Job Description

Located in Redmond, Washington, DigiPen Institute of Technology is a small college that offers undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science, Game Design, Digital Audio and Music, and Digital Art and Animation, as well as Master’s degree programs in Computer Science and Digital Art. DigiPen Institute of Technology has been ranked one of the top 10 game design schools in the country by the Princeton Review for more than a decade. To learn more, visit: https://www.digipen.edu/

Position Title: Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Reports to: Molly Walsh

Department: Office of Financial Aid

Purpose Statement

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid reports to the Director of Financial Aid and supports the mission of the Office of Financial Aid by helping students and prospective students locate and utilize resources to fund their education at the institution while adhering to regulatory requirements. Candidates have the possibility of working a hybrid schedule after the training period.

Essential Functions

• Manage weekly processing schedule and assigning Advisor of the Day duties.
• Monitors and implements policies and processes that ensure departmental and institutional adherence to federal, state, and college financial aid regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Develops and manages staff training calendar.
• Manage Transfer Monitoring process.
• Manage and oversee coordination of Private Loan processing in ELM
• Develop and monitor Internal Controls; assists with the development of internal controls reports in Argos.
• Manage Internal Audit Process
  • General Audit
  • Document Audit
  • Summer Audit
  • VA Audit
• Manage Verification processes, policies, and internal audit
• Manage and maintain institution’s financial aid website in conjunction with Marketing and Communications Office
• Oversee & train new program manager duties for Veteran's Administration.
• Manage Internship monitoring and compliance with federal regulations.
• Serves as dual control and backup for key responsibilities of the Director of Financial Aid.
• Performs the following data management duties: manages and analyzes data in a manner that facilitates compliance monitoring, accurate reporting and record-keeping, and develops standard and ad-hoc reports as needed.
• Performs the following systems analyst duties: develops new processes or adjusts current processes to address concerns of efficiency and compliance, creates tracking tools that monitor adherence to compliance, and troubleshoots problems with computer systems.
• Manages and reconciles Campus-Based Program funds. Also, completes and submits the corresponding FISAP (Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate) report to the Department of Education.
• Provide training and guidance to team regarding regulatory guidelines, internal policy and procedures, student files and special cases.
• Performs financial aid advisor functions for a small assigned group of students. This duty includes making financial aid eligibility determinations, awarding/packaging financial aid funds, certifying student loan applications, making financial aid packaging adjustments, processing budget adjustments, monitoring incomplete/missing/renewal loan applications, completing verification processes, completing professional judgement determinations, making C-Flag eligibility determinations, tracking the submission of financial aid documentation, auditing student files, and meeting with the assigned students as needed/requested.
• Counsels prospective and current students/families regarding the availability of funding sources, financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, packaging policies, costs, billing process, indebtedness, debt management, and financial planning.
• Provides excellent service to students, their families, and other departments. This requires interactions that are calm and gracious under difficult situations, along with the capability of explaining complex and confusing regulations.
• Meet with stakeholders on campus to perform cross-functional collaboration to address issues that impact Financial Aid processes and institutional eligibility.
• Represents the department at special events such as Open House, Accepted Open House, and Information Sessions etc.
• Assists with other projects as needed.
• Assists with federal, state, VA, and accrediting agency audits
• Attends off-site training conference workshops as needed
• Update financial aid office publications.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis in Business, Accounting, or related degree or equivalent of years in experience.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in a high-volume, customer-oriented financial aid office with extensive personal computer experience.
• Must be punctual; be able to work with constant interruptions and pressure of deadlines, and willing to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Must enjoy working with the public; be able to relate well to college students, faculty, and staff.
• Professional conduct committed to student-focused service and ability to work in an environment demanding confidentiality are required.
• Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team to reach goals.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills that transcend diverse audiences.
• Working knowledge of the financial aid regulations associated with the Department of Education, accrediting bodies, and state and federal regulatory agencies is required.
• Knowledge of state and federal financial aid systems in PC computing environment (EDE, COD, NSLDS, EFT Processing, Online, FAA Access)
• Advanced skills in spreadsheet and word processing software programs.
• Ability to quickly comprehend and execute new computer programs.
• Knowledge of financial aid terminology and needs analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret government regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related discipline
• Previous management experience in higher education

Compensation range: $78,000 to $81,000 per year

Benefits:

• Dental, medical, and vision (begins the first of the month following 60 days of employment)
• Two weeks of vacation in the first year, with increasing accrual each year thereafter
• 14 paid holidays
• An additional paid week off between Christmas and New Years
• 401K after one year FT service, match vested immediately
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance after one year
• Free DigiPen tuition for yourself to start; discounts for family after one year
• Complimentary soda, coffee, and tea
• Free campus parking

Working Environment:

This job is typically done in an office environment and includes sitting and working at a computer, as well as periods of standing and walking. May occasionally need to lift up to 50 lbs.

Upon accepting an offer of employment with us, the candidate will receive an invitation for a required background check and 5-panel drug screen as a part of the hiring process.

Equal opportunity is a priority of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as the institution is committed to fostering a positive learning environment for all. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.