Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Center City - Full Time - Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health

About Jefferson  

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Covid Vaccination is a requirement for employment at Jefferson for employees working at Jefferson’s clinical entities or at the University.  If you are not currently vaccinated you will be required to receive the vaccination prior to hire date if you are offered employment, unless you request and receive an approved medical or religious exemption from Jefferson.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 + years of financial aid administration experience.
• Prior supervisory experience required.

POSITIONS, SUPERVISED OR DIRECTED (TITLES AND APPROXIMATE NUMBERS):

• This position has direct supervision over 3 Student Services Coordinators and work-study office workers

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Strong computer skills particularly MS Window-based office applications.
• Expertise in the Ellucian Banner student financial aid system.
• Knowledge of NSLDS functionality.
• Familiarity with federal EDE computer systems.
• Thorough knowledge of federal financial aid regulations.
• Knowledge and expertise with state grant programs.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is responsible for overseeing federal, state and university compliance regulations for all financial aid programs. Supervises and trains, ensuring proper procedures are followed concerning data management, file maintenance and confidentiality, working with all facets of financial aid, assisting with the development of policies and procedures, assisting with reconciling federal and state funds and assisting with the preparation of reports required by internal departments and external agencies. The Assistant Director of Financial Aid will oversee and manage a cohort of financial aid applicants and recipients by providing information and counsel to students and parents regarding eligibility for financial aid programs and the regulations that pertain to those programs. Responsibilities include packaging, awarding, monitoring and reporting. As a part of the financial aid team, this individual will support and improve office operations and processes and provide guidance to other support staff in the financial aid office and other related departments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists in the administration of all federal, state and university financial aid programs.
• Reviews, processes and awards funds from all programs for a designated cohort of students. This includes need analysis, cost of attendance determination, federal data base and NSLDS matches, verification, file review, adjustments and appeals and QC monitoring of programs.
• Counsels applicants, recipients and families regarding application and eligibility for financial aid programs. Counsels students as needed on loan debt, debt management, student loan repayment, financial literacy and personal budgeting.
• Communicates complex financial and other information to prospective students, enrolled students, other university departments and external agencies in a timely and professional manner. Provides referral to other departments when necessary and remain available as a resource.
• Reviews a variety of reports to identify changes or conflicting data in systems, make corrective adjustments to data records when necessary and communicate changes.
• Makes recommendations for the development and implementation of short and long range plans.
• Interacts with co-workers, visitors and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson.

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Serve as primary liaison to the graduate assistantship program.
• Serve as back-up for the Federal Work-Study Program timekeeper.
• Assist with the preparation of reports to internal departments and external agencies.
• Assist with the periodic examination of operations and procedures, formulating policy recommendations and developing and implementing new strategies.
• Prepare and present informational sessions, seminars, and entrance and exit programs as needed.
• Ensure proper procedures are followed concerning data management and confidentiality adhering to FERPA, federal regulations and institutional policies.
• Represent the Financial Aid Office at appropriate university meetings, external agency meetings and professional association meetings.
• Keep abreast of federal, state and other financial aid regulatory changes and requirements with the goal of Thomas Jefferson University being fully compliant.
• Perform outreach functions in the local community; respond to requests for informational meetings.
• Assist with reconciling federal and state financial aid disbursements in preparation of the annual A-133 audit.
• Support the routine review of the department’s website content assuring accurate and up-to-date information.
• Assist with the maintenance of the department’s policies and procedures manual.
• Perform other duties as assigned.