Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid has the primary responsibility for the direction and coordination of all activities pertaining to the administration of financial aid programs offered on campus as well as the overall supervision and operation of the financial aid office.

A Bachelor’s Degree and 3-5 years of experience at Assistant and/or Director level in Financial Aid is required. The Director must have detailed knowledge of federal, state, NCAA, and institutional regulations pertaining to Financial Aid and have experience with an automated Financial Aid system. The ability to manage and supervise an office staff is necessary. The Director must meet demanding deadlines and work under the stress inherent in this busy college office. Must possess incisive analytical abilities. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Knowledge of financial aid leveraging and basic enrollment principles desired. Exceptional interpersonal and counseling skills, including the ability to gain cooperation through discussion, consensus building, and persuasion. This position requires some night and/or weekend work as well as some travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Comply with federal, state, NCAA, donor, and institutional regulations in the awarding of funds to students attending Mars Hill College.
• Interpret federal, state, and NCAA regulations and implement campus procedures that adhere to them.
• Prepare the annual application for campusbased funds (FISAP).
• Conduct annual student budget preparation.
• Determine and fulfill information needs from Admissions, the Registrar, the Business Office, the Athletic Department, etc. for use in the award process.
• Prepare other administrative reports required for the programs.

Such as the North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant and the North Carolina Contractual Scholarship Fund.

• Develop awarding guidelines and packaging procedures.
• Develop and maintain the FAO Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Develop all financial aid forms and brochures used by the FAO and assist in the preparation of standard publications used by the campus.
• Assist in the design and implementation of an automated financial aid system, to include Department of Education software and guarantee agency software.
• Represent the campus to outside constituencies, such as the Student Aid Group, NC Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, etc.
• Counsel individual students who require special handling or insight to avoid further communication through higherlevel campus channels.
• Provide information to the Business Office on changes in federal regulations.
• Provide input to financial aid and enrollment proposals, policies, and procedures being developed.
• Manage the office operational budget and approve expenditures accordingly.
• Coordinate any special activities related to informing students and parents about the financial aid program at MHC.
• Conduct presentations when necessary.
• Complete various surveys related to student financial aid.
• Attend State and Federal training sessions as required.
• Serve on various campus committees.
• Perform other duties or special projects.

About Mars Hill University

Mars Hill University is a private, four-year liberal arts institution located in the mountains of western North Carolina. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in western North Carolina on its original site. Mars Hill University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity), age, disability, religion, veteran’s status, or any other protected basis under applicable law in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs and activities.