| The Financial Aid Program Manager provides programmatic and operational oversight for one or more large and complex financial aid programs within the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. This includes federal, state or other financial aid programs such as Pell Grant, Direct Loans, TEACH Grants, Return of Title IV Funds, Minnesota State Grants, Work Study, Verification, Student Aid Budget Development, Student Aid Awarding, or Satisfactory Academic Progress. This position reports to the Associate Director and contributes to the timely and accurate delivery of financial aid to students and complies with all federal, state, University and other applicable financial aid regulations. The Program Manager serves as a functional expert to the financial aid leadership team, One Stop Student Services and other University departments for in-depth program-specific issues.
Responsibilities:
Administration of core financial aid programs (70%) - Oversee business processes using integrated computer information systems (i.e. PeopleSoft, COD, NSLDS).
- Interpret a wide range of policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Create, update, and audit processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with financial aid regulations (Federal, State, University, or other outside agencies.)
- Recommend policy and practice changes based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Identify systematic issues and make recommendations for system enhancements as a result of problem analysis or new financial aid requirements.
- Independently identify, manage, report, and resolve issues associated with Financial Aid services.
- Maintain program records to meet the Financial Aid Office's audit requirements.
- Write and maintain effective documentation and training manuals.
- Develop reports and other supporting materials as requested.
Collaboration and Leadership (30%) - Serve as functional expert for any issues related to program-specific areas of responsibility.
- Advise, analyze, problem-solve, and resolve questions and issues for all clients.
- Serve as primary liaison with One Stop counselors for all managed program responsibilities.
- Offer proactive and on-the-spot diagnostic support and problem resolution.
- Participate in business process discussion, system testing and maintenance of complex enterprise information systems to ensure accurate financial aid records and services.
- Collaborate with other financial aid professionals at the University and Federal and State Agencies to maintain program integrity and resolve issues.
- Represent the Financial Aid Office on University committees, make recommendations for policy and practice changes based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Counsel students and parents referred by One Stop on issues that are in-depth and are program-specific.
- Explain and train others on a wide range of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Assign work and provide direction to others.
Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned. |
