THEN AND NOW: REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST
&
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

From the VASFAA Archives:

What Academic Year Was It?

Can you guess what academic year this all happened? The answer to the question will be in the next issue of the VASFAA Newsletter.

Come on, won’t you play along?

All this happened during this academic year:

The VASFAA Loan Committee was established by the Executive Board in order to enhance the relationship between the aid community, lenders and the State Education Assistance Authority. The first charge given to the committee was to work toward developing a single Virginia loan application by the next academic year.

The VASFAA Executive Board decided to “protect” the association by recommending Incorporation to the membership.

The Fall Conference was at the Ramada Inn in Charlottesville and the Spring Conference was at the Lynchburg Hilton. Our program chair was Marvin Ragland of Longwood College.

The Minority Affairs Committee’s prime objective for this year was to complete and publish a brochure geared towards the minority student. Cynthia Hunter of the Education Opportunity Center in Virginia Beach was the chairperson.

Our 4th Annual Awareness Campaign was scheduled for the weeks of January 16th through January 31st. The committee had a Hotline, awareness posters, press releases and a governor’s certificate of recognition. The governor at the time was Charles Robb (that’s a hint).

Have you guessed the year? Let me help you out some more…..

Rita Bodie (GMU) was our President, John McRae (Roanoke College) was our Vice President, Steve Stocks (Virginia Wesleyan) was our Secretary and Larry Ewing (VWCC) was our Treasurer.

Here are some historical events that happened during this academic year:

     · Benigno Aquino of the Philippines was assassinated in Manila.

     · US President Ronald Reagan invades Grenada.

     · US Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon was bombed killing 241.

     · Marvin Gaye was killed by his father.

I hope you have enjoyed playing along. I will publish the answer to this question in the next issue of the VASFAA Newsletter.

Is that you final answer?????

Submitted by Holly Rison, VASFAA Archivist, Randolph Macon College

Professional Opportunities

Information Technology Specialist I, Financial Aid Office
Richard Bland College

Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary has an immediate opening for the position of Information Technology Specialist I. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, Richard Bland College is a two-year Junior College with approximately 1,400 students.

The Information Technology Specialist I will serve as systems coordinator of the Banner Financial Aid System. Duties include acting as liaison to the Office of Information Technology; coordinating testing and functionality of systems enhancements; managing financial aid records in Banner utilizing EDE and EDconnect software; developing reports from Banner; performing fundamental financial aid procedures and functions.

The position requires the candidate to communicate effectively and to provide financial aid counseling for students and parents. Must have a demonstrated ability to manage an integrated financial aid computer system (experience with Banner is desired). Prefer candidates with knowledge of financial aid rules and regulations, with the ability to interpret complex rules to ensure compliance and accuracy, and with proficiency in Microsoft Access and Excel.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in information systems, business or a related field, or considerable experience working with automated systems is required. Position - Pay Band 4. Salary - Commensurate with experience.

Interested applicants must complete the Commonwealth of Virginia application for Employment (DPT Form 10-012) and return it to the Human Resource Office, Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2004. Position available as soon thereafter as possible.

Richard Bland College is an AA/EEO Employer.

Regional Training Executive
USA Funds Services

Website Address: http://www.salliemae.com/jobs/jobsearch_frame.html 
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Home Office in EASFAA region, CT
Deadline Date: Until Filled
Description: The Regional Training Executive serves as a source of contact on USA Funds training issues for school customers. Acting as an expert resource to school customers and marketing field staff, the executive performs a wide variety of functions. Major activities include the planning, preparing, and presenting standard and customized training programs for schools. In addition, the Regional Training Executive supports sales staff build and maintain relationships. This is accomplished by monitoring trends and participating in enhancing schools' internal training programs. Training topics include federal financial aid topics, and other topics to help support customers such as customer service topics. The purpose of the training programs is to educate customers on financial aid topics and USA Funds products. The Regional Training Executive’s efforts assist in supporting the USA Funds’ overall marketing effort by helping financial aid administrators in the performance of their duties.
1. Provide training services within the assigned region of the United States. Travel requirement up to 70%. 65%
2. Maintains a thorough working knowledge of federal rules and regulations and USA Funds policies and procedures, 15%
as well as operational procedures.
3. Develops training tools for USA Funds customer training programs. 10%
4. Participates in and occasionally leads training project teams. 5
5. Performs all other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree

MUST HAVE:
o Three (3) years experience as a financial aid administrator at a post-secondary educational institution.
o Two (2) years experience in a position where formal training, teaching or public speaking was a job requirement.
o Two (2) years experience in a position requiring project planning and management.
o One (1) year experience in a position requiring direct or indirect departmental financial accountability.
o Successful customer contact experience.
o Prior comprehensive course development experience preferred.
o Demonstrated experience in training manual development preferred.

Electronic Resumes: Yes
Instructions: Go to http://www.salliemae.com/jobs/jobsearch_frame.html to view further details and apply
CONTACT INFORMATION: http://www.salliemae.com/jobs/ 

Director of Student Finance
DeVry University

The Arlington,VA campus of DeVry University seeks a Director of Student Finance. Candidate will be responsible for the leadership and management, fund management, quality assurance, customer service, receivable and default management and financial aid processing. Must be able to multi-task, work under pressure, have strong customer service and computer skills and be detailed oriented. Candidates must possess the following:

* Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Business, Accounting or Finance. Master's preferred.
* Five to ten years of student finance experience.
* At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in student finance within an educational environment.
* Minimum 2 years of experience supervising operations of a student finance department (experience with proprietary educational institutions preferred).

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Please submit your resume in confidence with salary requirements to:
http://www.devry.com/careers

DeVry University, a division of DeVry Inc., is a regionally-accredited international higher education leader offering Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's degree programs in technology, business, and management. It is comprised of 24 university campuses and 45 adult learning centers in the United States and Canada, including DeVry University Online.

Director of Financial Aid
King College

King College, a Presbyterian-affiliated comprehensive college located in Bristol, TN invites applications for the position of Director of Financial Aid.

The Director of Financial Aid administers King College’s financial aid program by utilizing college resources to maximize enrollment while maintaining full compliance with all federal, state, and College regulations, policies, and procedures. The Director of Financial Aid must work with co-workers, faculty, staff, students and their families, Federal loan lenders and guarantee agencies, the Department of Education, high school counselors, other financial administrators, and the community to provide efficient financial aid services.

Reports to: Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management

Qualifications:
Successful candidates for this position will have:

   · A minimum of 3 years experience in higher education financial aid.

   · A bachelor’s degree in related field. Candidates with higher degree
     completions will be given preferred consideration.

   · Comprehensive knowledge of the PowerFaids Financial Aid software
     including annual setup, routine processing, data import and export functions.

Considerable knowledge of financial aid programs and compliance issues, enrollment management, and budget administration.
Familiarity with managerial and policy formulation.
Proficiency in data analysis, research and spreadsheet modeling.
Outstanding communication (both oral and written) and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and to maintain confidentiality where appropriate.
An advisory committee will begin reviewing applications on October 18, 2004. Expressions of interest including a resume and names of five references should be sent to:

Carol Green
King College
1350 King College Road
Bristol, TN 37620
csgreen@king.edu
www.king.edu