Manager - OSFA Operations

Harper College; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper College seeks a seasoned administrator to manage the daily operation of student financial assistance, including applications, verification, scholarships, work-study, veteran benefits, grants, loans, and QA.

The role supervises OSFA staff and student employees, collaborates with compliance, and leads policy development and reporting to ensure excellent service to students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor's degree in student personnel education or related field (master's preferred).
• Minimum three years financial aid experience and three years supervisory/management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems, Ellucian Banner preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily operation of student financial assistance program.
• Supervises OSFA specialists, receptionist, and student employees.
• Ensures compliance with Federal and State regulations and school policies.
• Collaborates with campus offices and participates in audits and reporting.
• Develops QA processes and supports annual audits.

Skills

Financial aid experience

Supervisory experience

ERP systems knowledge

Verbal and written communication

Self-starter

Deadline-driven

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in student personnel education or related area

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

General Function

Manages the daily operation of student financial assistance, including; the application process, verification, scholarships (institutional, private, foundation), work study, veteran benefits, grants, loans and quality assurance. Supervises the OSFA specialists, receptionist and student employees to ensure effective scheduling, service and advising for current and prospective Harper College students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Overview

Manages the daily operation of student financial assistance, including; the application process, verification, scholarships (institutional, private, foundation), work study, veteran benefits, grants, loans and quality assurance. Supervises the OSFA specialists, receptionist and student employees to ensure effective scheduling, service and advising for current and prospective Harper College students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Characteristic Duties

• Manages the student financial assistance application process.
• Provides oversight and direction to the Financial Aid Specialists, receptionist, and student employees. This position will provide training and recommend professional development and will be responsible for their evaluation.
• Counsels students and manages student elevated issues and provides resolution to complaints/conflicts.
• Responsible for completing Personnel Action Notices (PANs), system/technology access requests and tracking and approving timecards.
• Verifies accuracy of staff work through a regimented Quality Assurance assessment.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of OSFA policy.
• Monitors Student service and responsiveness on the OSFA telephone, ticketing, and e-mail systems.
• Partners with the Compliance Officer to ensure that Federal and State regulations as well as school policies are being met.
• Collaborates with Compliance/Project Strategist and management team on maintaining content of the OSFA website
• Partners with Harper College Educational Foundation and scholarship Specialist in the awarding of endowment and notification to students.
• Oversees awarding and reconciliation of Private Scholarships by partnering with the Business and Accounting Services Offices.
• Generates reporting to the OSFA director, including Quality Assurance (QA), Summer Aid Application Processing, and other ad hoc reports upon request.
• Serves as the student service OSFA staff liaison to various campus offices, including but not limited to the One Stop, Business Office, Registrar’s, Admissions outreach, Center for New Students, and Counseling. Serves on Harper College campus teams.
• Partners with the Director of the One Stop (OS) and meets with OS weekly to ensure in the continued development of training on Financial Aid regulations, processes, workflows, etc., to ensure excellent service levels.
• Coordinates events and presents financial aid information at outreach activities on campus such as recruitment days on campus, high school presentations, convocations and financial aid awareness month activities.
• Processes student financial aid which includes verification of files; packaging and adjusting of awards; processing loans, scholarships and VA benefits.
• Manages OSFA Federal Work-study employees including areas of hiring, scheduling, timekeeping, training, and project assignment.
• Assists the Director with preparation for annual audits, program reviews, and veteran self‑assessments and audit.
• Oversees all Veteran processing and maintains Veteran Certifying Official status.
• Partners with the Director and Technology Manager to complete all annual set‑up, various projects in ERP system and departmental planning.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Work is primarily indoor and sedentary in nature. Available to work evening hours or weekends during peak processing cycles, enrollment‑related activities, or as needed.

Equipment/Tools Used

Utilizes standard office equipment, including computers, in order to perform the duties of the job.

Supervision

Under the general supervision of the Director of Student Financial Assistance. Supervises office staff and student aides.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

• Bachelors' degree in student personnel education or related area. Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum three years financial aid experience. Minimum three years of demonstrated supervisory/ management experience. Must have a strong working knowledge of ERP systems – Ellucian BANNER preferred. Excellent verbal and written skills required. Must be a self‑starter with high motivation. Able to perform under deadlines. Ability to work as a team and independently as required. Committed to the values of Harper College. Provide excellent quality, and enthusiastic service to students, faculty, administration and colleagues.