Associate Director of Financial Aid

Associate Director of Financial Aid

About the Organization

We are a private post-secondary educational institution dedicated to preparing students for careers in high-demand fields. Our organization is committed to student success, professional excellence, and continuous improvement. We foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture that values integrity, accountability, innovation, and service.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Financial Aid is responsible for overseeing the administration of federal, state, institutional, and other financial assistance programs while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and policies. This position provides leadership to the financial aid team, supports student funding initiatives, and helps maintain operational excellence through effective processes, reporting, and compliance oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of financial aid programs and services.
• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of financial aid professionals.
• Advise students and families regarding financial aid options, application processes, eligibility requirements, and funding opportunities.
• Review and evaluate financial aid applications, supporting documentation, appeals, and special circumstances.
• Monitor student eligibility and satisfactory academic progress in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Manage the accurate awarding and disbursement of financial aid funds.
• Partner with student finance, accounting, and registrar functions to support compliance and effective cash management practices.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, accreditor, and institutional regulations governing financial aid.
• Maintain accurate records, reporting, and documentation.
• Conduct internal audits and reviews to identify and mitigate compliance risks.
• Develop and implement best practices that support operational effectiveness and student service excellence.
• Stay current on changes to financial aid regulations and industry trends.
• Support departmental initiatives, strategic projects, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience supervising and developing staff.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Proficiency with student information systems, financial aid software, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Desired Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Compliance management
• Student-centered service
• Attention to detail
• Strategic thinking
• Process improvement
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Data analysis and reporting
• Change management

Work Environment

This position requires the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders in a fast-paced educational environment.