Campus Director of Financial Aid – Ammerman Campus

Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as its Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Established in 1959, the college offers a wide array of transfer-oriented associate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences; business; communications and the arts; computing and cybersecurity; health sciences; and many other areas. Career-facing degrees and certificates are offered in allied health professions, automotive technology, culinary and baking, manufacturing, and many other areas. The college provides high school concurrent enrollment opportunities to thousands of students each year through both Suffolk’s Beacon program and through on-campus early college classes. Designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Suffolk enrolls thousands of students in English Language Learning courses, and also serves more service veterans and military-connected students than any other college in the SUNY system.

SUNY Suffolk is searching for a full-time (12-month), Campus Director of Financial Aid position, beginning immediately. This is a Guild (Unit 4) position and, as such, the salary and benefits for this position are determined according to the salary and benefits plan for the Guild of Administrative Officers.

The Campus Director of Financial Aid is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and state financial aid rules and regulations, as well as instructional policies and procedures. This involves training of staff, monitoring different processes such as the verification of financial aid applications, administering the satisfactory academic progress regulations, as well as reconciling campus disbursements to ensure funds are awarded accurately. This position is responsible for representing the college at numerous recruitment and community service outreach activities, including open houses, SUNY Financial Aid Day, and financial aid presentations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manages the day-to-day operation of the Ammerman Campus financial aid operation, including the implementation of all federal and state programs, policies, services and regulations. This requires the Director maintain a working knowledge of all current and pending federal and state regulations.
• Collaborates and works closely with the Michael J. Grant and Eastern Campus Financial Aid offices to enhance, assess activities and improve enrollment processes to provide support to the constituents of Suffolk County Community College.
• Coordinates all financial aid student advising; the dissemination of pertinent information to the campus community; assists with financial aid and emergency loan applications, bookstore roster updates, and the Satisfactory Academic Progress rules and regulations.
• Coordinates the processing of financial aid applications, the collection of all required documents and data, the verification of applicant data and determination of awards, and the disbursement of awards. Supervises appropriate case review and record maintenance.
• Selects, trains, supervises and evaluates all personnel assigned to the Financial Aid Office.
• Serves on various college and campus-wide committees.
• Assists students with resolving financial aid difficulties. Responsible for all financial aid appeals, income adjustments, dependency overrides, special circumstances and all other professional judgement concerns.
• Counsels students on eligibility requirements for specific financial aid programs, including, but not limited to, the Excelsior Scholarship Program.
• Collaborates with the campus division of student affairs in the planning, developing, and coordinating of enrollment and retention programs.
• Provides community outreach activities and presentations both on and off campus.
• Coordinates assessment efforts and record-keeping and generates reports of students served by the Financial Aid Office.
• Establishes annual goals and assures that Financial Aid services are carried out in accordance with institutional priorities, policies, divisional goals, and federal and state regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to be discreet when dealing with confidential financial and personal family information. Must be able to show sensitivity to a diverse group of students and parents during potentially difficult and sometimes emotional financial situations.
• Familiarity with best practices of using technology in financial aid.
• Expertise with compliance and regulatory policies.
• Demonstrated high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Minimum

• A Bachelor’s Degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid with thorough knowledge of principals and best practices in a college or university setting.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred:

• A Master’s degree.
• Seven (7) years of experience providing leadership, management and supervision is preferred.
• Possess strong technical skills, including experience with Banner.
• Experience working in a public college is preferred.