Director of Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, and compliance oversight of the College's financial aid programs. This position oversees all aspects of federal, state, and institutional aid administration while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies. The Director manages reporting, audits, and financial aid operations and promotes a student-centered,
responsive service environment. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director exercises authority over financial aid awarding policies, professional judgment decisions, operational procedures, and staff supervision.

Key Responsibilities:
● In collaboration with senior Enrollment Management leadership, develop and implement financial aid strategies that attract, enroll, and retain students while optimizing net tuition revenue.
● Design merit- and need-based packaging models and award policies informed by enrollment analytics and market trends.
● Collaborate with admissions, marketing, institutional research & effectiveness, athletics, and any other campus partners on targeted aid programs and yield
initiatives.
● Manage daily operations: FAFSA processing, verification, awarding and disbursement, student counseling and appeals, SAP reviews, and R2T4
compliance
● Ensure federal, state, and institutional regulatory compliance; serve as the primary Title IV compliance officer for the institution; manage audits and
required submissions (e.g. FISAP, Annual Independent SFA audits) .
● Lead financial aid budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliation processes in collaboration with the Finance Office and Student Accounts.
● Supervise, train, evaluate, and assign responsibilities to financial aid staff.
● Utilize the other Jenzabar systems (JRM and Jenzabar One) to better understand the information in Jenzabar Financial Aid, to ensure accurate
information, and to recommend adjustments.
● Oversees interfaces with Department of Education systems and other external platforms.
● Supervises the development and delivery of financial aid programming (recruitment events, orientation sessions, and financial literacy workshops).
● Prepare and align financial aid reports and benchmarking data with admissions and institutional research to inform recruitment and retention strategies.
● Maintain professional expertise through conferences, training and membership in relevant organizations (AASFAA, SWASFAA, NASFAA).
● Represent Lyon College's financial aid programs and processes both internally and externally.
● Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education Bachelor's Degree Required

Minimum Required Qualifications

● 5+ year's experience in financial aid, with at least 2 years in financial aid leadership positions such as Assistant Director, Associate Director, or Director.
● Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking skills

Preferred Qualifications
● Master's Degree
● 7+ year's experience in higher education preferred.
● Experience with Jenzabar Financial Aid or comparable higher education financial aid systems.
● Proficiency with FSA Partner Connect and other Department of Education systems and platforms.

About Lyon College

Lyon College is a selective private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the historic town of Batesville, Arkansas. Home to more than 660 students from 30 states and 18 countries, the College is renowned for its inclusive and nurturing academic community. Batesville, with a population of 11,000, was named the Best City to Live in Arkansas by USA Today. It offers a safe, vibrant environment and is a regional hub for commercial, medical, and social activities.

Why Lyon? At Lyon, we prioritize excellent teaching, inclusive environments, and the persistence and success of our students and faculty. We support innovative teaching, meaningful research, and professional development in a close-knit academic community. Our liberal arts foundation encourages students to think critically about their place in the world and explore diverse perspectives.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503-2317, or electronically at

Lyon College does not discriminate with respect to the hiring of applicants or with respect to the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. It is the continuing policy of Lyon College to comply with any federal or state law regarding equal employment opportunities. To learn more about Lyon College go to