Position Title: Assc Dir, Fin Aid Scholarships
Employee Classification: Assc Dir,Financial Aid
College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management
Department: 521040-UNIV FIN AID & SCHOLARSHIP SVCS
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: 59,965.78
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt
Summary: The University Financial Aid and Scholarship Services department at NMSU is seeking an Associate Director, Financial Aid Scholarships to manage and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies governing scholarships, including NCAA regulations when applicable.
Classification Summary:
Manages and administers financial aid programs for students, including staff and resource management, reports and program reviews, compliance with university and funding agency requirements, and student financial aid applications and counseling.
Classification Standard Duties:
Oversees the operations of the unit, ensuring compliance with the University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations. Initiates contact with at-risk students. Provides information to enhance academic skills and/or provide intervention to keep them enrolled. Compiles and monitors data from intervention contacts to analyze for patterns of reasons for student attrition.Develops and monitors operating budget, prepares back-up budget documentation and provides fiscal direction to the unit. Oversees schedules of staff and tutors at four campus locations. Monitors subject matter offered. Attends DACC and NMSU committee meetings. Oversees the supervision of personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion and enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Assists in developing and coordinating the technical aspects of the administration of scholarship and/or non-scholarship student financial aid programs; Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, projects and short and long range planning to accomplish goals. Represents the organization in the community; promotes programs and/or policies. Maintains the Banner Financial Aid system including: coordination with ITS for the installation and testing of releases and patches and the oversight, testing and maintenance of modules. Oversees the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) Stafford/PLUS Loan program and interfaces with the New Mexico Student Loan Corporation and other guarantors. Coordinates financial aid disbursement with the Bursar and Accounts Receivable offices. May administer accounting, reporting, and funding levels for specific programs, coordinate audits and program reviews, coordinate public information and outreach programs, and develop sources of financial aid at the state and national levels. May manage specialized databases and personal computer networks; may produce specialized statistical reports. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., education, business administration, or a related discipline). Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and manage competing priorities.; Required Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements. Knowledge and understanding of all aspects of student financial aid and scholarships. Knowledge of budgeting, cost estimating, and fiscal management principles and procedures. Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures.; SKILLS: Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications. Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. Employee development and performance management skills. Working knowledge and skill in operating in the Banner Financial Aid system and related module components.; ABILITIES: Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals. Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist with the preparation and review of mandatory external and internal reporting and the A133 audit.
• Strategically manage the financial aid scholarships through Scholar Dollar$ to strategically impact the recruitment and retention of students.
• Collaborate with internal scholarship coordinators, academic departments, and outside organizations to ensure effective awarding of scholarships and meet budgeted allocations.
• Works closely with the Financial Aid Office Leadership Team to ensure proper training of campus constituents and community college staff, timely assessment and reporting, and leadership for the department
• Maintain a detailed understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Participate in regular evaluation of office procedures, identify problems and develop solutions for all campuses.
• Develop quality assurance measures and analyze data related to scholarship awarding trends, student outcomes, and fund utilization to ensure accuracy and to improve response times
• Develop and implement corrective action plans for deficiencies found during internal reviews.
• Process aid adjustments when appropriate, update files and correspond with students, and coordinate with NMHED regarding complaint resolutions.
• Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies, objectives, short-and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures consistent with those of the organization to ensure efficient and safe operation of the unit
• Oversees the supervision of personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion and enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance
• Develop and implement scholarship policies, procedures, and communication plans to support transparency, compliance, and student engagement.
• Coordinate with the NMSU Foundation team to assist with the maintenance and enhancement of the Scholar Dollar$ scholarship management system, including system updates, configuration, and process optimization.
• Work with academic and honors college scholarship coordinators
• Represent the office at recruitment events and institutional committees related to student financial support.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies governing scholarships, including NCAA regulations when applicable.
Preferred Qualifications
Special Requirements of the Position
Schedule may need to be adjusted with prior notice based on needs of the office. Limited travel, flexible hours during peak times, and occasional evening and weekend schedules.
Department Contact: Maria Hernandez, 575-646-7598, mgh1@nmsu.edu
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.