Details
Posted: 28-Nov-23
Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
Salary: Open
Location: Bemidji State University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Employment Condition: Probationary
Job Description:
Bemidji State University (BSU) and NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE (NTC) invite applicants to join our team as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. BSU and NTC are members of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and employ more than 600 faculty and staff.
BSU's vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU's vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth –
BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
BSU enrolls around 4,000 students and offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU's
Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship.
NTC has prepared students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields for more than 50 years. The college's accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help the region's employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. NTC serves more than 1,000 students with an excellent education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. Students may pursue nearly 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs in six distinct career paths. Classes are offered on campus, online, or as a combination of both.
The Assistant Director of Financial Aid assists the Director and Associate Director to plan, administer, manage, and coordinate the student financial aid programs at BSU and NTC. This position administers a number of Minnesota Office of Higher Education Programs, including but not limited to MN Postsecondary Child Care Grant, MN Indian Scholarship Program, and MN Teacher Training Preparation Grant, along with the Niganawenimaanaanig Nursing Grant, Tribal Grants and MN GI Bill Program. This individual counsels' students and parents, as well as verifies awards and revises financial aid awards.
Responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Financial Aid include:
- Administration of State Aid Programs. (25%)
- Administering several MN Office of Higher Education programs including the Postsecondary Childcare Grant Program, Fostering Independence Grant, DREAM Act, MN Teacher Candidate Grant Programs, etc. This includes requesting allocations/payments, calculating awards, provider verification for childcare grant, notification of award, award adjustments/overpayments and completing the year-end reports.
- Financial Aid Counseling. (20%)
- Meeting with current and prospective students and parents to discuss issues related to applying for and receiving financial aid at BSU, including financial aid eligibility, application procedures, governing regulations and debt management.
- Financial Aid Processing. (20%)
- Identifying and resolving conflicting financial and personal information using the MinnState ISRS financial aid system edits and verification processes. Reviewing eligibility for previous degree students and acting as liaison to Graduate Office for processing Graduate financial aid applications. Calculating student eligibility and awarding appropriate financial aid funds. Initiating and reviewing Special Situation and Special Circumstance inquiries. Providing backup assistance for NTC processes when necessary; this includes but is not limited to packaging, tracking edits and loan certification.
- American Indian Programs. (15%)
- Administering the Office of Higher Education MN Indian Scholarship Program, the MN Teacher Training Preparation Grant, and the American Indian Scholars Program, along with the Niganawenimaanaanig Nursing Grant at BSU. This includes completing budgets for each student, entering initial awards, award adjustments, and updating budgets periodically throughout the semester. Also working closely with the Scholarship Coordinator position on Tribal Grants.
- MN GI Bill Program & Third Party. (10%)
- Administering the MN GI Bill program for BSU and NTC which includes completing budgets, award adjustments/overpayments and completing the year-end report. Processing third party paperwork and other unique payments for students for BSU, including AmeriCorps funding.
- Outreach. (5%)
- Participating in BSU Academic Advising and Registration programs, BSU FYE classes, and financial aid nights at area high schools.
- Other Duties. (5%)
- Assisting students participating in international travel academic programs. Aiding with the development of financial aid policies, procedures, computer software and systems at BSU and NTC and other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications for this position include:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Two (2) years of financial aid or related experience.
- Computer software and technology skills.
- Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to receive and maintain access to federal student aid databases.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred qualifications include:
- Master's Degree.
- Three (3) years of financial aid or related higher education experience.
- Ability to participate as a team member.
- A demonstrate commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your application and/or resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of the qualifications.
Other Requirements:
Other considerations:
- All applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of employment.
- Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State University Associate of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF) – see agreement.
- Official transcript(s) must be provided to Human Resources upon hire.
- In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, faculty and staff driving on college/university business, who use a rental or state vehicle, shall be required to complete a vehicle Use Agreement form and conform to MinnState's vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
- BSU and NTC are tobacco free workplaces (see policy).
A complete application will include the following attachments:
- Cover letter, which addresses the required qualifications and your specific interest in working at BSU.
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae.
Inquiries about the position:
Stephanie Bard, Director of Financial Aid
Phone: (218) 755-2263
About:
UNIVERSITY / COMMUNITY
WHY BEMIDJI:
The greater Bemidji community has a population of 25,000 and serves as a regional center for education, commerce, recreation, health care, and the arts.
Bemidji State University is nestled among the pines along the shores of Lake Bemidji, Northwest Technical College is a short distance from Lake Bemidji, and both campuses are just blocks from a thriving downtown community. In this Northwoods setting, students, staff, and faculty have a variety of activities at their fingertips. Possessing all the charm and character of a college town, Bemidji remains a tight-knit community of good neighbors and engaged citizens who always come out to cheer for the Beavers. While the city of Bemidji — named after the Ojibwe Chief Shaynowishkung (nicknamed Bemidji) — is home to a diverse population of more than 15,000 people, it serves a regional population of more than 100,000.
Though quaint and historic, the city offers the urban conveniences upon which college students rely. Bemidji State is conveniently located minutes away from affordable restaurants, cozy coffee shops, grocery stores, city parks and more. Small, locally owned shops and art sculptures line the streets of downtown Bemidji, while national chains can be found in and around the Bemidji area, including an uptown selection of department stores and restaurants. students at Bemidji State University have the opportunity to experience a dynamic local culture and history. Bemidji also sits at the center of the legends of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The famous statues of Paul and Babe greet students as they drive in from the south along Lake Bemidji.
The thriving downtown community presents ample opportunities for engagement off-campus. Among other things, there are fine-dining restaurants, cafes, and a natural foods co-op in downtown Bemidji. The historic Paul Bunyan Playhouse has a calendar of classic shows; restaurants and lounges offer weekly live music performances; the First Friday Art Walk provides a tour of new monthly art exhibits; and annual events such as the Loop the Lake Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Blue Ox Marathon, Bemidji Winterfest, and The Minnesota Finlandia bring the community together.
For those who love the outdoors, there are wooded, multi-use trail systems within minutes of campus and community parks with walking trails, playgrounds and a skate park. Lake Bemidji State Park and its miles of navigable trails is located directly across the lake from BSU, and the Buena Vista Ski Area — just 12 miles north of campus — offers downhill skiing and BSU-sponsored student transportation in the winter months. Further, the Mississippi River Headwaters is a mere 45 minutes from Bemidji.
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About Bemidji State University
Bemidji State Universities (BSU) vision is to educate people to lead inspired lives. To accomplish BSU's vision, the University prioritizes creating a culture in which diversity is embraced and all people are safe, welcome, and validated. Centered between the three largest Tribal nations in Minnesota – Leech Lake, Red Lake, and White Earth – BSU also prioritizes increasing engagement with American Indian communities to become a destination university.
Enrolling more than 5,000 students, BSU offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. BSU's Shared Fundamental Values include civic engagement and leadership, international and multicultural understanding, belief in the power of the liberal arts, and environmental stewardship. BSU is located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota and occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. BSU balances rigorous academia with the opportunity to enjoy a fun, robust, outdoor culture. The proximity to the lake and the surrounding north woods allows easy access to an assortment of recreation.
Connections working at Bemidji State University