Director of Financial Aid

director shall establish proactive services, assistance and resources for students and their families and shall develop, implement, and monitor annual financial aid and budgets, including establishing goals and activities and evaluating program outcomes

This position is benefits eligible. For more information on Victoria College's excellent benefits package, click the benefits tab.

About Our Institution

Victoria College (VC) is a vital public community college located in Victoria, Texas and has been a respected community partner in the Crossroads region since 1925 and continues to offer quality, affordable educational opportunities to help our students achieve their dreams. VC offers a variety of high-quality associate's degrees and transfer programs, preparing students for success in their chosen fields. The college fosters a close-knit community, serving approximately 7,100 students across diverse backgrounds and learning styles, including full-time, part-time, online, veterans, and adult learners. VC features five academic divisions:

1. Academic Support & Student Success
2. Allied Health
3. Career & Technical Education
4. Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
5. Science, Mathematics, Engineering, & Physical Education

Additionally, VC offers various programs through the Academy of Lifelong Learning, catering to the educational needs of the community.

Living in the Area

Victoria, a charming city with a population of around 67,000, provides a welcoming and affordable environment. Residents enjoy a variety of benefits, including diverse culinary experiences, a rich cultural scene with museums and art galleries, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Victoria boasts over 50 parks and green spaces, including Riverside Park and Spring Creek Greenway, offering scenic walking and biking trails. The city is well-connected with regional transportation networks, including Victoria Regional Airport and multiple bus services. Victoria's cost of living is significantly lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for students and families alike.

Duties & Responsibilities

Operational & Program Management Duties

• Serves as the principal advisor to the Vice President, Student Services on all matters relating to the financial aid program;
• Promotes a positive atmosphere by maintaining proactive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community at large while providing exemplary customer service;
• Facilitates and refines internal processes to provide all students with the necessary information and assistance to understand and apply for financial aid;
• Works closely with Student Services management staff to coordinate all related division wide functions. Involves Instructional Services and Business Services as appropriate in the development and delivery of financial aid services;
• Develops and implements annual goals, objectives, and assessment methods to ensure department effectiveness;
• Develops, manages and reconciles the financial aid operational budget in alignment with overall institutional/divisional goals and objectives;
• Effectively supervises, supports and trains personnel in all aspects of financial aid and college funding opportunities;
• Develops and implements policies and procedures which ensure that Victoria College and the Office of Financial Aid remain compliant as designated by state and federal law;
• Assesses institutional needs of students and recommends new programs and/or revisions to existing programs to address students financial needs;
• Serves as a key contributor to the accomplishment of institutional enrollment management objectives through the implementation of effective financial aid strategies;

Compliance, Reporting and Data Analytics

• Serves as lead administrator for federal electronic and online systems as related to financial aid reporting. Responsible for all federal, state, and institutional reports, including applications for federal funding and reports of the expenditures of funds allocated, such as the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP);
• Maintains fund control records in accordance with funding level limitations. Manage the staff to provide insight and leadership regarding various functions of compliance review, communications, systems review, and budget assessment;
• Administers the local, state, and federal student loan, grant, work-study/student assistant, childcare and transportation programs and other similar programs as applicable;
• Stays abreast and maintains knowledge of current information on all rules and regulations governing all financial aid to ensure institutional compliance as required by state and federal law;
• Assist the college Information Systems team by testing all patches, releases, and upgrades to Banner for the purposes of Financial Aid planning and programming;
• Maintains the setting up of the annual financial aid year in the student information system – Banner;
• Reconciles all financial aid programs, maintaining accurate all records to ensure efficiencies as required by state and federal rules and regulations;
• Commitment to following the NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles;

Leadership Development & Program Advocacy

• Participates in professional development opportunities;
• Represents the College at state, regional, and national financial aid association meetings;
• Participates and supports the student services division in programming specific to student recruitment and retention to include on/off campus events (may occasionally extended into weekend and evenings)
• Provides an orientation program for new employees and professional development opportunities for staff members;
• Serves on applicable Victoria College committees to include but not limited to serving as Chair for the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAPP) Committee; participating and supporting the Scholarship Committee in collaboration with the VC Foundation Office;
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Student Services;

NOTE: This position will access student records at times and will follow all FERPA guidelines.

Qualifications

• Masters degree required
• Five years of experience in higher education required; preferably in a financial aid office
• Knowledge of NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Financial Aid Professionals
• Five years of supervisory experience and demonstrated leadership
• Knowledge of financial aid administration
• Ability to work effectively with staff and a diverse student body
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of scholarship programming and implementation
• Knowledge of veterans benefits administration
• Bilingual a plus
• Ability to work after hours and on weekends for student and college events

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle controls, key pads, etc. Will be required to sit and reach with hands and arms as well as sit, stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds while loading office supplies and paper. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, some color vision, and the ability to adjust focus from documents to computer screen. Hearing of light to moderate sound is required by this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.