Financial Aid Supervisor

About the Role

Under the direction of an administrator, plan, organize, and direct the overall operation of the Financial Aid Office on a community college campus. Train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the Financial Aid Office, responsible for administering state and federal programs that award grants, loans, and work-study aid to students.
• Update and maintain Federal and State Program Participation Agreements.
• Interpret, apply, and communicate federal, state, and institutional laws, rules, and regulations relevant to financial aid, district policies and procedures, and collective bargaining procedures.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; provide technical direction and guidance; make employment, transfer, and promotion recommendations.
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the annual budget for areas of responsibility; research and approve expenditures for services, supplies, and equipment according to established fiscal policies.
• Advise and maintain contract compliance with third-party vendors.
• Ensure the maintenance of accurate financial aid records and files; ensure accountability and reconciliation of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid funds, including Pell, FSEOG, Cal Grant B, Cal Grant C, Federal Work-Study, Board of Governors Fee Waiver, Direct Student Loans, Alternative Loans, and manage the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) process.
• Oversee financial aid information systems and web applications used in student needs analysis, awards, and records; train staff in the use of various systems and applications for financial aid administration.
• Assist with conversion to new management information systems pertaining to Financial Aid, including evaluation and implementation of applications; troubleshoot computer information systems problems and resolve with software vendors, IT specialists, and programmers.
• Request and monitor security access for employees for institutional, state, and federal systems; monitor and maintain web information using content management systems.
• Prepare Financial Aid policy and procedures manual and update annually; evaluate processes and procedures and implement improvements.
• Coordinate campus scholarship programs.
• Perform program management duties, including procedures necessary to properly package and award financial aid; analyze student applications and verify eligibility in compliance with applicable institutional, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.
• Assist in disseminating information regarding changes in policy or procedures that may impact the institution’s ability to participate in Title IV Programs and the institution’s fiscal liabilities.
• Manage program funds; prepare budgets and disbursement program guidelines; account and report proper expenditures of financial aid funds such as BFAP and general funds.
• Monitor satisfactory academic performance of aid recipients; apply probation and disqualification policies and procedures as applicable.
• Review correspondence from students with unusual problems and resolve as appropriate; interview and advise students regarding financial aid matters.
• Oversee loan default management and financial literacy; manage and implement various student appeals processes as appropriate.
• Formulate, implement, and evaluate office procedures; develop, implement, and evaluate Student Services Learning Outcomes for the unit.
• Develop, implement, and assess educational master plans and perform program reviews and unit plans for the financial aid office.
• Provide financial aid statistical data for institutional research purposes.
• Act as a liaison to the District to develop and implement district-wide standards of operation for financial aid; coordinate with a variety of other college departments to ensure timely processing of financial aid and to disseminate program information.
• Develop and conduct in-reach and outreach activities to inform schools, students, and the community of financial aid opportunities in an effort to meet diverse students' financial aid needs.
• Attend meetings, workshops, and conferences relating to financial aid; represent the college to other educational institutions and community organizations.
• Collaborate and coordinate certificate program reporting and gainful employment with instructional administrators.
• Manage and monitor high-security information; engage in district and college participatory governance through service on planning and/or operational committees and task forces.
• Collaborate with federal, state, and institutional auditors; assist investigators in identifying and resolving fraud.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Four years of experience in financial aid operations, including one year in a lead or supervisory capacity; OR three years' experience at the LRCCD Financial Aid Officer level or its equivalent; OR five years of experience in a social/public service agency with one year of lead responsibilities.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working with computerized information systems is desirable.

Candidates must have an equity-minded focus, responsiveness, and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, including those with physical or learning disabilities, as it relates to differences in learning styles. Candidates must successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment.

Experience Requirement: One year of experience is equal to 12 months of experience at 40 hours per week. Applicable part-time experience will be converted to the full-time equivalent for purposes of meeting the experience requirement.

Education Requirement: One year of education is equal to 30 semester units. Education must be from an accredited institution.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package, including medical insurance and CalPERS retirement.
• Opportunities for additional insurance and financial investments.
• Full-time, twelve-month LRSA employees receive 18 days of annual paid holidays, 21 days’ vacation yearly, and 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Professional development opportunities with the district and financial support and/or paid time off to complete external academic studies.

Eligibility for benefits requires a regular employee position with a permanent assignment of 0.50 FTE or greater. To calculate FTE: (hours per week ÷ 40) × (months worked ÷ 12).