Fall and Spring transmittals to find potential adjustments.
• Run and review status reports to determine changes in student aid packages.
• Adjust financial aid awards due to over-awards, changes in enrollment, revised need calculations.
• Oversee the distribution of financial aid marketing materials.
• Maintain the office budget and project aid expenditures.
• Test financial aid software updates within the Colleague system.
• Lead default-prevention efforts and support continuous improvement of financial aid operations.

Qualifications

• Successful candidates will bring a positive outlook, flexibility, and a strong combination of leadership, supervisory, budget management, regulatory compliance, and technology skills.
• Equally important are exceptional communication and public relations abilities, as the position requires extensive outreach, collaboration, and engagement with both internal and external stakeholders.

Work environment & physical requirements

• Most of the job is sedentary; however, occasional periods of light work may be required.
• Lifting to approximately 35 lbs. occasionally.
• The worker may be exposed primarily to indoor office conditions.
• Visual acuity appropriate for an administrative position.
• Hearing, grasping, pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching – occasionally.
• Climbing stairs – occasionally.
• Walking – frequently.
• Occasional travel may be required.