Staff Job Openings
Job title:
FLSA Classification:
Reports to:
Director of Financial Aid
Exempt, On Campus
Executive Director of Financial Aid
Position goal:
The goal for each member of the USW campus community is to believe and live consistently by the principles of the mission of the University. The USW mission is as follows:
University of the Southwest is a Christ-centered educational community dedicated to developing men and women for a lifetime of servant leadership by emphasizing individual faith, responsibility, and initiative.
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Teaching at University of the Southwest adheres to belief in God, in the Bible as the inspired Word of God, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and in the separation of church and state.
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University of the Southwest strives for excellence in academic curriculum, campus life programming, and student activities in a supportive educational community where freedom of thought and expression is honored and the demonstration of faith in acts of service is encouraged.
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At University of the Southwest, students are instructed and mentored by a faculty and staff who demonstrate Christ-centered values and maintain an environment where students can live and work cooperatively, valuing the multiple cultures from which they came.
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As a community of initiative, University of the Southwest challenges graduates to become enterprising members of our society contributing to the common good by advocating and participating in the productive commerce of free enterprise, the constitutional privilege of self-government, and the practical contributions of community service.
Position Summary:
The Director of Financial Aid will assist the Executive Director of Financial Aid while also articulate university and federal financial policies and procedures to new and returning students. The Director of Financial Aid also provides counsel and assistance to students in the process of completing their financial aid applications while helping students to explore their various aid and loan options. The Director of Financial Aid works in cooperation with the financial aid team in order to complete daily, weekly, and monthly processes, reporting and reconciliation requirements, annual audit preparation, various required reports/surveys, etc.
Essential Functions:
Assist the Executive Financial Aid Director develop and foster an environment that encourages staff development and professional customer service within department while ensuring the university is in compliance with federal, state and accreditation agency regulations.
Assist the Executive Financial Aid Director in the preparation and submission of federal, state and agency reporting, such as Federal Application to Participate and Fiscal Operations Reports (FISAP), IPEDS, Common Data Set, Year-End Reconciliation, and Annual audit.
Maintain confidentiality of private information according to procedures, rules, and statutes
Advise and counsel students and parents on eligibility requirements for federal, state and institutional aid
Assist students in estimating their educational expenses, calculating their needs for the year and preparing a financial aid plan
Review financial aid applications; perform needs analysis in order to determine need for both undergraduate and graduate students
Ensure compliance with all financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations when reviewing financial aid applications
Responsible for processing applications, administering and managing all financial aid programs including Federal, State, and Institutional aid programs. This includes but is not limited to:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application
Loan Entrance/Exit Counseling and Master Promissory Note
Federal Pell Grants, New Mexico Student Incentive Grants, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Work-Study – Federal and New Mexico
Internal and External Scholarships
Direct Federal Loans
Private Alternative Education Loans
Return to Title IV Funds
Perform application verification
Resolve customer conflicts/complaints
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Skip-Trace
Bureau of Indian Affairs forms
HUD/SNAP/TRIO/Misc. forms
Complete daily processes: Department of Education/Colleague Imports, Institutional Student Information Report and Records, and Student Financial Aid Packaging of financial awards
Complete weekly required reports: Award Eligibility Verification, Batch Financial Aid Transmittal Register, and Enrollment Report
Complete monthly required reports: Direct Loan Common Origination and
Disbursement Website Reject Report, Direct Loan Variance Report, Common Origination and Disbursement Website Pending Loan and Pell Report
Complete end of semester required reports: Stop-out, Withdrawals, SAP
Be proactive in the onboarding of students to achieve a great student experience
Assist with self-service questions
Explain how FA is typically awarded
Explain financial disbursement in relation to billing charges, refunds, and credits
Assist with answering general refund related questions
Assist the business office personnel to regards to Financial Aid items and account collections
Reach out to students prior to term regarding due dates and pending items
Other responsibilities:
Attends meetings in order to stay current on financial aid processes, federal regulations, and campus updates
Observes USW vacation blackout dates
Performs other related duties as assigned
Participates in campus activities.
Education, experience, & skills required:
Attends meetings in order to stay current on financial aid processes, federal regulations, and campus updates
Observes USW vacation blackout dates
Performs other related duties as assigned
Participates in campus activities.
Applications should be submitted via email to Veronica Torrez (vtorrez@usw.edu).