Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Services

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Office at Seattle Colleges delivers high quality service to students, prospective students, and college partners.

We are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes equity, justice, and cultural humility as integral components of academic excellence.

We are committed to minimizing financial barriers to support students in achieving their educational goals. In addition, we provide detailed professional caring services to students with regard for individual circumstances.

We respect the dignity of individuals and the privacy of confidential information. Our team works to ensure we are committed to the pursuit of equitable student learning outcomes for our diverse students.

Candidates who can contribute to these values are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas. Black, indigenous, People of Color, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Under the supervision of the Dean of Student Support, the Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Services is responsible the day-to-day operations, customer services, and financial aid engagement efforts of the Financial Aid & Veterans Services office, including the management of special funding programs administered through the office.

Special funding programs may include Veterans Educational benefits, third party and employer sponsorship, scholarships, and / or cohort funded programs.

The Director works closely with the Seattle Colleges Executive Director of Financial Aid and the Director of Financial Aid Processing & Technology, and Director of Financial Aid Awards Management & Compliance.

The Director is responsible for coordinating the accurate awarding and reporting of federal and state financial aid funds, with the assistance of the Executive Director.

The Director will serve as part of the campus Student Services Leadership team and will participate in coordinating the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of student support services and activities related to student funding.

This position serves all stakeholders at the college including students, faculty, other campus offices, and members of the public, in all things related to funding options available to students at the college.

The Director of Student Financial Services directly supervises ) staff in the Financial Aid and Veteran s Affairs Office.

What you will be working on :

Oversees, leads, and is responsible for the operational and fiscal activities of the Financial Aid Office and Veterans Educational Benefits Programs.

This includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for budgeting and staffing of assigned operation units. Projects expenditures, revenue and allocations of fund management in aid programs.

Ensures the timely preparation of all federal and state reports and funding requests pertaining to the financial aid program including FISAP, State Interim Reports, Gainful Employment, Unit Record Report, etc.

in collaboration with Seattle Colleges Executive Director of Financial Aid.

• Assists in the development of equitable awarding policies and packaging plans consistent with regulations and college access, persistence, and completion goals.
• Oversees Title IV refunds and repayments, including reporting to U.S. Department of Education, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
• Oversees the coordination of on campus student employment of work study students.
• Manages and submits the Federal and State Program Participation Agreements and make necessary modifications.
• Coordinates and complies with audit requests of financial aid and veterans funding by state and federal agencies.
• Establishes and manages efficiency of default management and financial literacy programs.
• Establishes and implements procedures for delivering student aid awarded by other offices, e.g. Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, Work First, Scholarships, and Emergency Funds.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with other college offices including instructional departments, campus and district accounting office, establishing policies, procedures and guidelines in conjunction with those departmental goals.
• Enhance understanding of the financial aid process by providing training to campus staff outside the financial aid office.
• Manage all aspects of the financial aid office to include planning, setting goals and objectives consistent with the college Mission and Strategic Plan.
• Serve as the liaison for the Financial Aid Office in state, regional and national professional organizations.
• Oversees the certification and delivery of Veterans Funding to include compliance, policy development and reconciliation.
• Establishes and implements procedures for delivering student aid awarded by outside agencies or funders, e.g. Scholarships, Employee Tuition Assistance program, Community Based Organization (CBO) Funds, L&I Cost Encumbrances, etc.
• Serve as the Financial Aid Subject Matter Expert for the college s systems and software (CTCLink, Starfish, Inceptia, etc) and provide training for direct staff on all financial aid functions
• Serve as campus coordinator for financial aid system updates, make recommendations for software enhancements; create and implement policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and comply with audit requests of financial aid and veterans funding by state and federal agencies.
• Acts as a primary liaison with appropriate state committees, departments, organizations, and institutions relative to the programs and services of both the areas of assigned responsibility and the College as a whole.
• Ensures College adherence and conformity to District, city, state and federal codes, laws and policies by establishing and implementing procedures for the legal integrity of the College.
• Contributes to a transparent decision-making system that maintains and improves the quality of educational offerings and services.
• Ensures that resource allocation is strategically guided and supports achievement of the College s and District s mission, vision, and strategic plans.

Uses data to make informed recommendations and decisions.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

What you bring as a candidate (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience) :

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of working to remove barriers for historically marginalized communities and students.
• Evidence of successful experience working directly with a diverse, multicultural student population with an emphasis in leadership, team building, and student advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work with individuals representing a wide range of educational, professional, and cultural experiences.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the goals and objectives of a comprehensive community college
• Bachelor s Degree
• Four (4) years of experience with student financial aid, student development services, or related field
• Experience interpreting policies / procedures based on government regulations and policies

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF :

• Federal and state resources available for training and compliance, including network of financial aid associations and annual conferences
• Systems used for processing, communicating, and overseeing student financial aid eligibility

DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO :

• Respectfully and effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds including racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, and sexual orientation, and with diverse physical and learning abilities.
• Understand and interpret detailed information and trouble shoot and problem solve academic and systems issues, with attention to detail.
• Understand, interpret and apply complex federal regulations, and conduct research
• Think critically, be proactive, and take initiative
• Communicate clearly, collaboratively, and consistently
• Meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, manage and build productive diverse teams
• Demonstrated ability to address, mitigate and deescalate conflict.
• Demonstrated excellent, and effective, organizational skills.
• Lead a team comprised of completed in-person, hybrid, and remote settings
• Work evenings and weekends
• Must not be in default on any student loans

Physical Requirements :

Ability to perform range of physical motions, exerting up to 25 pounds; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping;

and traversing up and down stairs.

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship / status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability.

In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of bullying behaviors, including cyberbullying .

Inquiries regarding compliance and / or grievance procedures may be directed to the Director of Legal Compliance.

Background Check Statement

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB2327 as required.

Oversees, leads, and is responsible for the operational and fiscal activities of the Financial Aid Office and Veterans Educational Benefits Programs.

This includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for budgeting and staffing of assigned operation units. Projects expenditures, revenue and allocations of fund management in aid programs.

Ensures the timely preparation of all federal and state reports and funding requests pertaining to the financial aid program including FISAP, State Interim Reports, Gainful Employment, Unit Record Report, etc.

in collaboration with Seattle Colleges Executive Director of Financial Aid.

• Assists in the development of equitable awarding policies and packaging plans consistent with regulations and college access, persistence, and completion goals.
• Oversees Title IV refunds and repayments, including reporting to U.S. Department of Education, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
• Oversees the coordination of on campus student employment of work study students.
• Manages and submits the Federal and State Program Participation Agreements and make necessary modifications.
• Coordinates and complies with audit requests of financial aid and veterans funding by state and federal agencies.
• Establishes and manages efficiency of default management and financial literacy programs.
• Establishes and implements procedures for delivering student aid awarded by other offices, e.g. Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant, Work First, Scholarships, and Emergency Funds.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with other college offices including instructional departments, campus and district accounting office, establishing policies, procedures and guidelines in conjunction with those departmental goals.
• Enhance understanding of the financial aid process by providing training to campus staff outside the financial aid office.
• Manage all aspects of the financial aid office to include planning, setting goals and objectives consistent with the college Mission and Strategic Plan.
• Serve as the liaison for the Financial Aid Office in state, regional and national professional organizations.
• Oversees the certification and delivery of Veterans Funding to include compliance, policy development and reconciliation.
• Establishes and implements procedures for delivering student aid awarded by outside agencies or funders, e.g. Scholarships, Employee Tuition Assistance program, Community Based Organization (CBO) Funds, L&I Cost Encumbrances, etc.
• Serve as the Financial Aid Subject Matter Expert for the college s systems and software (CTCLink, Starfish, Inceptia, etc) and provide training for direct staff on all financial aid functions
• Serve as campus coordinator for financial aid system updates, make recommendations for software enhancements; create and implement policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and comply with audit requests of financial aid and veterans funding by state and federal agencies.
• Acts as a primary liaison with appropriate state committees, departments, organizations, and institutions relative to the programs and services of both the areas of assigned responsibility and the College as a whole.
• Ensures College adherence and conformity to District, city, state and federal codes, laws and policies by establishing and implementing procedures for the legal integrity of the College.
• Contributes to a transparent decision-making system that maintains and improves the quality of educational offerings and services.
• Ensures that resource allocation is strategically guided and supports achievement of the College s and District s mission, vision, and strategic plans.

Uses data to make informed recommendations and decisions.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

What you bring as a candidate (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience) :

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of working to remove barriers for historically marginalized communities and students.
• Evidence of successful experience working directly with a diverse, multicultural student population with an emphasis in leadership, team building, and student advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work with individuals representing a wide range of educational, professional, and cultural experiences.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the goals and objectives of a comprehensive community college
• Bachelor s Degree
• Four (4) years of experience with student financial aid, student development services, or related field
• Experience interpreting policies / procedures based on government regulations and policies

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF :

• Federal and state resources available for training and compliance, including network of financial aid associations and annual conferences
• Systems used for processing, communicating, and overseeing student financial aid eligibility

DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO :

• Respectfully and effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds including racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, and sexual orientation, and with diverse physical and learning abilities.
• Understand and interpret detailed information and trouble shoot and problem solve academic and systems issues, with attention to detail.
• Understand, interpret and apply complex federal regulations, and conduct research
• Think critically, be proactive, and take initiative
• Communicate clearly, collaboratively, and consistently
• Meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, manage and build productive diverse teams
• Demonstrated ability to address, mitigate and deescalate conflict.
• Demonstrated excellent, and effective, organizational skills.
• Lead a team comprised of completed in-person, hybrid, and remote settings
• Work evenings and weekends
• Must not be in default on any student loans

Physical Requirements :

Ability to perform range of physical motions, exerting up to 25 pounds; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping;

and traversing up and down stairs.

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship / status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability.

In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of bullying behaviors, including cyberbullying.

Inquiries regarding compliance and / or grievance procedures may be directed to the Director of Legal Compliance : 1500 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3803 (206) 934-3873

Background Check Statement

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB2327 as required.