Financial Aid Director

About the Role

The Financial Aid Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the University's financial aid programs and services. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations governing student financial assistance while supporting student access, retention, and success.

Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Financial Aid Director oversees the administration of financial aid programs, student loan processing, satisfactory academic progress monitoring, Title IV compliance, financial aid counseling, reporting, audits, and departmental operations. The position serves as the University's primary subject matter expert on financial aid regulations and works collaboratively with Enrollment, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance, and other institutional stakeholders to support the student experience.

The Financial Aid Director supervises Financial Aid staff and ensures that the University's financial aid practices promote regulatory compliance, operational excellence, student service, and institutional effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience administering Title IV financial aid programs, regulations, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Experience with student information systems, financial aid management systems, and related technology platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and develop staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Student Affairs, Finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of financial aid administration experience.
• Previous experience leading a financial aid office or department.
• Experience serving as a School Certifying Official (SCO).
• Experience with financial aid audits, program reviews, accreditation activities, and federal reporting.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, and operational controls.
• Knowledge of enrollment management and student retention strategies.
• Experience with federal audits, program reviews, FISAP preparation, and campus-based aid administration.
• Experience presenting financial aid information to students, families, faculty, staff, and external audiences.

Key Responsibilities

FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATION & COMPLIANCE

• Direct and oversee the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and external financial aid programs.
• Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable financial aid regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial aid policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Monitor financial aid packaging and awarding processes to ensure consistency, compliance, and accuracy.
• Oversee administration of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits programs.
• Ensure timely certification of student enrollments and reporting of enrollment changes through applicable VA systems.
• Maintain compliance with VA regulations, audits, reporting requirements, and institutional approvals.
• Serve as the University's School Certifying Official (SCO) or supervise SCO activities.
• Oversee Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) processes and compliance.
• Oversee Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations and related regulatory requirements.
• Administer student loan processes and ensure accurate reporting to federal agencies and related systems.
• Maintain regulatory readiness for audits, program reviews, and accreditation activities.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS & REPORTING

• Oversee reconciliation processes for all financial aid funds and programs.
• Collaborate with Finance, Student Accounts, HR, and other departments to ensure accurate and timely financial aid transactions.
• Prepare and submit required federal, state, institutional, and external reports, including FISAP and other compliance-related filings.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and audit trails for all financial aid activities.
• Monitor fund utilization and ensure compliance with allocation and expenditure requirements.
• Assist with departmental budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.

STUDENT SERVICE & COUNSELING

• Provide leadership for student-centered financial aid services.
• Counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, financing options, satisfactory academic progress requirements, and related concerns.
• Oversee professional judgment, special circumstances, and appeals processes.
• Communicate financial aid policies and procedures clearly and effectively to students and families.
• Ensure timely and accurate responses to financial aid inquiries.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY AND CAMPUS-BASED PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Administer and oversee Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs.
• Develop annual awarding methodologies and monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with federal allocation requirements.
• Coordinate payroll reconciliation and federal reporting for campus-based aid programs.

APPEALS & SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ADMINISTRATION

• Establish and oversee financial aid appeals processes and committees.
• Review and administer appeals related to SAP, special circumstances, dependency overrides, and other allowable adjustments.
• Review and determine eligibility for dependency overrides, special circumstances appeals, unusual circumstances reviews, and satisfactory academic progress appeals.
• Chair or oversee financial aid appeals committees and related review processes.
• Ensure appeals are processed consistently and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Communicate appeal outcomes and available options to students.

LEADERSHIP & STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for Financial Aid staff.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, and service standards.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional service.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and professional development activities.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, training, and evaluation of department personnel.

OUTREACH, COMMUNICATION & INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION

• Develop and deliver financial aid presentations, workshops, and educational programs.
• Support enrollment, recruitment, and retention initiatives through financial aid outreach efforts.
• Maintain and update financial aid publications, forms, website content, and student communications.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance, Admissions, Marketing, and other departments to enhance student success.
• Serve as a resource to faculty and staff regarding financial aid policies and processes.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and industry best practices.
• Participate in professional associations, conferences, training programs, and continuing education activities.
• Monitor emerging trends and regulatory developments impacting higher education financial aid administration.
• Monitor and report on budget variances, providing recommendations for corrective action.
• Ensure effective utilization of resources across all departments under their supervision.

Skills Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, Title IV programs, and compliance requirements.
• Expertise in financial aid administration, including awarding, packaging, verification, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) processes.
• Knowledge of Veterans Affairs educational benefits programs and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of FISAP preparation, reconciliation, and campus-based aid administration.
• Experience with NSLDS, COD, EdConnect, FAFSA processing, and financial aid management systems.
• Strong leadership, staff supervision, coaching, and team development skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures while ensuring institutional compliance.
• Proficiency in financial reporting, reconciliation, audits, and data analysis.
• Experience with student information systems, financial aid management systems, and related technology platforms.
• Strong strategic planning, operational management, and process improvement capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and effectively support institutional goals.
• Strong commitment to student service, confidentiality, professionalism, and continuous improvement.