Asst Director of Financial Aid Services, Compliance

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

This position supports the director in ensuring Colleague processing complies with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies. It involves assisting with compliance, strategic planning, budget development, enrollment management, emergency preparedness, and statistical data management. The role includes enhancing financial aid operations, auditing the Colleague Data System for Title IV and other funding, and ensuring office and system compliance. The position collaborates with FAS leadership to implements new processes, develop training modules, and communicate financial aid regulations. It is crucial for maintaining federal compliance and involves supervising the office supervisor and part-time staff.

Assists the director with strategic planning and budgeting processes for the FAS office as well as federal, state, and institutional funding sources

Assists the director with identifying and maintaining internal controls to ensure that financial aid is awarded and disbursed, accurately.

Assists the director with reviewing, interpreting, and implementing new federal and state laws and regulations.

Conducts internal audits on all aspects of the student eligibility and notification process, processing (manual and automated processes), disbursements and all related record keeping.

Coordinates cross-departmental training programs and assists with the development of broader professional training programs for FAS staff members (new and seasoned).

Assists the director and works closely with the Public Relations and Marketing unit to develop office publications.

Collaborates with the FAS leadership regarding federal programs processing and reconciliation to ensure federal programs are reconciled accurately and timely.

Serves on various committees across campus to ensure that federal regulations and expectations are met by the college and that the needs of financial aid students and the impact of various college programs, policies and procedures for this population are considered.

Responsible for the implementation, review and update of the financial aid policies and procedures manual, as well as the college website. Ensuring compliance with Dept. of Education and accrediting agencies.

Assist the director with data requests and reporting, as needed.

Assists with the Return of Title IV process, as needed. Ensures that calculations are completed accurately and timely.

Works with other Enrollment Services units, the Finance Office and other college units, as appropriate, to resolve student issues.

Works closely with the Howard Hub manager to provide support and training.

Supervises the office manager and part-time staff members.

Oversees the student inquiry system (TeamDynamics), the ACD phone system, and the document intake process.

Maintains memberships and participates actively in appropriate organizations and attends conferences and regular training sessions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Formal Education, Courses, Training Programs, and Experience
Master's degree in higher education administration, business or related fields is required A minimum of five years of experience in financial aid required with at least two years in administration, or a combination of education, experience and skills relevant to managing a comprehensive financial aid and scholarship programs. Thorough understanding of federal Title IV law and regulations. Outstanding experience with COD related programs well as experience with the reconciliation and the COD reject resolution process. Expertise with Ellucian Colleague System financial aid modules or similar integrated system strongly desired. Superior technology knowledge and experience required; specific interest in financial aid-related technology strongly preferred. Other outstanding technology skills, including Microsoft Office, imaging technology, the Web, Site Executive, and content management systems. Proven ability to implement programs required. Superior critical thinking and data analysis required, including ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data and produce related reports, understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios, as well as experience with the review and evaluation of complex federal tax returns. Outstanding leadership and supervisory skills required, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment required. Experience with administration of federal aid programs required; experience with Maryland State Scholarship programs strongly preferred. Prior experience in strategic planning and budget management strongly preferred. Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills required, including customer service, public speaking, writing and the ability to communicate complex topics to a wide range of constituencies. Experience working with a wide range of units and a wide variety of staff and faculty (particularly finance and enrollment services departments) required. Prior experience with and participation in regional and national financial aid training workshops and conferences preferred. Service required on various committees.

Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures
Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required. Knowledge of all college policies and procedures concerning all aspects of Financial Aid Services and the college's Pay for College initiative. Knowledge of policies and procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Reg., Testing), other student services units and the Finance Office preferred. Knowledge of FERPA required. Extensive knowledge and experience with Colleague and ImageNow systems preferred. Knowledge of the ability to benefit processes. Outstanding abilities with the Internet, Adobe, all forms of online financial aid processing, the college network, querying software telephone system and web applications required. Ability to learn, develop, implement, use, and train others in current and new computer applications. Knowledge of college personnel practices. Knowledge and ability to work with various community constituencies, including the public schools and others. Thorough knowledge of college and unit emergency operations.

Specialized Publications and Resource Materials
The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, Common Manual for federal loans, The COD Technical Reference, The NSLDS User's Guide, SAIG Host Communication Guide, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and US DOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and SFA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality required.
Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of numerous complex tasks with frequent interruptions. Evening hours required; occasional weekend hours required. This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility is an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods.

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.