JOB SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid will play a pivotal role in overseeing

the comprehensive administration of the university’s financial aid and scholarship programs. This position will support the Director in ensuring the effective delivery of financial aid services, compliance with regulations, and the development of strategies to enhance student access to financial resources. The Associate Director will lead efforts to optimize financial aid operations, supervise staff, and provide expert guidance to students and their families.

Saginaw Valley State University is committed to providing a high-quality higher education in an effort to transform the lives of our learners and become leaders in our local and global communities. It is of the utmost importance that this education be affordable and accessible to qualified students who will benefit from an SVSU education. To that end, this Associate Director will play a critical role in ensuring that (through effective and timely communication) prospective and current students understand the affordability of an SVSU program and receive (or have access to) aid to help cover costs and remove financial barriers from their path to degree/program completion.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Director in the overall management and administration of all financial aid and scholarship programs, including federal, state, institutional, and private aid.

• Oversee the daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery to students and compliance with all applicable regulations.

• Supervise, train, and evaluate support staff and student employees, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

• Responsible for assisting the Director with the onboarding of new financial aid staff and/the cross-training of financial aid staff into new job functions.

• As a critical member of the leadership team of the Division of Enrollment Management, contribute to strategic planning and operational changes that leverage financial aid and scholarships to increase student enrollment (both attraction and retention).

• Develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance financial aid processes to improve the student experience and ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations.

• Coordinate the setup, implementation, and monitoring of financial aid processes within the university’s financial aid management system.

• Manage the financial aid reporting process, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of data.

• Collaborate with other university departments to resolve issues, streamline processes, and support student success.

• Provide financial aid advising to students and parents, offering guidance on financial aid options, application procedures, and eligibility requirements.

• Conduct outreach and information sessions to educate students, families, and the campus community about financial aid programs and resources.

• Serve as a liaison across the University to ensure federal, state, and institutional financial aid compliance is executed effectively.

• Stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes, participating in professional development activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge.

• Participate in the development and implementation of communication strategies to effectively inform students and families about financial aid opportunities.

• Monitor and assess the effectiveness of financial aid programs and services, making recommendations for improvements as needed.

• Represent the financial aid office at campus events, committee meetings, and professional conferences. This position has daily processing responsibilities.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Functional supervision is exercised over the clerical and student staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• A minimum of two years of experience in a financial aid office at a college or university.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and work under pressure.

• A strong commitment to customer service and student success.

• Proficiency in financial aid management systems and other relevant software applications.

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.

• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

About Saginaw Valley State University

About SVSU:Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. For eight consecutive years, SVSU has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” (2016-2023).SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housin...g that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2023). SVSU fields 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.

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