Assistant/Associate Director of Student Financial Services, Systems Specialist
Colby College
Waterville, ME
Full-time
Finance
Posted on March 31, 2024
Job Description
Department:
Financial Planning and Budget
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:
The Office of Student Financial Services seeks an assistant/associate director of student financial services to join a team of professionals responsible for providing financial services to all enrolled students. The primary responsibilities for this position include helping students meet the financial obligations of a Colby education by fully understanding billing and aid policies and reviewing aid application documents to determine the family contribution and financial aid package. The position serves as the liaison with system management in such capacity will (1) assist with the continuous improvement of the student financial management systems so that the College maximizes design specifications as well as modifications to existing functionality with Student Financial Services, (2) provide in-department financial management systems support (PowerFaids (including Net Partner), Jenzabar/ WorkDay, Sprintax, Academic Works, Transact, document tracking system) as it relates to financial aid administration and student accounts, (2) work closely with IT to implement and test upgrades of PowerFaids, Jenzabar/WorkDay, Transact, Sprintax and other systems utilized by SFS (3) provide training and support to SFS users if needed, (4) assist students and parents in the application process for federal and institutional financial aid and (7) read financial aid applications and aid appeals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Systems
This position interacts with students, parents, faculty and staff, and outside constituencies.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Lifting up to 30 lbs. may be necessary.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
Department:
Financial Planning and Budget
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:
The Office of Student Financial Services seeks an assistant/associate director of student financial services to join a team of professionals responsible for providing financial services to all enrolled students. The primary responsibilities for this position include helping students meet the financial obligations of a Colby education by fully understanding billing and aid policies and reviewing aid application documents to determine the family contribution and financial aid package. The position serves as the liaison with system management in such capacity will (1) assist with the continuous improvement of the student financial management systems so that the College maximizes design specifications as well as modifications to existing functionality with Student Financial Services, (2) provide in-department financial management systems support (PowerFaids (including Net Partner), Jenzabar/ WorkDay, Sprintax, Academic Works, Transact, document tracking system) as it relates to financial aid administration and student accounts, (2) work closely with IT to implement and test upgrades of PowerFaids, Jenzabar/WorkDay, Transact, Sprintax and other systems utilized by SFS (3) provide training and support to SFS users if needed, (4) assist students and parents in the application process for federal and institutional financial aid and (7) read financial aid applications and aid appeals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Systems
- Continuously review system set-up to ensure maximum utilization based on departmental needs.
- Validate data as needed.
- Address system performance gaps and make recommendations for improvement.
- Assist with the development and implementation of system bridges and integrations.
- Actively participate in the reconciliations of systems to improve timely, reporting and information processing.
- Seek efficiencies in reporting for internal and external needs.
- Write and generate reports, ad-hoc and standing to support operations, quality control, troubleshooting and compliance.
- Test patches and upgrades.
- Ensure Departmental compliance with data security laws, GBLA, Privacy Act, FERPA, and HEA including by not limited to financial aid application processing.
- Collaborate with ITS to ensure effective management of existing financial aid and billing software systems as well as the implementation of new software.
- Work closely with IT and create/maintain a log of all SFS requests and expected completion of each item.
- Assist students and parents in the application process for federal and institutional financial aid.
- Provide counseling to students and parents related to financial aid awards, student account information and paying out-of-pocket expenses.
- Analyze and verify financial aid documents to ensure compliance with federal verification, keeping abreast of programs change.
- Read financial aid applications, knowledgeable in FM and IM.
- Perform need analysis to determine the financial strength of the applicant's family, exercising professional judgement as situations dictate.
- Resolve discrepancies.
- Identify any information.
- Add overrides or allowances to income or assets consistent with prior year or as otherwise noted.
- Summarize EFC determination with any special treatment include College aid initiatives that may be applicable to applicant.
- Package federal and institutional aid awards compliant with federal and state regulations and consistent with institutional policies.
- Review prior year aid package if applicable to assess any renewal of aid funds.
- Ensure aid package meets calculated need.
- Perform dynamic redetermination to update Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Student Loan eligibility.
- Lock any eligibility difference should the default calculation fail.
- Reviews individual student cases to ensure accuracy and compliance with all federal and institutional regulations and policies, including verifying tax information, and other necessary supporting documentation gathered through the financial aid application process as well making any necessary updates to Federal system.
- Update and maintain student insurance collaborating with assistance director of student accounts and 3rd party insurance servicers (Cross Agency and Wellfleet).
- Monitor integration between SIS and secondary systems.
- Assist with the review of student employment awards and student employment earnings.
- Assist students and parents in the application process for federal and institutional financial aid.
- Provide counseling related to students and parents related to financial aid awards and paying out-of-pocket expenses.
- Read financial aid applications, knowledgeable in FM and IM.
- Provide back-up support to SFS team when needed.
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Degree requirement may be substituted with equivalent work experience.
- Technical experience in Powerfaids, Workday, federal aid a plus.
- 3-years' experience with applications systems, preferably Financial Aid related application systems.
- System design, analysis, implementation, and process testing experience.
- Exemplifies high level of customer services in answering all student and parent inquiries pertaining to a student's billing and financial aid experience.
- Technical experience in financial aid management systems, specifically PowerFaids.
- Detail oriented.
- Ability to troubleshoot and recommend solutions.
This position interacts with students, parents, faculty and staff, and outside constituencies.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Lifting up to 30 lbs. may be necessary.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
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