Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Fargo, ND

Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College
invites internal applications for the position of:

Assistant Director of
Financial Aid

MSUAASF JOB POSTING

OPENING DATE: November 27, 2023

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Initial review of

applications will begin on Wednesday, January 3rd, so applications
should be submitted by that time for guaranteed consideration.

POSITION LOCATION: Financial Aid - Bemidji State University

JOB TYPE / SCHEDULE: Full-time / Probationary / Non-Exempt

PAY / SALARY RANGE: Depends on Qualifications; Range C ($45,352 - $91,288)



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%)

o 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.

o 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%)

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%)

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%)

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%)

financial aid nights at area high schools.

• Other Duties. (5%)

development of financial aid policies, procedures, computer software and systems at BSU and
NTC and other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Master’s Degree.

• Three (3) years of financial aid or related higher education experience.
• Ability to participate as a team member.

To facilitate the review, assessment, and evaluation process, please ensure that your application and/or
resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of these required and preferred qualifications.

Physical Effort:

• Individual must be able to function effectively in a stressful and emotionally charged environment.
• Some lifting and carrying of materials.
  

Other considerations:

• All applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of an offer of

• Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State

• In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState) Vehicle Fleet Safety

• 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
Email: stephanie.bard@bemidjistate.edu

If you have general questions about this posting or submitting an application, contact Mary Miller at
mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu



All employees must comply with department and institution procedures and policies, MinnState policies and
procedures, as well as local, state and federal laws, regulations, guidelines and business and industry standards.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty required of the position. It
is not intended to limit or 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 similar level of difficulty.

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.

For further information, visit our website at: http://www.bemidjistate.edu

Review a "special report on how this former lumber town has rebuilt itself as a high-speed, regional
center of enterprise" at Bemidji 2.0

Other Resources:

• Visit Bemidji – https://www.visitbemidji.com/
• 218 Relocate / Greater Bemidji – https://www.218relocate.com/
• Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce – https://www.bemidji.org/
• Explore Minnesota – https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/top-things-to-do-bemidji

Statement of Notice
Bemidji State University prohibits discrimination and sexual violence of any kind. Contact the Title IX
Coordinator if you have concerns regarding discrimination and/or sexual violence. Per Minnesota State System
Procedure 1B.3.1, all universities and colleges must provide contact information of their Title IX Coordinator.

Megan Zothman, Campus Human Resources Officer & Title IX Coordinator
Email: TitleIX@bemidjistate.edu or Megan.Zothman@BemidjiState.edu
Phone: (218) 755-2502
1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Deputy Hall, Room 335, Bemidji, MN 56601



Bemidji State University / Northwest Technical College are Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employers
and Educators. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Consumers
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