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Director Of Financial Aid Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Financial Aid About The Job Fortis College in Columbia SC is seeking an experienced, highly motivated Director for its Financial Aid Department. If you possess a desire to help others ...

Director of Financial Aid

Olivet, MI · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Director of Financial Aid Olivet, MI, US 2 days ago Requisition ID: 1842 Salary Range: $80,000.00 To $90,000.00 Annually The University of Olivet, a liberal arts institution with a historical ...

Director of Financial Aid

Wye Mills, MD · On-site

$84K - $135K/yr

The Director of Financial Aid oversees the administration of all federal Title IV financial aid programs, Maryland State Scholarship programs, and institutional scholarship awards. The position is ...

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Director Of Financial Aid information

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$27.5K

$89.9K

$186.5K

How much do director of financial aid jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of 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 does a director of financial aid do?

A Director of Financial Aid oversees the financial aid office at a college or university, ensuring that students receive the financial support they need to attend school. They manage the distribution of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, while making sure the institution complies with federal and state regulations. This role involves supervising staff, developing policies, evaluating applications, and providing guidance to students and families about available funding options. They also monitor budgets and report on financial aid data to school leadership.

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, policy development, and student financial services, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with federal student aid systems (such as FAFSA), financial aid management software, and compliance certifications like NASFAA credentials is essential. Outstanding leadership, analytical thinking, and interpersonal communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure effective administration of aid programs, regulatory compliance, and strong support for students navigating financial challenges.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by a director of financial aid, and how can they be addressed?

Directors of Financial Aid often navigate complex federal and state regulations while striving to provide equitable access to financial resources for students. One significant challenge is managing compliance with ever-changing policies while maintaining high levels of customer service for students and families. Additionally, balancing institutional budget constraints with students' financial needs requires strong analytical and communication skills. Building an effective team and collaborating with admissions, student accounts, and academic departments are essential for streamlining processes and supporting student success.

What is the difference between Director Of Financial Aid vs Financial Aid Coordinator?

AspectDirector Of Financial AidFinancial Aid Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often master's in education, finance, or related fieldAssociate's or bachelor's degree; relevant experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, overseeing staff and policiesFront-line student interaction, processing applications
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, policy development, team managementAssisting students, processing aid applications, providing info

The Director Of Financial Aid typically handles leadership, policy, and strategic planning, while the Financial Aid Coordinator focuses on direct student assistance and application processing. Both roles require knowledge of financial aid programs, but the director's role is more managerial and policy-oriented, whereas the coordinator's role is more operational and student-focused.

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Cities with the most Director Of Financial Aid job openings:

What states have the most Director Of Financial Aid jobs?

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What are popular job titles related to Director Of Financial Aid jobs?

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Infographic showing various Director Of Financial Aid job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,912 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Director of Financial Aid

Columbia, SC • On-site

Southeastern College
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

OVERVIEW:The role of the Director of Financial Aid is to ensure the appropriate and accurate processing of student financial aid packages.BUSINESS CONTRIBUTIONS:The Director of Financial Aid oversees a staff of financial aid administrators who work to ensure students are properly funded, packaged, and prepared to start each semester. The Director of Financial Aid accomplishes this through:Ensuring staff are up-to-date on current laws, regulations, and financing optionsReviewing all financial aid packages for accuracyWorking with the OOED to ensure accurate and timely posting of fundsESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Overseeing Student Financing:It is the responsibility of the Director of Financial Aid to oversee the student financing process and ensure students are packaged and prepared to begin class. To accomplish this, The Director of Financial Aid must:Oversee and manage the financial aid processEnsure all prospective students are provided with basic overview of financial aid processEnsure students are provided with all available options and packedEnsure students understand packagingEnsure all regulations and laws are followedCoordinate with other campus departmentsReviewing and Following-up on Student Packaging:The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for ensuring that all student packaging is completed accurately and submitted for processing. To accomplish this, the Director of Financial Aid must:Review scanned packages for quality and provide any feedback to Financial Aid Administrators as necessaryReconcile any complex financing issuesSubmit to Student Financial Services (OOED) for review and processingWork with Student Financial Services (OOED) to reconcile any problemsWork with Bursar to ensure posting of cash paymentsMonitoring and Tracking Financial Aid Packages:The Director of Financial Aid reviews and tracks the financial aid process at the campus level. To accomplish this, the Director of Financial Aid must:Review monthly start date reportsReview monthly account balance reportsInvestigate account balance issuesMonitor for potential defaultsFollow-up on potential and actual defaultsTrack Sally Mae, government/private scholarship, grant, and private loan postingsTrack drops and academic dismissalsRe-package continuing studentsPreparing Graduating and Exiting Students (graduating, dropped, and dismissed students):A critical element to student success is an understanding of their financial obligations once they exit Southeastern College. To accomplish this, the Director of Financial Aid must:Ensure exit interviews are conductedEnsure any outstanding balances with Southeastern College are clearedManaging Team Performance:The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for managing the performance of the Financial Aid Administrators and staff. To accomplish this, the Director of Financial Aid must:Motivate staff and reinforce positive accomplishmentsSchedule hours for staffMonitor staff activities (phone calls, appointments, student interviews...)Monitor student overview discussions/interviews and provide constructive feedbackMonitor effective use of C2K Campus View systemEnsure Financial Aid Administrators know/are up-to-date on financial offeringsInformally touch base with each Financial Aid Administrator on a daily basisProvide coaching and training programs for staff developmentConduct weekly staff meetingsPHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands are those required in a professional office setting: sitting, working on a computer, using a telephone, communicating with coworkers and getting to and from appropriate campuses.WORK ENVIRONMENT:Professional office setting: moderate noise levels and controlled indoor climate.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.LOCATION:This position is an onsite position located at your campus unless otherwise determined by the Chancellor and/or designee. Any changes must be reviewed by the Campus President/Vice President and all final approvals must come from the Chancellor and/or designee.BENEFITS401(k) 401(k) matchingDental InsuranceHealth InsuranceVision InsurancePaid time off