Statement of Primary Purpose

In support of the overall mission of Isothermal Community College, it is the responsibility of the Director of Financial Aid to enable students to pursue higher education by administering financial aid programs designed to offset the cost of attendance.

Supervises Directly

Financial Aid Counselor(s)

Financial Aid Counselor/Veteran Affairs Coordinator

Powers Promise Scholarship Program Coordinator

Federal Work Study Student(s) serving through the Financial Aid department

Essential Responsibilities

Coordinate and administer Financial Aid program/Financial Aid Office supervision

1. 1. Develop, evaluate, and revise financial aid procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines
   2. Provide leadership and supervision in monitoring and organizing the work of the division
   3. Maintain a working knowledge of federal, state, and local financial aid guidelines
   4. Develop, assess, and refine office workflows and processes that promote efficiency and balance workload among staff
   5. Troubleshoot problems and issues that occur, and provide counsel, to maximize student aid support to advance student progress, completion, and success
   6. Oversee and ensure that current and prospective students receive accessible, friendly, and professional service from the Financial Aid staff in all types of multimedia, interactions, and locations including self-service, face-to-face, etc.
   7. Supervise the administration of all federal and state financial aid programs
   8. Supervise the administration of all internal and external scholarship programs including Powers Promise Scholarships
   9. Balance and reconcile all accounts with the Business Office for year-end as required by the Department of Education
   10. Oversee and ensure that the Eligibility and Certification Approval Report of Programs (ECAR) is updated, submitted, and approved by the Department of Education
   11. Oversee and ensure that every five years renewal data is collected and submitted for The Program Participation Agreement (PPA) approval with the Department of Education
   12. Assess and ensure aid recipients’ compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy
   13. Oversee and coordinate activities such as financial aid and financial literacy workshops in the community and within the college that educate prospective and current students about financial aid opportunities and money management
   14. Develop, assess, and coordinate information services that educate financial aid recipients about important guidelines to help them retain financial aid eligibility
   15. Oversee data security practices among financial aid staff and in all functions of the Financial Aid Office in compliance with local procedures as well as state and federal regulations in a manner that ensures the protection of college data
   16. Coordinate Financial Aid Consortium agreements with students and other colleges
   17. Provide leadership for and supervise Financial Aid Office staff and ensure that staff have the training needed to carry out their jobs with excellence
   18. Lead assessment, planning, and goal-setting processes and activities for the Financial Aid Office
   19. Submit Financial Aid Office budget requests annually as requested by supervisor
   20. Participate in professional development opportunities that advance knowledge of financial aid and facilitate networking with financial aid colleagues
   21. Assist the Dean of Students and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Steering Committee in maintaining compliance with relevant SACSCOC standards
   22. Serve as point of contact for the Department of Education (ED)
   23. Develop, maintain, and ensure access to financial aid consumer information as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act
   24. Oversee and ensure the accuracy of all information provided about the financial aid program including (but not limited to) Isothermal’s website, College Catalog and Student Handbook, Patriot Port, printed materials, chatbot, and through social media
   25. Follow federal, SACSCOC, state, and local guidelines in maintaining student financial aid records and reporting procedures
   26. Maintain familiarity with federal program review and financial aid audit procedures and assist in making the college community aware of requirements as well as compliance with requirements
   27. Work with federal (ED) and State (Eagle, NCSEAA) auditors as needed for program reviews

Administer and maintain the technical support for the financial aid program

1. 1. Ensure all financial aid records are properly maintained and updated within the ERP (e.g., Colleague) system
   2. Ensure all of the institution’s electronic links to the U.S. Department of Education are properly maintained and updated, including but not limited to, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), E-Apps, AmeriCorps, The Knowledge Center (ED), FAA Access, and Federal Student Aid- FSA Partner Connect (ED -System with Dashboards), etc.
   3. Oversee the maintenance of the financial aid module within Colleague to include the required annual setup and implement financial aid processes using Colleague
   4. Utilize various in-house applications and/or platforms as supplements to Colleague to perform checks and balances and ensure the accurate and efficient running of the various financial aid programs. (Eagle Program working with the Business Office and the State Auditor)

Assist the Dean of Students with other duties as assigned including but not limited to:

1. 1. Assist in the development and execution of a departmental assessment plan
   2. Maintain statistical records necessary for various reports and administrative decisions
   3. Coordinate outreach with the Director of Enrollment Management and the Recruiter
   4. Provide coverage in Student Services in the evening as needed
   5. Participate in college committees including but not limited to:
      • Financial Aid
      • Curriculum Committee
      • Powers Promise Scholarship Committee
      • ICC Institutional Scholarship Committee
      • Regional Financial Aid committees

Prepare state, federal, and area-specific reports

1. 1. Prepare and submit the Fiscal Operation Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) to the Department of Education (ED)
   2. NCHED A-10 to the North Carolina Community College System
   3. Prepare and submit end-of-the-year reports pertaining to the disbursement of state aid
   4. Prepare and submit all other reports relating to financial aid as required