Director of Financial Aid

Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) is a unique and vibrant learning institution.  It is a non-profit, regionally accredited college offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, with state-of-the-art campuses in the Financial District of Manhattan and the Hub district of the South Bronx.   For over 50 years, MCNY has offered highly motivated learners a powerful model of Purpose-Centered Education that promotes personal transformation and constructive change in workplaces and communities.  MCNY enrolls approximately 1,000 students annually into its accelerated degree programs with convenient onsite and remote schedules for added flexibility.  

MCNY seeks a highly skilled individual to lead a progressive, dynamic and multi-campus financial aid department in order to support and expand institutional efforts to increase student success and access. The DFA will report to the VP of Enrollment and Student Services they will plan, organize and manage the operations and activities of federal, state, and institutional financial aid, monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, access operations leading to continuous improvement, supervise, train and evaluate the financial aid staff and student workers.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership in the development, coordination, administration and evaluation of the college’s federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
• Establishes and ensures compliance by creating and evaluating internal controls to adequately monitor and provide oversight of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Designs and Implements processes and technologies that provide a high level of student satisfaction and experience throughout the life-cycle of the student and meet the College’s service standards and financial literacy commitment.
• Designs and implements efficient, user-friendly application processes and communications using appropriate electronic technologies, to ensure that students have timely, accessible, and understandable information regarding financial aid.
• Collaborates with student affairs leaders to integrate exceptional financial aid services and student education planning into appropriate student services, career services and academic activities/events.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with the Office of Information Technology and Business Office to create and ensure optimal use of technology to streamline processes and functions that strengthen the student experience and provide seamless service to students.
• Develops annual budgets for the financial aid department.
• Ensures compliance with regulations and requirements associated with the administration of federal, state, institutional, and veteran’s benefits programs.
• Maintains accountability for the student loan default management plan and the results of the cohort default rate. Ensures systems and actions support a commitment to financial literacy, default management, and a low default rate.
• Insures staff attendance at federal, state, and professional financial aid training conferences/webinars. Review and disseminate applicable materials to ensure professional expertise and continuing education is maintained and enhanced personally and within the department.
• Oversees all administrative functions of the financial aid office by supervising, providing ongoing professional development opportunities, and evaluating work of staff.
• Responsible for accurate and timely reports related to the college’s participation and administration of federal, state, institutional, and other aid programs.
• Recommends to the Vice President EMSS plans and strategies to strengthen the financial aid program including personnel development, facilities, procedures, and materials.
• Provides proactive leadership in advising college administration on impacts related to regulatory changes, policy positions, advocacy, and the role of financial aid in student success.
• Collaborates with academic and student affairs leadership to develop and implement strategies to support student access, recruitment, retention, and graduation goals of the College.
• Serves on campus and college-wide committees as assigned.
• Promotes external scholarship opportunities via website and student communiques, and financial literacy workshops.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Required

• Master’s Degree: a combination of Bachelors, specialized education and financial aid and managerial experience may be substitutable.
• Preferred field of study in technology, accounting, finance, management, and higher education.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience administering Title IV funds and financial aid resources and services, including supervision, in a regulatory environment.
• Strong acumen with technology, report writing, successful experience in Return to Title IV, loan reconciliation, FISAP and PPA reports, NYS TAP reports, IPEDS Data collection, and other government, and NGO reports.
• Strong leadership skills in the area of delegation, collaboration, communication, coaching, and training
• Knowledge of Title IV Regulations, GI Bill for Higher Education, Veterans Administration services, and state regulations related to financial aid.
• Expertise in financial aid systems including Powerfaids, PowerCampus, and Slate or similar student information enterprise systems
• Knowledge of system process design and how to implement continuous improvement processes.
• Skilled in effective verbal, and written communications.
• Ability to lead, manage, and develop a cohesive and diverse staff in a multi-campus environment
• Ability to interpret technical and statistical data to analyze operations, anticipate problems and plan for future needs.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and assignments, organize work, make decisions, and function independently.
• Ability to respond effectively to multiple, simultaneous inquiries from students and staff
• Ability to work well under pressure and during peak periods to meet timelines and objectives.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse community and meet the needs of diverse student populations.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $95,000 – $115,000. Metropolitan College of New York considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

MCNY is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.  Students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and submit proof.   Individuals who qualify may request a medical or religious exemption.  Questions regarding an exemption should be emailed to ERobles@mcny.edu.   Individuals granted an exemption will need to provide a weekly negative test for Covid-19. 

Interested applicants should submit their cover letter and resume reply MCNY Talent or mail to Department of Human Resources, Metropolitan College of New York, 60 West Street, New York, NY  10006.

MCNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.