Primary Purpose/Scope

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid will be responsible for financial aid processing, customer service, and both general and individual communication regarding current and incoming traditional students. The role is to be performed in a way that is in harmony with the Christian principles and philosophy of Bluefield University.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities, And Functions

The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of the Assistant Director of Financial Aid include, but are not limited to, the following:

Administrative

Assists in supervising the coordinator/processor.
Creates and revise loan wraps, loan request forms and any other print material and submit to Director for review.
Provides Director copies of admissions reports, rosters, and grade reports at key points of semester, as requested.
Assists with training, hiring/firing, and evaluating the coordinator/processor.

Service

Counsels students and parents.
Provides telephone and e-mail customer service of traditional students.
Assists the Director with presentations, Open Houses, and other public relations activities.
Reviews entrance interviews and schedule & coordinate exit interviews.
Complies with FERPA requirements for confidentiality.
Exhibits a positive attitude.

Management & Policy

Develops and maintain detailed knowledge of federal and state regulations related to financial aid, including periodic reviews of the NASFAA, SASFAA & VASFAA websites.
Develops working knowledge of software programs associated with student financial aid and the university’s other administrative systems (Jenzabar & PowerFaids).
Cooperates with admissions counselors, business office staff, and other offices.
Monitors NASFAA Newsletter daily, report significant issues to Director.
Runs tracking status reports on traditional students, follows up as needed to continue movement of students through award, disbursement stages.
Assists the Director in making management and administrative policy decisions through research and networking.

Processing & Tracking

Awards traditional students, in accordance with federal/state regulations and BC policies.
Serves as back up to coordinator/processor on performing verifications.
Processes traditional loans, award, export, and monitor.
Oversees preparation and mailing of award letters, missing doc, other follow up letters.
Sends loan disbursement letters to students.
Monitors completion of online interviews and e-signatures for students.
Provides exit counseling sessions each December and April, oversee mailing of traditional exit packets at graduation and withdrawal.
Monitors completion of online interviews and e-signatures.
Determines Satisfactory Academic Progress for traditional students and notify Processor/Coordinator.
Compiles data as needed from info maker and report writer.
Assists in survey completion.
Coordinates with athletic coaches on packaging issues.
Tracks traditional student withdrawals, calculate refunds, perform return of funds.
Completes POE Setup in PowerFaids and Jenzabar.
Tracks student aid history through NSLDS.
Interprets university policies to employees and enforces safety regulations.
Complies with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Marginal Duties, Responsibilities, And Functions

Collaborates with online counselor for forms, supply inventory, brochures.
Serves as back-up to online Program Counselor as needed.
Prepares forms for DRS, ITO, other outside benefits for traditional students.
Works with Online Counselor on loan processing and disbursement.

Supervisory Duties, Responsibilities, And Functions

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid does not have any supervisory duties, responsibilities or functions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Education/Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor’s Degree is required. Experience in higher education is preferred.

A commitment to the university’s Mission.
A working knowledge of keyboarding and software applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and PowerPoint.
Excellent communication skills – by phone, in writing, and in person.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to work patiently with people, providing good customer service and promoting a positive work-environment.
A general knowledge of (or ability and willingness to learn) student financial assistance programs and Higher Education.

Ergonomic Requirements

Physical Demands

The position requires substantial time spent at a desk (telephone and computer work-station duties) but will also involve some physical activity such as walking to other locations on campus and distance driving to off-campus locations. Physical stress may be placed on hands, wrists, or eyes due to prolonged use of a computer. The individual should be able to perform job tasks without significant risk or personal injury, or otherwise demonstrate or explain how they can perform these essential functions listed above or listed in a particular position description.

Specialized Equipment Requirements

This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including telephones, personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

Working Conditions and Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions. This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The performance of the Assistant Director will be based on the ability to meet the program objectives as set forth by the Director of Financial Aid and on the individual’s ability to advance institutional objectives.

The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Ability to work effectively with university personnel, on and off campus.
Ability to communicate with and effectively assist students with financial aid problems.
Ability to fulfill job description requirements in a timely, effective, and accurate manner.

This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.

APPROVALS

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list. Additional duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload:

Letter of interest
Resume/CV
Three professional references
Personal statement of Christian faith.

Hard copy application materials may be sent to the Human Resources Department at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605.

Additional Information About Bluefield University Is Available At Www.bluefield.edu.

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to transform the world. We are looking to hire employees who will embrace this mission.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Bluefield University

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Assistant Director of Financial Aid