Director of Financial Aid

Founded in 1873, Bennett College is a private, historically Black liberal arts college for women located in Greensboro, North Carolina. As one of only two historically Black colleges for women in the United States, Bennett College has a proud legacy of empowering women through academic excellence, leadership development, civic engagement, and social justice.

Bennett provides a personalized educational experience grounded in innovation, purpose, and service. The College fosters an inclusive and student-centered environment where scholars are challenged to think critically, lead courageously, and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Bennett College seeks professionals who are passionate about student success, committed to excellence, and dedicated to advancing the mission of educating and developing women of distinction.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic leadership, administration, and oversight of all federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs in support of Bennett College's enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives. Reporting to senior leadership, the Director serves as the chief financial aid administrator for the College and is responsible for ensuring the integrity, compliance, and effective delivery of all financial aid operations.

The Director leads the daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid, supervises departmental staff, develops policies and procedures, ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, and serves as the College's primary authority on financial aid administration. This position partners closely with Enrollment Management, Admissions, Student Accounts, Business & Finance, Academic Affairs, Institutional Effectiveness, and Information Technology to support institutional goals and enhance the student experience.

The Director provides strategic guidance regarding financial aid policies, financial literacy initiatives, and scholarship administration while utilizing data and best practices to improve operational effectiveness and student access.

This is a full-time, on-site leadership position requiring regular campus presence to effectively serve students, families, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend hours may be required to support enrollment activities, student programs, registration, orientation, commencement, and other institutional needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Strategic Leadership – Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Office of Financial Aid in alignment with the College's mission, enrollment goals, and strategic priorities.
• Strategic Leadership – Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate departmental policies, procedures, and operational efficiencies.
• Strategic Leadership – Serve as the College's primary financial aid expert and advisor to senior leadership on regulatory changes, compliance requirements, and emerging trends.
• Strategic Leadership – Collaborate with senior leadership to develop enrollment strategies that maximize student access, affordability, persistence, and graduation.
• Strategic Leadership – Direct the administration of all federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.
• Strategic Leadership – Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable federal, state, NCAA (if applicable), accrediting agency, and institutional regulations governing student financial assistance.
• Strategic Leadership – Maintain responsibility for Title IV program administration and institutional participation requirements.
• Strategic Leadership – Oversee verification, professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), Return of Title IV (R2T4), over-awards, appeals, and special circumstances.
• Strategic Leadership – Ensure timely and accurate awarding, packaging, processing, reconciliation, and disbursement of financial aid.
• Strategic Leadership – Develop and maintain comprehensive internal controls that ensure program integrity and minimize institutional risk.
• Strategic Leadership – Coordinate preparation for federal, state, and external audits, program reviews, and compliance examinations.

Leadership & Supervision:

• Lead, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate Financial Aid staff while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities.
• Coordinate staff training to ensure compliance with evolving financial aid regulations and industry best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement through cross-training and operational efficiencies.
• Partner closely with Admissions and Enrollment Management to support recruitment, yield, retention, and persistence initiatives.
• Provide financial aid counseling to prospective and current students and families regarding eligibility, financing options, and financial literacy.
• Participate in recruitment events, orientations, open houses, financial aid workshops, admitted student programs, and other enrollment-related initiatives.
• Develop financial aid communication strategies that enhance transparency and improve the student experience.

Fiscal Management & Reporting

• Manage institutional financial aid budgets, scholarship allocations, and aid expenditures.
• Monitor utilization of financial aid funds and recommend awarding strategies that align with institutional enrollment objectives.
• Prepare financial aid reports, compliance documentation, enrollment projections, and data analyses for senior leadership and external agencies.
• Collaborate with Business & Finance to reconcile financial aid accounts and ensure fiscal accountability.

Technology & Operations

• Oversee financial aid systems, software, electronic data exchanges, and automation processes.
• Collaborate with Information Technology and system vendors to improve operational efficiency and reporting capabilities.
• Ensure data integrity through regular monitoring, auditing, reconciliation, and quality assurance processes.
• Maintain the Financial Aid website and electronic communications to ensure timely, accurate information for students and families.
• Serve on institutional committees and represent the College at professional associations, conferences, and regulatory meetings.
• Build collaborative partnerships across campus to improve student service delivery.
• Support institutional initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, student success, and organizational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations, state financial aid programs, and institutional aid administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of higher education financial aid compliance, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and team development skills.
• Ability to interpret complex federal regulations and translate them into institutional policies and procedures.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, reconciliation, and reporting skills.
• Experience utilizing financial aid management systems and student information systems.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data to support strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service and student-centered practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to establish productive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, government agencies, and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative campus community.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience within a financial aid office.
• Demonstrated experience administering Title IV federal financial aid programs.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with financial aid information systems and student information systems.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience serving in a leadership role within Enrollment Management.
• Experience at a private institution and/or Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
• Experience leading financial aid audits, program reviews, accreditation support, or compliance initiatives.
• Experience with financial aid leveraging strategies and enrollment planning.