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Director Of Student Financial Aid Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Columbia University

Director of Financial Aid

New York, NY · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

The incumbent manages and supervises all financial aid processes for awarding student grants and ... of required reports and analyses to University leadership, Dean, Associate Deans, Program Directors ...

Warren Wilson

Director of Financial Aid

Asheville, NC · On-site

The Director provides leadership and oversight of student financial aid operations, ensuring ... policies, processes, and systems are executed with rigor and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Warren Wilson

Director of Financial Aid

Asheville, NC · On-site

The Director provides leadership and oversight of student financial aid operations, ensuring ... policies, processes, and systems are executed with rigor and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Warren Wilson

Director of Financial Aid

Asheville, NC · On-site

The Director provides leadership and oversight of student financial aid operations, ensuring ... policies, processes, and systems are executed with rigor and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Tuskegee University

The Executive Director of Financial Aid Services is also responsible for providing overall ... Implement and improve student-centered service programs * Maintain an up-to-date understanding of ...

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

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of student 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Of Student Financial Aid, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Student Financial Aid, you need expertise in financial aid regulations, program administration, and higher education policies, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with federal and state financial aid systems (such as FAFSA), student information systems, and regulatory compliance tools is essential. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help in managing teams and guiding students through complex financial processes. These skills are vital to ensure regulatory compliance, equitable aid distribution, and the financial well-being of both students and the institution.

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

Directors of Student Financial Aid frequently encounter challenges such as managing compliance with evolving federal and state regulations, balancing limited funding with high student need, and ensuring timely processing of aid applications. To address these, directors must stay updated on policy changes, foster strong communication within their teams, and implement efficient systems for application review. Building strong relationships with other campus departments, such as admissions and bursar's offices, also helps streamline processes and support students more effectively.

What does a Director of Student Financial Aid do?

A Director of Student Financial Aid oversees the administration of financial aid programs and services at educational institutions. They ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, manage the allocation of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study funds, and develop policies to support student access to financial resources. This role often involves supervising financial aid staff, advising students and families, and collaborating with other departments to promote affordability and retention.
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Director Of Student Financial Aid jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Student Financial Aid job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,912 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Director of Student Financial Aid

Rhode Island College

Providence, RI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
NC00854
Position Title
Director of Student Financial Aid
Division
Student Success Division
Department Name
Enrollment Management
Position Type
Staff - Non Classified
Position Overview
The Director of Student Financial Aid is a strategic, student-centered leader responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive financial aid program that expands access and fuels student success. Overseeing all financial aid operations, the Director ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while driving data-informed decision-making, fiscal integrity, and exceptional service.
As the College's primary expert on financial aid policy and strategy, the Director partners across campus to align aid programs with enrollment and retention goals, while championing equitable outcomes for diverse and first-generation student populations. Leading a dedicated team, this role blends vision, innovation, and operational excellence to enhance the student experience and support the mission of Rhode Island College.1
Primary Purpose
The Director of Student Financial Aid is responsible for administering a complex and multifaceted financial aid program consisting of scholarships, grants, loans, emergency funds, and student employment opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Oversees all aspects of the financial aid operations; ensures overall compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; and manages overall data collection and dissemination for reports, surveys, and audits. Ensures the financial aid staff and operation delivers high-quality, responsive, customer-service to internal and external audiences.
The director provides leadership for the development, review, evaluation, coordination and implementation of all policies related to student financial aid services/programs. The Director serves as the college's primary source of expertise on financial aid regulations, policies and packaging of awards and coordinates financial aid activities with the functions, policies and procedures of other administrative offices, academic departments, committees, and off-campus constituencies. The director must have a comprehensive understanding of the needs of first-generation students, underrepresented students, and the necessary diversity, equity and inclusion competencies to serve the Rhode Island College community.
The Director is responsible for creating and producing statistical reports using the college's student information system. The director leads an office staff of professionals who work to provide a high-level of customer service, and works with the Enrollment Management Team and the Student Success Division to enhance enrollment, retention and success of Rhode Island College students.
Essential Duties
  • Manages coordination and delivery of all federal, state, institutional and private student aid funds. Overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Serves as the primary Compliance Officer in the financial aid office for Title IV federal aid regulations and state aid regulations. Coordinates completion of the FISAP and HEERF reports with other offices and submits the reports. Assists with Consumer Information reporting and oversees staff completion of financial aid sections of Common Data Set reporting and IPEDS reporting. Serves as the financial aid liaison with the single audit.
  • Manages the overall College financial aid budget. Creates/updates packaging formulas, algorithms, and reports to appropriately leverage available financial aid in congruence with established College objectives. Ensures fiscal accountability in fund management, authorizations, disbursements, and recovery by coordinating technology and information systems for effective administration of student financial aid funds.
  • Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates financial aid policies and procedures to meet students' needs while supporting College enrollment goals. Administers and facilitates the awarding of new and continuing students financial aid packages which may include Federal Pell and SEOG Programs, RI State Aid and Tuition Waiver Programs, College Programs, and/or Federal Work Study.
  • Coordinates financial aid file review, verification, and awarding. Ensures timely communication with students via letters, email, web, telephone calls, etc. regarding financial aid processes. Works closely with enrollment management colleagues to administer initiatives that improve financial aid outreach and responsiveness.
  • Oversees the verification of specific federal and/or state criteria, authorization of payment process, and reconciliations with accounting office(s) and R2T4 in compliance with federal and state regulations and College policies. Manages the reconciliation of appropriate information with internal (e.g., Student Accounts and Business Office) and external (federal and state government) constituents, and ensures completion of appropriate reports (e.g., FISAP) and surveys (e.g., College Board) by established deadlines. Provides scheduled reconciliations of financial aid transactions and award balances to Bursar and general ledger balances to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of fiscal records. This includes, but is not limited to, researching, troubleshooting, processing, and collaboratively resolving variances as needed.
  • Manages the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Process including policy review and updates, appeal reviews, and working with appropriate College offices to create academic plans for students.
  • Liaises with Admissions, Business Office/Accounting, Registrar, Residence Life, Bursar, and other offices to ensure that transactional activities are complementary and smoothly integrated. Collaborates with other College departments to ensure compliance with federal regulations not directly managed through the financial aid department.
  • Provides leadership and strategic direction to staff including supervision, training, and professional development for all professional, clerical and student staff in the Financial Aid Office.
  • Manages the Financial Aid office budget and oversees the processing of purchase requisitions, encumbrances, and travel reimbursements as they relate to the Financial Aid Office.
  • Coordinates the College scholarship process for current students and liaises with the Dean of Enrollment Management, Director of Admissions Outreach & Recruitment, and the appropriate colleagues in Alumni Relations, and the College Foundation on scholarships for new and current students.
  • Manages EdConnect, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and related Department of Education interfaces.
  • Develops and coordinates programming related to financial aid and financing options, which includes (but not limited to) admissions recruitment events, new student orientation sessions, and financial literacy workshops. When appropriate, conducts financial aid information sessions (small and large group formats) and meets with students to communicate financial aid application procedures to students, parents, high school counselors, and community college advisors.
  • Coordinates the creation/evaluation of the publications, programs, and overall strategies of the Financial Aid Office. Manages and leverages technology (e.g., financial aid website pages, vendor relationships) to advance strategic financial aid objectives.
  • Prepares statistical data/reports appropriate to the Financial Aid Office. Creates financial aid reports that align with admissions reports; compiles and analyzes socioeconomic, geographic, demographic data, and peer institution data; and creates benchmarking data on financial aid that informs/guides recruitment strategies and strategies for improving student completion.
  • Actively contributes to deliver a working environment that promotes optimism, collaboration, respect, solutions conscious dialogue, and exceptional service to everyone. Responsible for coordinating conscientious onboarding of new employees. Uses tact and diplomacy to gain consensus with issues that cross office boundaries.
  • Strives to maintain and augment knowledge and skills in the financial aid field through advanced study, professional activities or participation in conferences, seminars, workshops and similar professional gatherings.
  • Ensures that affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity are integrally part of all actions and decisions within the scope of duties.
  • Provides financial aid services to students, parents and others; models excellent customer service while counseling constituents on financial aid needs and concerns. Maintains and is responsible for specific financial aid programs and student cases.
  • Conducts annual reports and assessments as needed to promote the on-going enhancement of financial aid services.
  • Develops, maintains, and modifies manuals of policies and procedures to achieve enrollment goals, enhance effectiveness, and efficiency and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
  • Oversee and manage the processing of financial aid applications using best practices; determines student eligibility, performs financial need analysis, packages financial aid awards for eligible students, and hears appeals.
  • Provides leadership to the continued development of data processing systems to enhance efficient and effective delivery of services and management of programs.
  • Serves as the primary source of campus expertise on financial aid regulations, policies and packaging of awards.
  • Participates in cross-functional working groups and campus committees and contributes to the enrollment management team as well as the Student Success Division.

Occasional Duties
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of Enrollment Management.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
  • Experience with Peoplesoft is desirable.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with designing, implementing and/or refining systems for administering student financial aid programs.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid policies, federal need-analysis theory and computation.
  • Demonstrated analytical, communication and managerial skills.
  • Ability to provide strong leadership to staff and to implement and manage financial aid policies and procedures with a focus on customer service.
  • Ability to represent the college positively and effectively with prospective and current students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, outside agencies and the public
  • Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population including first-generation and low-income students.
  • Demonstrated intercultural competency, including experience using data to inform equitable and inclusive practices and policies.
  • Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and technical skills

Required Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree.
Experience:
  • A minimum of four years of full-time experience in the administration of student financial aid services at the college or university level.
  • Financial Aid experience must be progressively more responsible in nature and include some supervisory elements.

Preferred Qualifications
Full-time experience at or above the Associate Director level.
Does this position have Direct Reports?
Yes
Environmental Conditions
The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.
Position Details
FLSA
Exempt
Salary Grade
16NC
Full Time / Part Time
Full-time
Proposed Starting Salary Range
$100,000-$120,000
Work Schedule
Full-Time
35Hours per week
Monday through Friday
Benefits
Full-time employees enjoy an array of benefits including:
  • Health and Wellness - Medical, Dental & Vision
  • Wellness Incentives and Rewards
  • Paid time Off - Vacation, Sick & Holiday
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Disability and Insurance Benefits
  • Education Benefits - Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI

For a complete listing, visit Employee Benefits.
Reports To (Title)
Dean of Enrollment Management
Academic or Calendar Year
Calendar
Position Status
Continuing
End of Temporary or Limited Position
Collective Bargaining Unit
PSA
Posting Information
Number of Positions Available
1
Application Open Date
07/22/2026
Application Close Date
Special Instructions
Please be advised that the college is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintain a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism and respectful engagement for all community members.

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