Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS)

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS) to join our team.

The salary range for this position: $32.00 - 37.00 per hour (35-hour workweek)

Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Job Summary

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Reporting to the Director of Operations this position will counsel students and families on the financial aid process, determining eligibility, and awarding federal, state, and institutional aid. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the Federal Work Study Program and may assist with awarding and other programs as assigned.

This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed, remotely, hybrid with a minimum of 3 days on site or required as a condition of employment, subject to change depending on the staffing needs of the office.

Essential Functions

Financial Aid Advising and Compliance — 50%

• Counsel students and parents regarding federal, state, institutional and privately funded programs; explain student financial aid policies, procedures and processes; evaluate student situations and requests regarding financial aid awards; advise students on the timely completion of financial aid applications
• Manage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staff
• Assist in scholarship and award process including adjustments and revisions; advise students regarding standards of satisfactory academic progress, address problems and other matters pertaining to continued eligibility; respond to telephone calls, correspondence and email messages
• Assist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activities
• Provide counseling on budgeting, aggregate loan limits, debt management, bankruptcy and default resolution as it applies to financial aid; offer assistance and provide initial admission, accounting and registration information
• Ensure compliance on federal and state regulations
• Process all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid file

Operations — 30%

• Manage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staff
• Process all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid file
• Primary administrator for Federal Work study program:
  • Monitor and verify eligibility requirements for Federal Work study per Department of Education regulations

  • Maintain position descriptions and authorize students to work in Federal Work-Study positions

  • Develop, communicate, and cross train staff on student employment guidelines and process

  • Collaborate with Payroll regarding student eligibility and monitor student biweekly earnings

  • Interface with Human Resources Office to process required paperwork to add students to the payroll system

  • Set and adjust pay rates and end dates

  
  

Reporting and Compliance — 15%

• Ensure compliance on federal and state regulations
• Generate reports and meaningful data as needed

Other Duties — 5%

• Serve on educational or institutional committees as appropriate
• Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
• Assist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activities including Orientation
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience
• 4 years of current experience in financial aid, higher education, or similar work
• Experience with the Federal Work Study Program
• Adaptability to and knowledge of ever-changing regulations
• Commitment to the role of financial aid in providing educational access
• Knowledge of all federal and state regulations regarding financial aid
• Prior experience in counseling, information integration
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Experience with student software, COD, NSLDS, Web Grants
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with staff, students, parents, and other external contacts
• Organizational skills to prioritize, manage multiple assignments, and be a team player
• Ability to maintain detailed information with transparency and integrity
• Self-motivated, with ability for independent and detailed thinking
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter’s diverse communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with administration of Federal Work Study or other programs desirable
• Knowledge of art and design education
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague
• Prior experience in higher education
• Proficiency in a second language (other than English)

Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.

Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.

Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.

Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president

ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Coordinator or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.

Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.