Under the general direction and supervision of the Administrative Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director of Financial Aid (UPWARD) is primarily responsible for providing a wide range of financial aid counseling, processing, and support services to students who are seeking financial aid assistance while incarcerated in a Nebraska correctional facility and who are enrolled in Southeast Community College’s Correctional Education Program (UPWARD). This position interprets, processes, administers, and enforces institutional, state, and federal student aid policies and regulations. The successful candidate must be able to work inside the correctional institutions in which Southeast Community College delivers its educational programs to incarcerated students.

The Associate Director of Financial Aid (UPWARD) will be directly supervised by the Administrative Director of Financial Aid and will work closely with the Dean of Correctional Education and UPWARD staff. The successful applicant must be able to pass and maintain clearance through the Nebraska Department of Corrections to enter their facilities. Work schedules (hours/days/work location) are scheduled by the Southeast Community College based upon the needs of the College. The usual work hours for this position are generally scheduled between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Friday, requiring a minimum of a 40-hour workweek. This is a full-time regular position.

Southeast Community College offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including, but not limited to: medical/dental insurance, 403(b) retirement with college matching contribution, vision insurance, flexible spending account, and tuition reimbursement. Southeast Community College also offers extensive leave plans. In addition, Southeast Community College makes available to all full-time employees the use of “Ben Dollars” (cash-in-lieu potential for certain coverage levels) to cover medical and dental premiums.

• Ability to provide support and financial aid counseling to incarcerated students with diverse backgrounds.

• Manages the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

• Manages the Federal Pell Grant Program, including
  • • Verification of student eligibility
    • Review supporting documentation required to complete the student’s FAFSA application
    • Upload documents to the College’s imaging system and the financial aid network drive in accordance with federal and institutional policies Determine Pell Grant and institutional awards
    • Release funds for disbursement to the Business Office for student institutional charges
    • Manages the student Pell Grant award for reporting purposes, including submission of origination and disbursement records to COD, problem-solving errors and other delays with reporting, reconciliation of funds between Colleague, COD, and the Business Office, and verifying the completion of the annual closeout process in compliance with federal regulations.

   

• Monitors financial aid awards for compliance and adjusts awards as necessary to prevent over-awards.

• Runs Billing Batch Export on financial aid funds that need to be posted to student accounts. Generate all financial aid correspondence to students

• Monitors each student to ensure financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards are met. Serves as a member of the SAP committee to review and make decisions on financial aid SAP appeals.

• Completes all Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations in a timely manner, ensuring the return of unearned funding, and sending required communication to students and Student Accounts staff.

• Evaluate, establish, implement, and document policies and procedures that reflect institutional or regulatory changes related to areas of responsibility.

• Attends annual conferences and/or webinars to stay current with the rules and regulations of financial aid.

• Ensures that all regulations and policies of ED and Southeast Community College are followed.

• Support functions of Enrollment Management with recruitment and retention initiatives

• Use professional judgment to determine if documented unusual circumstances warrant adjustments in student eligibility

• Provide training and guidance to UPWARD staff in advising students, parents, and other interested parties regarding the types of financial aid programs available, program requirements, program requirements, and responsibilities, and application procedures

• Participate with state, regional, and national student financial aid organizations and associations

• Keep informed of changes in statutes, regulations, and guidelines for student financial aid

Work toward creating a welcoming, inclusive, equitable, and productive work and learning environment, where all students, faculty members, and college employees are valued and may contribute to their full potential, regardless of their differences. Make concerted efforts to implement accessible and inclusive practices and processes aimed at creating a diverse and equitable learning and work environment. Commit to fostering and maintaining a safe environment of respect and inclusion for students, employees, and members of the community, and promote and support the College’s policies and programming related to access, fair employment, EEO, equity, inclusion, and diversity.

• Represent the campus financial aid office at local, state, and national conferences.

• Serve on campus committees and teams.

• Provide information and assistance to students, prospective students, and parents about the availability and application process of financial aid.

• Must be able to work effectively under stressful situations and still maintain a cordial, positive, and professional demeanor.

• Perform other related duties within the division/program as assigned.

• May be required to perform associated duties, functions, or assignments in other divisions/programs/areas as required.

• Perform other College functions and duties as assigned.

• Must be able to work varied days, hours, shifts, locations, and campuses as required. Work schedules (hours/days/work location) are scheduled by Southeast Community College based on the needs of the College. Work hours, shifts, days, and work locations may vary depending on the needs of Southeast Community College and are subject to modification. Emergency or scheduled special activities may require hours outside of the regular workweek.

• Knowledge of federal and institutional programs that provide financial assistance to incarcerated students.

• Knowledge of pertinent laws, rules, and regulations such as Federal Title IV regulations.

• Ability to obtain volunteer clearance with the Nebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS)

• Planning and organizational skills.

• Experience with various software programs and data systems as they relate to financial aid.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Interpersonal skills, including tact, patience, and courtesy.

• Ability to provide support to incarcerated students with culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Interpret Federal financial aid regulations and determine the appropriate course of action.

• Ability to monitor and award federal financial aid programs.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and College administration.

• Possess and maintain a current, valid Driver’s License

• Ability to qualify for auto insurance coverage

• Ability to travel to all correctional education facilities

• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Mobility is occasionally required.

• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing, in person, and on the phone.

• Ability to use basic computer skills.

• The individual must possess the above skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Bachelor’s Degree* in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Two (2) years of professional experience** at a post-secondary level in financial aid, fiscal services, related areas of student services, or related work experience in a financial institution or business office.

• Ability to obtain volunteer clearance with the Nebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS)

• Possess and maintain a current, valid Driver’s License

• Ability to qualify for auto insurance coverage

 

• Associate’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field and four (4) years of professional experience

** in secondary or post-secondary financial aid, fiscal services, related areas of student services, or related work experience in a financial institution or business office may be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree.

• Work experience as a post-secondary financial aid director or assistant director.

• Experience working with Incarcerated Individuals.

• Education and work experience related to business education and accounting.