Finance Aid Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.