Director of Financial Aid

Duke University

  • Durham, NC
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 20 days ago
Duke University:Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARYThis position serves as the Financial Aid Director of the Sanford School and has oversight of all financial aid operations within the school's four graduate degree programs (MPP, MIDP, MNSP & EMPA). This position interacts with business-critical applications essential to effective student account management within these academic programs. This position reports to the Director of Finance.WORK PERFORMEDScholarship & Loan Management (60%)
  • Provide overall coordination and supervision of graduate financial aid processes including, but not limited to, reviewing, and verifying documentation/financial information submitted by international and domestic student applicants.
  • Evaluate all requests for eligibility, create financial aid award packages, and certify students in keeping with federal and state regulations, University endowment policies, and donor restrictions.
  • Create aid packages incorporating special government aid program funding such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, AmeriCorps funding, etc., and serve as the main Sanford contact for student/staff questions about these special programs.
  • Process FAFSA and institutional applications workflow; process Title IV calculations and determine returns for withdrawing students through Federal Student Aid (FSA) program.
  • In collaboration with academic program administration & the development office, align students with named fellowships and other restricted-use funding opportunities.
  • Assist and monitor dual degree transitions in student records as it relates to financial aid and tuition changes.
  • Chairs the Sanford Student Emergency Fund Committee
  • Work with the Duke University Student Loan Office regarding debt repayments.
  • Work with the Bursar and Registrar to make sure payments are issued correctly and proper award certificates are in place for each student.
  • Allocates federal work-study funding to students per school and university protocols.
  • Conduct regular audits and eligibility checks of student records and files to maintain accuracy and policy compliance to ensure compliance with University financial aid policies and federal financial aid laws and regulations.
  • Keep up to date on all federal and state changes that impact processing.
Financial Aid Advising (20%)
  • Develop clear and thorough financial aid information for dissemination to prospective and continuing students.
  • Advises students about financial aid eligibility; application procedures; available financial aid programs; educational costs; and financial management strategies, including loans, financing options, and other financial-aid related matters.
  • Conduct entrance and exit interviews and advise students regarding loan repayment policies and requirements.
  • Work with students to troubleshoot financial aid and account matters as needed.
  • Reviews all graduate student emergency funding concerns and connects students with relevant emergency funding opportunities.
  • Conduct financial aid presentations during admissions recruiting events and orientation as needed.
Administrative Systems (20%)
  • Prepare routine reports and compile information concerning financial aid as requested by the government and the University (National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), North Carolina Higher Education Data (NCHED), etc.).
  • Work with Student Information Services and Systems (SISS) Office and Slate annually on developing/updating the required export and import templates.
  • Collaborate with admissions & marketing staff on incoming class Slate data as it relates to financial aid offers and record maintenance.
  • Utilize PeopleSoft queries to monitor and manage student records in collaboration with the Registrar.
  • Manages student data within the Job X system to ensure timely & accurate payment disbursement.
  • Supervise the electronic imaging system for MPP applicants and for current students.
  • Represent Sanford at the University's Graduate and Professional (G&P) School's Financial Aid Group Meetings and at the G&P PeopleSoft User Group Meetings.
  • Represents Sanford with career industry groups as appropriate.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification.This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCESEducation/Training:Work requires analytical and communication skills generally acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program.Experience:Work requires three years of experience in administering student financial aid programs at a college, university or private school.OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCTION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following qualities/attributes:
  • Must be able to use the PeopleSoft database to process aid, loans, and manage student records.
  • Prefers candidates with experience in graduate financial aid and/or student affairs.
  • Experience with Slate & Microsoft Excel is strongly preferred.
  • Strong presentation abilities along with professional verbal and writing skills.
  • Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies.
  • Strong work ethic in a fast-paced, results-oriented team environment.
  • Ability to work with a diverse student population with varied educational backgrounds.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducationWork requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.ExperienceWork requires five years of experience in administering student financial aid programs at a college, university, or private school.OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke University