Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is responsible for providing comprehensive financial aid counseling and support to students and families, administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, coordinating borrower success and default prevention initiatives, and serving as a backup resource for selected financial aid system functions. 

The Assistant Director plays a key role in supporting the effective administration and delivery of student financial aid services at the University of Indianapolis. This position reviews and processes financial aid applications, advises students and families on available financial aid options, ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and supports student access, persistence, and success through comprehensive financial aid counseling and outreach. 

The Assistant Director serves as a primary resource for students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, financing options, responsible borrowing, loan repayment obligations, and financial literacy. The position coordinates borrower outreach and default prevention initiatives designed to promote successful loan repayment outcomes and reduce student loan delinquency and default rates. 

This position collaborates closely with academic departments and campus partners to support enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives. The Assistant Director also assists with scholarship administration, verification, professional judgment reviews, compliance activities, and other financial aid processes. 

In support of office operations, the Assistant Director serves as a secondary resource and backup for selected financial aid system functions, assisting with testing, report review, and operational processes as needed to support continuity of operations. The Assistant Director contributes to the University's enrollment, retention, and student success goals by helping students understand, secure, and successfully manage the financial resources necessary to complete their educational objectives. 

REQUIREMENTS/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Experience

• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, higher education student services, or a related field required.
• Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations, need analysis, verification, and financial aid eligibility requirements.
• Experience administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs within a higher education environment preferred.
• Experience with default prevention, financial literacy programming, borrower outreach, retention initiatives, or loan repayment counseling preferred.
• Experience with financial aid management systems (Banner, Cognos, Slate, or similar student information systems) strongly preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex federal regulations and financial aid policies.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated technical aptitude with student systems, reporting tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace. 

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Financial Aid Counseling and Student Services

• Counsel prospective and current students and families regarding federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.
• Review financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine aid eligibility.
• Assist students and families in understanding financial aid offers, financing options, borrowing decisions, and payment responsibilities.
• Process and review verification documents, professional judgment requests, dependency overrides, special circumstance appeals, and other financial aid reviews.
• Assist with scholarship administration, awarding, and eligibility reviews.
• Interpret and explain federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures.
• Resolve student and parent inquiries through in-person, phone, email, and virtual appointments.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Student Billing, Academic Advising, Athletics, and other campus partners to support student enrollment, retention, and success.
• Participate in financial aid presentations, orientation programs, FAFSA workshops, and outreach events. 

Default Prevention, Financial Literacy, and Student Success

• Coordinate the University's borrower delinquency, default prevention, and loan repayment success initiatives.
• Monitor borrower repayment trends, delinquency data, and federal loan outcomes to identify opportunities for proactive student outreach and support.
• Conduct targeted outreach to former students and borrowers regarding repayment options, loan servicer resources, and strategies to avoid delinquency and default.
• Represent the Office of Student Financial Services at orientation programs, workshops, financial aid events, and other student outreach initiatives.
• Provide entrance and exit counseling guidance and educate students regarding federal loan rights and responsibilities.
• Counsel students and families on financing options, borrowing decisions, and long-term financial wellness.
• Maintain records and documentation related to default prevention activities, borrower outreach efforts, and financial literacy initiatives.
• Prepare reports and recommendations related to borrower success, repayment outcomes, and default prevention efforts.

Systems Support and Operational Backup 

• Review system-generated reports and identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities to improve operational efficiency and student service.
• Assist with financial aid system operations, data integrity reviews, and technology-driven communication initiatives.
• Serve as a backup resource for designated Banner financial aid processing functions, system testing, report review, and operational processes to ensure continuity of operations during staff absences or peak processing periods.
• Other duties, including special projects, as required or assigned. 

Company Description

Thank you for your interest in the University of Indianapolis! The University is a private, liberal arts university located on 65 acres just minutes from downtown Indianapolis. With more than 700 faculty and staff, it is a place where you can become part of a close-knit campus community that emphasizes the importance of community partnerships in the future growth of the University.   

UIndy’s mission is to prepare its graduates for effective, responsible, and articulate membership in the complex societies in which they live and serve and for excellence and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The motto of "Education for Service" provides the foundation for our work to better our communities, both near and far.   

As University employees, we know the work we do is important to our students and our communities. To accomplish our mission, we welcome talented, civic-minded, and diverse individuals from all career levels to help maintain our high standards of excellence and quality. If you want to join our dynamic environment and experience hard work, creativity, and teamwork, we welcome your application!

The University of Indianapolis is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The University of Indianapolis does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission as required by Title IX. 

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Discount
• Retirement Savings Plan - 403B
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time Accruals
• Paid Holiday time and additional University days off
• Employee Discounts & Services
• Free Parking
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center

For more information about the benefits of being a staff member at UIndy, visit our Benefits site.