Associate Director of Financial Aid – Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Associate Director of Financial Aid – Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Salary: Commensurate

with experience

Benefits: The University offers generous benefits including paid

time off (holidays, holy days and vacation), employer matching contributions to

the retirement plan, and tuition benefits for employees and their eligible dependents.

Learn more and explore benefits at www.duq.edu/benefits

Location: Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Position Status: Full-time (35

hours per week)

Hours: Varied

Position Number: 234807/10-1167

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Duquesne University–Thomas R. Kline School of Law Associate Director of

Financial Aid position directs the planning, administration, customer service,

regulatory compliance, and daily operations for financial aid for the law

school and the Paralegal Institute, and will work cooperatively with the

Duquesne University Office of Financial Aid.

The position reports to Duquesne University’s Assistant Vice President of

Financial Aid and School of Law’s Director of Admission, and is based at the

law school.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee

the accurate, ethical, complete, and timely awarding and disbursement of

scholarship funds and loans to eligible students.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations by

maintaining audit-ready files and staying current on all Title IV and VII

updates and changes. Ensure that the law school and its

students meet all American Bar Association and U.S. Department of Education

requirements related to scholarship awards.

Provide individualized financial aid

counseling to prospective and current students on financial aid options,

financial planning, and debt management. Assist students in understanding the process, requirements and deadlines

associated with the FAFSA, loan applications and scholarship awards.

Develop, update, and

maintain written materials and website content related to financial aid

policies and procedures, cost of attendance, loan options and terms, and

scholarship opportunities and requirements. Ensure all communication is

accurate, current, complete, and easy to understand.

Deliver financial aid

workshops and presentations for prospective and current law students, both in-person

and virtually.

Collaborate with the

Assistant Vice President for Financial Aid and Director of Admissions to

develop and implement strategies for managing and enhancing the law school’s

institutional scholarship program in support of enrollment and retention goals.

Manage merit, need-based, and

donor/endowed scholarship awards specific to the law school.

Advertise, collect, and conduct

initial review of scholarship applications; verify financial need for awarding

of need-based scholarships; communicate scholarship awards to students,

including amounts, terms and conditions; update LSAC Unite and Banner systems

with scholarship awards.

Develop and maintain a file of outside

funding available to law students and students in the Paralegal Institute and

disseminate to prospective and continuing law students.

Conduct loan verification

by validating student eligibility, enrollment status, and required

documentation prior to loan certification.

Monitor satisfactory

academic progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. Communicate SAP

policies clearly to students not in compliance; manage SAP appeals; chair the

appeals committee; record and monitor academic plans to manage SAP; and provide

timely updates to students at risk of losing their financial aid eligibility.

In collaboration with the University’s Assistant Vice President of Financial

Aid, establish and publish the law school’s annual cost of attendance. Develop professional judgment standards and a

transparent review process for evaluating cost of attendance appeals.

Develop, implement, and

utilize Banner financial aid tracking, budgeting, and student group bundling

processes to ensure efficient financial aid operations. Review and enhance

processes annually to ensure system is providing optimal support. Review student records in Banner to ensure

accuracy and data integrity.

Prepare

annual and ad hoc financial aid reports for law school administration to

support operational, accreditation, and compliance needs.

Analyzes

enrollment, aid, and borrowing trends to inform strategic planning and

decision-making.

Participate

in management meetings with university financial aid and law school

administration.

Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum qualifications

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational

institution.

Three to five years of experience in financial aid administration at a law

school or other equivalent graduate/professional school.

Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial-aid

regulations, policies, and programs.

Ability to assess and adapt to new regulations and policies.

Advanced understanding of financial aid technology systems and data management.

Ability to work effectively with IT personnel to identify and resolve issues,

and to design required changes in systems requirements, operating procedures,

and data management.

Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop and

implement effective operational solutions.

High level of personal integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to collaborate

and motivate others.

Excellent communication, organization, presentation, analytical and computer

skills. Proficiency in Banner and

Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

Experience using federal

online financial aid applications and the National Student Loan Data System.

Commitment to working in a diverse and dynamic community of professional and

graduate students.

Preferred

qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution preferred.

Alternatively, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination

of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required

to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to,

the following

Ability to

establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University

Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University

and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The

mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of

service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical

campus community.

APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information

for three professional references.

Duquesne

University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation

of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and

ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values

equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.