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Assistant Director for Compliance and Pell and Loan Operations

Colorado State University
locationFort Collins, CO, USA
PublishedPublished: Published 2 weeks ago
Regulatory Compliance
Posting Details

Posting Detail Information

Working Title
Assistant Director for Compliance and Pell and Loan Operations

Position Location
Fort Collins, CO

Work Location
Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position
No

Posting Number
202500767AP

Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title
Management I

Number of Vacancies
1

Work Hours/Week
40

Proposed Annual Salary Range
$63,000 - $65,000 Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!
Desired Start Date
08/04/2025

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
06/23/2025

Description of Work Unit

Colorado State University (CSU) is a Carnegie research-extensive land grant university committed to the idea that educated and motivated people can make a difference in the world. CSU expects its graduates to become active, responsible citizens who excel in a competitive world. The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) operates under the Division of Enrollment and Access and provides student-centered assistance by working under Federal, State, and University guidance to enable students to enroll, manage their finances, achieve their academic goals, and graduate in a timely manner.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director for Operations and serving as a member of the Operations management team, the Assistant Director for Compliance and Pell and Loan Operations (referenced as Assistant Director, forward) provides general oversight and coordination for operational functions required to administer key Title IV financial aid programs. The Assistant Director leads the Pell and Loans Team within the Operations unit of the Office of Financial Aid, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans, Health Professions Student Loan, the CSU Institutional Loan Program, and Private/Alternative loan programs.

The Assistant Director, in collaboration with the Associate Director for Operations, establishes institutional processing parameters and integrates necessary reconciliation for all Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans, Health Professions Student Loan, the CSU Institutional Loan Program, and Private/Alternative loan programs. This position continually evaluates eligibility, discrepancies, and the need for award revisions within the student aid package using systematic processes. Concurrent to these core duties and in conjunction with the Associate Director for Operations, the Assistant Director serves as a compliance management official for the department, tasked with helping to ensure program integrity for federal, state, institutional, and private funding sources administered by CSU. The Assistant Director ensures that these operational activities are managed efficiently, effectively, compliantly, and in full adherence to the mission and culture of the Colorado State University. This is a twelve-month, full-time permanent position

Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, arts, agricultural sciences, or related field.
  • Three years of full-time professional experience (excluding student employee experience) working in a Title IV Financial Aid Office with a demonstrated knowledge of federal student financial aid regulations.
  • Must have been employed in a Title IV Financial Aid Office within the last twelve months.
  • At least one year's professional experience managing full-time, professional staff.
  • Specific operational knowledge of the federal Pell Grant program, federal Direct Loan programs, and alternative/private loan programs. This includes origination processing, disbursement processing, error resolution, and reconciliation of accounts.
  • Specific knowledge of external systems used to administer Title IV student aid programs, including the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS), and Common Originations and Disbursements (COD) system.
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills, as demonstrated by application materials submitted.
  • Demonstrated experience in delivering excellent customer service to students, families, and both on- and off-campus constituents.
  • Demonstrated experience in advising students on complex financial aid concepts in individual and group settings.
  • A demonstrated commitment to upholding and advancing CSU's mission as a premier land grant institution.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Working knowledge of Ellucian Banner student information system.
  • Working knowledge of ApplicationXtender Document Manager system.
  • Five or more years of full-time professional experience working in a Title IV Financial Aid Office with a demonstrated knowledge of federal student financial aid regulations.
  • Master's degree in higher education or related field
Essential Duties

Job Duty Category
Title IV Program Administration

Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop, work within, and refine institutional guidelines to ensure continued compliance with federal regulations governing the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans, and Health Professions Student Loan, and institutional loan programs.
  • Monitor Title IV awarding, disbursement, and reporting of origination and disbursement data to the U.S. Dept. of Education of Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loan awards to ensure compliance and reconciliation requirements are met by using data reports to analyze student eligibility and payments and resolving discrepancies or errors; this process is completed via the Banner financial aid module and US Dept. of Education databases, in adherence to prescribed Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loan program regulations and cash management guidelines.
  • Reviews, evaluates, and troubleshoots eligibility issues that result from overpayments, defaults, annual and aggregate loan limits, coursework applicability, repeat coursework, and fraud.
  • Develops parameters for calculating term-only loan awards; oversees the NSLDS Transfer Monitoring process and ensures award compliance within student need/budget limitations and annual/aggregate loan limits.
  • Develop, work within, and refine institutional guidelines to ensure continued compliance with state and/or institutional policies affecting Private/Alternative student loan products.
  • Coordinates the summer financial aid process; this includes setting a processing agenda, developing the summer financial aid processes, assigning tasks, training/apprising staff, and coordinating the summer process workflow.
Percentage Of Time
40%

Job Duty Category
Departmental Compliance Management

Duty/Responsibility
  • Works closely with the Associate Director for Operations to ensure program compliance, including interpretation of federal regulations and implementation of systems to enact those regulations in a manner that is in adherence to the mission and culture of Colorado State University.
  • Reviews, interprets, and disseminates regulatory and policy guidance from external agencies, including (but not limited to) the US Department of Education, Colorado Commission on Higher Education, NCAA, Higher Learning Commission, etc. Uses guidance to make recommendations to OFA Leadership Team for necessary policy or procedural adjustments.
  • Remains abreast of best practices in compliance management, including process analysis, policy/procedure creation & maintenance, and staff training on compliance-related topics. Ensures compliance with FERPA regulations.
  • Performs periodic review of departmental policies & procedures and identifies any areas requiring attention. Work with the Associate Director for Operations and Executive Director of Financial Aid to propose revisions to policies & procedures. Uses resources such as the NASFAA P&P Builder, NASFAA Implicit Bias Toolkit, State of Colorado audit guide, and other mechanisms to assess policies & procedures. This work is performed with a high level of attention to detail, great care for Colorado State University, and a continual commitment to equity, student access, and student success.
Percentage Of Time
20%

Job Duty Category
Management, Leadership, and Supervision

Duty/Responsibility
  • Serves as a key member of both the Operations Management Team and is a leader within OFA. The position is routinely expected to forward concerns or issues that impact the delivery of financial aid to students, along with well-developed solutions or other alternative courses of action.
  • Directly supervises full-time professional staff within the Pell and Loan Programs team.
    • Coordinator for Private and Health Professions Loans
    • Coordinator for CSU Ram Loan and Title IV Compliance
    • Pell and Loan Programs Operations Specialist
Percentage Of Time
30%

Job Duty Category
Counseling and Training

Duty/Responsibility
  • Develops and provides training to OFA staff processes, policies, and procedures for financial aid programs.
  • Assists as needed with Financial Aid outreach efforts on campus and within the community. Assists as needed with university recruitment programs, such as visit days for prospective students and activities targeting admitted students.
  • Counsel students and families on the availability and eligibility of financial aid programs.
Percentage Of Time
5%

Job Duty Category
Professional Development

Duty/Responsibility
  • Represent OFA and the University to outside agencies. Attend professional conferences and actively engage in professional associations and forums to remain abreast of federal student aid regulations, guidelines, processes, and best practices.
Percentage Of Time
5%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver's License, On-call Status - Addressing inherent technology issues, disbursement challenges, etc. which may require assistance during "off-work" hours, Travel - Travel to conferences for federal updates, industry training, etc., Special Requirements/Other - Credit Check Required

Search Contact
Corey Martin, martincl@colostate.edu

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.