Associate Vice President of Administration & Director of Financial Aid (AVP-DFA)

Morris Brown College•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Overview: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Associate Vice President of Administration & Director of Financial Aid is an important part of the senior leadership team and a collaborative partner in meeting various institutional goals and objectives. The AVP-DFA serves as a member of the President's Executive team and works collaboratively across Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Academics, Enrollment Management, IT, and Finance to ensure seamless, compliant operations that support student success and institutional accountability. Furthermore, as Director of Financial Aid, this person is responsible for the oversight of the financial aid office, leveraging strategies, financial aid policies, and awarding practices to ensure the efficient and strategic distribution of aid in alignment with regulations. Additionally, the Director will demonstrate by example, a clear commitment to providing excellent customer service. Moreover, the Director of Financial Aid will ensure full compliance with all federal and state Title IV regulations and reporting.

Requirements

Master's degree in business, Accounting, Higher Education Administration, or related field; or a combination of education and relevant experience.
5+ years of direct experience managing the Administration of Title IV funds and leading a Financial Aid Team; or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Supervise, train, and lead a high-performing financial aid team
Oversee the counseling of students and families regarding funding options, including loans, scholarships, and grants.
Provide compliance training for staff; serve as subject matter expert for campus stakeholders.
Monitor the proper utilization of department funds and annual budgets
Manage daily operations, including system upgrades, data integrity, and student information systems.
Interpret federal, state, and institutional regulations to ensure strict adherence.
Manage Uniformed Guidance Audits, reporting, and Program Participation Agreements (PPA)
Monitor and adhere to all federal, state, and institutional regulations (Title IV, FERPA, GLBA).
Ensure compliance with ED requirements: disbursement, R2T4, SAP, consumer disclosures (Security Report, Net Price Calculator, IPEDS Report, Guide to Student Consumer Information, etc.)
Oversee compliance with scholarship programs and institutional aid policies.
Maintain documentation and audit trails for reviews.
Perform monthly Pell Grant and Direct Loan reconciliations with COD, G5, and internal records.
Investigate and resolve all discrepancies promptly.
Complete year-end reconciliation before federal deadlines; ensure accurate reporting for audits.
Complete FISAP before federal deadlines; ensure proper allocation and management of Campus Based funds (FWS and SEOG).
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and long-range planning for the financial aid office to optimize aid delivery.
Chair the Institution's Policy and Procedure Committee; responsible for reviewing and approving policies and procedures submitted to the committee.
Coordinate internal/external audits and federal program reviews.
Internal File Review and Disbursement approval
Prepare and submit required federal financial aid reports to DOE, address findings with corrective actions.
Serve as the institutional liaison to the Department of Education, state agencies, Third-Party Servicer, and external auditors for financial aid compliance matters.
Work collaboratively with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Registrar, and Enrollment Management to ensure compliance across all student financial processes.
Maintain transparent communication with senior leadership on compliance risks, audit outcomes, and policy changes.
Collaborate with IT, Finance, and Enrollment Management to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance in all systems.