Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships to join our Financial Aid team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships is the chief financial aid administrator and is responsible for overall leadership of departmental operations, including management of federal, state, and institutional aid funds, as well as compliance with federal and state programs and adhering to best practices. In collaboration with key partners across the University, the financial aid & scholarship director effectively manages financial aid for students and their supporters in alignment with CWUs vision, mission, and commitment to access and opportunity.

The Director possesses an in-depth knowledge of higher education, and an extensive understanding of the important role financial aid plays in enrollment management. As an integral member of the Universitys enrollment management leadership team, the Director works closely with the admissions team to support enrollment, student access, retention, program assessment, and student success. The Director has primary responsibility for leadership, resource management, and administrative oversight of the accurate delivery of financial aid to qualified students in a supportive and timely manner. The Director must ensure the proper administration of all federal, state, and institutional student financial assistance. The Director will be an active and visible leader both on campus and in the larger financial aid community. This position will require the use of skill and knowledge to analyze and exercise judgement while conducting federal needs analysis, verification, award packaging, and other Title IV aid processes. The Director will be responsible for providing updates in policies and procedures as they pertain to Federal, State, and institutional student aid funds. The Director will require minimal guidance and supervision while managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. The position requires the ability to respond with appropriate urgency to situations requiring a quick turnaround, take effective action when all information may not be readily available, and proactively anticipate and address potential problems. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Leadership & Team Management Duties:

• The Director provides leadership and professional development for the Financial Aid & Scholarships staff, recognizes and promotes a diverse workforce, values and encourages diverse perspectives and teamwork.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure equitable access to financial aid for underrepresented and marginalized student populations.
• Collaborate with campus partners to promote diversity and inclusion within financial aid services.
• Advocate for policies and practices that support the financial needs of diverse student groups.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff and plans, coordinates, and arranges for appropriate training. Clearly defines performance expectations, ensures accountability, and provides ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentorship and promptly resolves concerns.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to accomplish the organizations goals and objectives effectively; recruits, employs, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff.
• Serves on the Enrollment Management Leadership team, develops plans, and contributes to the long- and short-term strategic planning for the recruitment and retention of students.
• The director participates in and represents the University at national, regional, and state professional organizations. The Director is responsible for managing over $200 million in financial aid for the university.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence through exemplary leadership, directing customer service standards, proactively addressing challenges and resolving conflict amicably; demonstrates ability to build, maintain, and mentor a high-performing team through positive morale and workplace culture.
• Work with staff to focus on providing excellent customer service and maintain cordial working relationships with students, parents, the campus community and external customers.

Administrative Duties:

• Provides overall administration of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and the university financial aid programs. The Director provides leadership for planning, managing, and evaluating personnel, programs, and budgets while ensuring timely, sensitive, and accurate delivery of financial aid to students in a highly regulated environment.
• Develops and implements application intake and tracking processes to ensure proper documentation of all awards for auditors, program reviewers, and accreditation teams.
• Direct and coordinate the efficient delivery of all student financial aid programs.
• Oversees all financial aid processes for awarding grants, federal work-study, loans, and scholarships.
• Serves as main contact with USDOE/Federal Student Aid.
• Maintains CWUs Program Participation Agreement (PPA) with USDOE. File required applications for Title IV recertification and required PPA updates in a timely manner.
• Collaborates and partners with various University offices including Admissions & Recruitment, Registrars Office, Information Technology, Student Account Services, and the Division of Budget & Finance on effective and efficient workflow processes and deadlines.
• Exercise full responsibility for all federal financial aid programs including but not limited to Direct Lending, Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Perkins Loans, and Federal Work-study; all state financial aid programs including but not limited to State need Grant, State Work-study, EOG, WAVE, Washington Scholars, College Bound, Passport; and institutional financial aid programs including but not limited to CWU Grant, CWU Tuition Waiver, and Scholarships.
• Develop and conduct annual review and development of student budgets, satisfactory academic progress policy, packaging policy, awarding strategy, and Federal Return of Title IV policy within the guidelines required by Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended, CRF 34, the Washington State RCW and the Washington Student Achievement Council.

Compliance & Process Management Duties:

• The Director is responsible for submission of timely and accurate financial aid reports as required by federal and state entities, included but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP).
• The Director is also responsible for ensuring timely and customer-oriented services to students and the campus community while maintaining compliance with all federal and state regulations and campus policies pertaining to student financial aid.
• Develops and implements policies, programs, procedures, and audits to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and University policies. Monitor campus-based aid (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Work- Study) allocations.
• Guide and oversee the development, documentation, and implementation of financial aid policies and procedures that adhere to federal and state compliance requirements and align with CWUs Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Plan.
• Prepare for and coordinate annual audits, as well as state and federal program reviews, as needed.
• The Director is highly knowledgeable of all federal and state regulations dealing with student financial aid and must stay current with changes as they occur.
• Coordinates with institution, state, and federal agencies to resolve disputes or discrepancies.
• Works with Financial Services/Controller and financial services staff to reconcile state and federal accounts and scholarships, including preparation for the audit.
• Interpret and analyzes changes in federal, state, and institutional financial aid laws, regulations, policies, and programs; advises and informs university administration regarding their potential impact on institutional budgets, services, resources, and enrollment; and develops and recommends strategies to mitigate financial and operational impacts while supporting institutional priorities and student enrollment.
• Establish and maintain effective oral, written, print and electronic media communications for current and prospective students, parents, university personnel and the general public so that current requirements as well as continuing changes in Financial Aid are communicated in a clear and understandable manner.
• Remain abreast of changes or upgrades to the student financial services administrative enterprise computer system which may impact Student Financial Services processes.

Supervisor Duties:

• Actively engage in recruitment and hiring new employees
• Clearly define performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provide ongoing informal feedback, coaching, and mentoring. Conduct formal performance evaluations.
• Ensure employees have necessary resources.
• Oversee and direct the work of staff; serve as mentor, coach, and leader, and resolve complaints or issues.
• Promote professional development opportunities.
• Develop and foster supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement.
• Communicate information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be a part of a larger community.
• Take corrective action in a timely manner.
• Recognize and reward employees for good performance.
• Schedule employee work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked; approve payable time and absence requests.
• Adjust leadership style as needed to achieve results.
• Recognize value of and promote a diverse workforce. Value and encourage diverse perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial aid administration and/or a bachelors degree in financial aid, higher education administration, business administration, public administration or related field and four years of professional experience.
• Three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated successful and significant experience in financial aid including the ability to develop, implement, and manage financial aid programs and provide leadership for the university and staff.
• High level of demonstrated knowledge in administration and disbursement of federal and state aid programs, including current best practices, emerging trends, and regulatory requirements, as well as active engagement and participation in state, regional, and national financial aid professional associations.
• Experience ensuring compliance with federal and state reconciliation and reporting requirements, and other regulations pertaining to Federal Direct Loan and private loan programs.
• Experience utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, such as Microsoft Suite products to create, modify and format documents and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience fostering a supportive and effective workplace while working with students and/or colleagues to uphold institutional excellence.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Five (5) years of experience as a director of financial aid at a college or university.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Student Aid regulations, laws and procedures.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal communication, and relationship building skills.
• Impeccable track record of integrity with strong budgetary skills demonstrated by successful fiscal management and performing such functions as budget projections, generating reports, balancing multiple budgets, reviewing expenditures, recognizing inconsistencies, and initiating budget transfers.
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: The Hiring Departments expected hiring range is $92,475 - $123,300 annually. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the full annual salary range for this position is $92,475 to $138,713.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: September 23, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Hung Dang

Title: Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management

Email: Hung.Dang@cwu.edu

Phone: 509-963-1219

Website: cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.