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Director Financial Aid Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UAB

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-FINANCIAL AID

Tampa, FL

$43K - $46K/yr

The Financial Aid Assistant Director reports to the Director of the Student Financial Aid Office and is responsible for administering federal, state, and institutional programs to fulfill federal and ...

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Director Financial Aid information

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$27.5K

$89.9K

$186.5K

How much do director financial aid jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for director financial aid in the United States is $89,912.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,000.00 and $110,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Financial Aid, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Financial Aid often navigates challenges such as ensuring regulatory compliance, managing high volumes of student inquiries, and adapting to frequent changes in federal and state aid policies. Balancing the needs of students with institutional requirements and deadlines can be demanding. Successful directors rely on strong organizational skills, ongoing professional development, and effective collaboration with admissions, registrar, and finance departments to address these challenges and support student success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Financial Aid, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Financial Aid, you need expertise in financial aid regulations, compliance, and higher education administration, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with federal and state financial aid systems, student information systems (such as Banner or PowerFAIDS), and regulatory tools like FAFSA is essential. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help foster team effectiveness and provide clear guidance to students and staff. These skills ensure accurate administration of aid programs, regulatory compliance, and equitable support for students navigating financial challenges.

What does a Director of Financial Aid do?

A Director of Financial Aid oversees and manages the financial aid office at an educational institution. They are responsible for developing policies, administering federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. The director also supervises staff, provides guidance to students and families about financial aid options, and works to maximize access to financial resources for students. Their role is crucial in helping students afford their education while maintaining the institution’s financial aid integrity.

What is the difference between Director Financial Aid vs Financial Aid Manager?

AspectDirector Financial AidFinancial Aid Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire financial aid department, develops policies, manages staff, and ensures compliance with regulations.Manages daily operations of financial aid programs, processes applications, and assists students with aid options.
Required CredentialsBachelor’s degree; often a master’s; experience in financial aid or higher education.Bachelor’s degree; experience in financial aid or student services.
Work EnvironmentHigher education institutions, administrative offices.Financial aid offices, student services departments.

The main difference is that the Director Financial Aid holds a leadership role overseeing the entire department, while the Financial Aid Manager handles daily operations and student interactions. Both roles require relevant experience and education, but the director typically has broader strategic responsibilities.

What Does a Financial Aid Director Do?

A financial aid director oversees the financial aid department at a private school, college, or university. In this career, your primary job duties are to implement financial aid programs and oversee financial aid staff as they evaluate student eligibility for loans, grants, and work-study options. Your responsibilities are to verify the information in financial aid applications, monitor sources of federal and state funding, track enrollment statistics and expenditures, and administer programs that meet the needs of your school.

More about Director Financial Aid jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Financial Aid jobs? Cities with the most Director Financial Aid job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Financial Aid jobs? The most popular types of Financial Aid jobs are:
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Director Financial Aid jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Financial Aid job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,912 per year, or $43.2 per hour.
Assistant Director, Financial Aid Processing

Assistant Director, Financial Aid Processing

University of San Francisco

Hilltop, MN

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Title:

Assistant Director, Financial Aid Processing

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Processing is responsible for the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of financial aid processing operations with a primary focus on private education loan certification, Schedule of Reductions (SOR) management, and federal Graduate/Parent PLUS Loan support. This position ensures compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and lender requirements while supporting efficient and student-centered service delivery.
The Assistant Director reports to the Sr. Associate Director of Financial Aid Compliance and Quality Assurance and serves as a subject matter expert in loan processing and collaborates closely with internal departments, loan servicers, and external stakeholders to support accurate and timely aid administration. The role also serves as a liaison to graduate and professional programs, supporting admissions teams, academic departments, and graduate students with financial aid processes and financing options. Additionally, the position assists in operational planning, staff training, reconciliation support, and process improvement initiatives within the Office of Financial Aid.

Full Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Serve as the primary administrator for institutional private education loan processing.

Review, certify, and process private loan applications in compliance with federal regulations, lender requirements, and institutional policies.

Monitor private loan processing timelines to ensure timely certification and disbursement.

Counsel students and families regarding private loan eligibility, borrowing limits, lender requirements, and alternative financing options.

Maintain strong working relationships with private loan lenders and servicers.

Research, resolve, and reconcile private loan discrepancies, rejected certifications, and funding.

Assist with lender list management and annual lender disclosure requirements, as applicable.

Manage institutional Schedule of Reductions (SOR) processes related to enrollment changes, withdrawal activity, and aid recalculations.

Review enrollment and registration changes to ensure accurate aid adjustments and compliance with federal and institutional regulations.

Coordinate reduction and return processes with Student Accounts.

Analyze and resolve overawards and aid discrepancies resulting from enrollment changes or external resources.

Support audit and compliance reviews related to Federal Student Loan processing

Provide operational support for Graduate PLUS and Parent PLUS Loan processing.

Review PLUS Loan eligibility, credit decision outcomes, and related documentation.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.

Assist with development and maintenance of processing procedures and documentation.

Analyze operational workflows and recommend improvements to increase efficiency and service quality.

Train and support financial aid staff on loan processing procedures and compliance requirements.

Provide high-level customer service to students, families, faculty, and campus partners.

Counsel students regarding financing options, borrowing responsibilities, and financial aid policies.

Develop and maintain clear communication materials related to private loans, PLUS Loans, and enrollment-related aid adjustments.

Support peak processing periods and outreach initiatives as needed such as customer service and outreach events.

Serve as a liaison to graduate and professional programs, partnering with admissions teams, academic departments, and campus stakeholders to support incoming and continuing graduate students.

Provide guidance to graduate/ professional students on financing options, loan borrowing strategies, and financial aid processes while supporting enrollment and retention initiatives through responsive, student-centered service.

Maintain a processing caseload for verifications and appeals.

Serve as a member of the SAP appeals committee.

And other duties as assigned.


Minimum Qualifications


Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and (3) years of experience working in financial aid or higher education preferred.

Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, to ensure compliance with policies, legislations and regulations.

Ability to work with a diverse student and staff population, engage in conflict resolution, coordination of interdepartmental projects, deal with outside agencies.

Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner verbally and in writing.

Ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.

Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.

Working knowledge, or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.

Understanding of and commitment to USF's Vision, Mission and Values.

Technical skills including intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, spreadsheet, document and email applications, and database management including use of automated financial aid systems, preferably Ellucian Banner system.

Detail and goal oriented with excellent organizational skills that enable one to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously.


Preferred Qualifications


Working knowledge of Banner.

Working knowledge of ELMOne, Ellucian Student Forms, and other financial aid systems.


Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$78,000 - 83,000 annualized; commensurate with experience

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