Assistant Director, Student Services & Veteran School Certifying Official
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
The salary range for this role is $55,000-$60,000 and is commensurate with experience.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Illinois Tech Student Financial Services strives to educate, empower, and support students with an understanding of Financial options and resources in an approachable environment. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid Services, the Assistant Director for Student Services & Veteran School Certifying Official is a key leader of the Financial Aid Office and a member of the enrollment management team, providing leadership on the student experience, particularly as it relates to veteran student needs, along with support for all aspects of the student experience related to Financial aid and veteran benefit processing. This role will support the Director in providing direct student services and triage support in the Office of Financial Aid. This role will serve as the VA School Certifying Official and manage the veteran student experience from benefit processing, student advising, recruitment support, and veteran related compliance.
Benefits
Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: https://www.iit.edu/hr/benefits
Communications
Excellent communication skills required when working with university staff, outside vendors and current and prospective students, including in-person and virtual advising, presentations, email, and phone outreach.
Customer Service
Excellent customer service required when working with university staff, outside vendors and current and prospective students. Broad knowledge of university functions and depth of Financial aid requirements necessary to cultivate relationships with students and across campus. The ability to maintain student confidentiality is essential in this position.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s required.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in veterans affairs, financial aid, admissions, or enrollment services.
Military Veteran or knowledge of military experience, benefits, and transcripts is beneficial
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Exercises great attention to detail utilizing analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrate the ability to adapt in a high pace environment
Must keep abreast of changes with Federal Student Aid and Veterans/ Military benefits programs.
Must be able to manage multiple projects and coordinate with collaborators simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability and experience to handle complex and sensitive issues.
Strong written and verbal communications with proven ability to maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents in order to provide support for the office and the students it serves required
Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based environment
Excellent commitment to diversity and to service the needs of a diverse population
Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently
Works well in translating financial aid requirements into operational activities supporting overall enrollment efforts
Influences management by supplying key data that assists in decision making
Physical Environment and Requirements
Office environment; must be able to sit at computer for long periods of time.
List any certifications or licenses that are either required or helpful in performing the job, designating whether required or preferred.
N/A
Key Responsibility
Services
Counsel students (in person, virtually, over phone, and email) on all aspects of the financial aid process, including FAFSA completion, cost of attendance, awarding of federal funds, loan borrowing and management, financial hardship situations, etc.
Serve as member of counseling team to support student appointments (in-person & virtual) and walk-in needs. Assist in the direction of student inquiries to other staff as needed and provide leadership to the counseling staff for escalation needs
Meet with students in a co-terminal program to ensure aid receipt based on enrollment is understood so students can plan course schedule accordingly
In support of the Director of Financial Aid Services, provide escalation assistance for all service needs with a solution mindset to support the student experience and positive team culture
Percentage Of Time25
Key Responsibility
Operations
Process ROTC funds for eligible students; coordinate with each branch to ensure timely process each term and assist students in understanding impact on overall aid offer
Oversee financial aid processing needs for key populations such as part-time scholarship requests, reinstatements, and scholar programs
Assist with reconciliation and discrepancies with Student Accounting for veteran and special populations going through third-party billing
Assist with completion of financial aid processes including but not limited to verification, c-flags, private loan processing, etc.
Process financial aid hardship appeals in accordance with federal professional judgement guidelines
Process satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals to review students in continued eligibility for federal aid
Percentage Of Time20
Key Responsibility
Veterans
Adhere to all VA principles of excellence to provide high quality services and support to veteran students
Certify enrollment and benefits each term for benefits eligible students, including allowable tuition and fees; monitoring any changes in enrollment or aid to ensure accuracy and ensure VA benefits are processed as last payer with all other applicable aid by working closely with the Offices of the Registrar and Student Accounting
Ensure cost transparency based on VA guidelines with the maintenance of the shopping sheet in conjunction with the Senior Financial Aid Director
Provide timely support for all veteran student data for annual financial audits and periodic veteran compliance surveys
Supply data validation for all veteran student reporting requirements, including internal and external requirements such as IPEDS and USNews surveys
Monitor student’s standards of progress and report ineligible students to the VA accordingly
Maintain proper record retention in accordance with the VA guidelines
Counsel students processing veteran benefits on financial, enrollment, and any other needs that may arise to support overall student success for this population
Liaise needs internally to ensure veteran students have holistic support throughout academic career
Working collaboratively with admissions, marketing, financial aid, and academic affairs units for the purpose of recruiting military students, including attending events to support enrollment and retention
Remain current regarding state, federal, and university regulations and policies related to veteran’s benefits and federal compliance
Support the development of and serve on a Veteran’s Services task force with key stakeholders from enrollment, academics, and student affairs to develop and support a robust veteran experience at Illinois Tech
Collaborate the delivery of special veterans’ related programming (ex: Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and veterans support groups) with key campus stakeholders
Conducts training for faculty and staff on matters related to veteran student needs
Percentage Of Time35
Key Responsibility
Compliance
Liaise between student and government agencies to address inquiries and resolve issues with federal aid or veteran benefits eligibility and/or processing
Provide input on any financial aid or veteran compliance related policies and procedures to ensure continued organizational and student eligibility for funds
Ensure all required university documentation for processing all military benefits is kept current and monitored by key university leadership stakeholders
Percentage Of Time10
Key Responsibility
Leadership
Serve on the financial literacy committee and assist the Director of Financial Aid Services in providing programming, tools, and support for student literacy and cost planning needs
Provide support to all financial aid staff to resolve financial aid discrepancies and resolve issues to ensure integrity in aid administration
Provide regular training to the financial aid staff on all service, processing, and operational needs in collaboration with the Senior Director and Director of Financial Aid Services
Contribute to the implementation of Financial Aid and university policies and procedures for the office
Other duties and special projects as assigned
Percentage Of Time5
Key Responsibility
Events
This role will work at several events each aid year to assist students and families in understanding the financial aid process, their individual aid offer, veteran benefit options, and enrollment next steps. Some nights and weekends are required for university events.
Percentage Of Time5