The Manager, Financial Aid Programs provides leadership and day-to-day support for financial aid initiatives administered through federal, state, institutional, and private sources. The position focuses on compliance, operational reporting, and supervision of financial aid staff within an on-site environment in Philadelphia.
Role Overview
Assist the Financial Aid Office in managing financial aid programs across multiple funding sources, with responsibility for compliance oversight and operational support. Provide supervisory guidance to Financial Aid specialists and support staff, and support the delivery of accurate, timely services to students and related stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Financial Aid Office staff in administering financial aid programs, including federal, state, institutional, and private sources, and manage compliance activities for all financial aid programs.
- Provide supervisory leadership and guidance to Financial Aid specialists and support staff.
- Prepare standard reports to support operational needs of the Office of Financial Aid.
- Assist with processing administrative withdrawals and administrative full refund withdrawals.
- Conduct internal audit reviews of processed financial aid; provide required financial aid documentation to external auditors, including financial aid files, student withdrawal forms, account activity records, and other relevant materials.
- Act as backup for daily processing for the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Stafford Loan Program, Federal Work-study Program, outside scholarships, and Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Grant.
- Support processing and awarding of the PHEAA State Grant, including administration of eligibility requirements.
- Verify and lock financial aid files, including ensuring FAFSA information aligns with students’ tax return data and taking appropriate action.
- Perform administrative functions related to satisfactory academic progress appeals, including recording and notifying students of decisions.
- Counsel and educate students and parents regarding financial aid; support online FAFSA completion and advise students and parents about available alternatives, such as loans, scholarships, payment plans, and tuition remission, if applicable.
- Respond to student, parent, outside agency, and internal department inquiries via email and telephone.
- Attend departmental meetings and financial aid workshops to stay current on procedures and policy updates.
- Serve as a power user for the BANNER Financial Aid Module, collaborate with the Systems Analyst and Financial Aid teams, troubleshoot operational issues reported by financial aid staff, and review and reconcile data exception reports.
- Maintain sensitivity and respect within a diverse academic environment spanning students, faculty, and staff of varying backgrounds and perspectives.
- Provide professional, helpful, and courteous customer service to internal and external constituents.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
- Five (5) years of relevant experience in a financial aid leadership role, including prior supervisory experience.
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet.
- Demonstrated experience working with enterprise-wide systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid regulations.
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills across phone, face-to-face, and email.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude toward daily challenges and to process high volumes of work with accuracy.
- Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple simultaneous priorities and meet deadlines.
- Commitment to the mission of an urban community college.
- Ability to work as part of a team, model exceptional service for internal and external customers, and facilitate change.
Preferred Qualifications
- MS Access proficiency preferred.
- Banner experience preferred.
- Experience in and appreciation for a collective bargaining environment preferred.
Technologies
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Internet
- BANNER Financial Aid Module
- BANNER
- MS Access
Compensation and Location
Location: Philadelphia, PA (onsite). Salary: USD 59,660 - 98,439 per yearly.
Benefits
- Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at no cost (PPO buy-up plan available at a cost).
- College-paid life insurance and long-term disability.
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% College contribution when you contribute 5%.
- Vacation time: 23 paid vacation days (prorated based on hire date).
- Personal time: 22.5 hours annually (3 days, prorated based on hire date).
- Sick time paid at 100% with appropriate documentation.
- Paid bereavement leave.
- Paid holidays.
- Tuition remission (100%) for employees and eligible dependents.
- Forgivable Loan Program.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Additional perks include winter break, spring break, and summer hours (4-day workweek).
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, personal time, sick time, bereavement leave, and paid holidays.
References
If references are required as part of the application, provide your current supervisor and contact information for two previous supervisors. Community College of Philadelphia will not contact references until a contingent offer has been made. You will have the opportunity to alert your references and current employer prior to reference checks beginning.
