Director of Financial Aid

Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title

Director of Financial Aid

Campus Title

Director of Financial Aid

School/Division

Finance and Management, Division of

Department

Financial Aid Office

Staff Sub-Type

Staff & Administration

Salary Level

SL5

Salary Range

$110,000 + depending on experience (DOE)

Salary Determination

Starting salary rates are based on multiples factors which may include the position’s major responsibilities, the applicant’s background including education, work experience, and key competencies, the university’s strategic priorities, internal peer equity and external market analyses, applicable federal, state, and local laws and negotiated labor contracts.

Position Effort

Full-Time

Is this a temporary position?

No

Position Summary

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management and provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all financial aid operations. The Director ensures compliance with federal, New York State, and institutional regulations while advancing equitable access to higher education. Serving as the university’s Chief Title IV Financial Aid Administrator, the Director is responsible for the effective administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. This position leads a team of financial aid professionals, oversees operational processes, develops and implements policies and procedures, and collaborates with colleagues across the University to deliver exceptional service to students and their families. The Director supports university enrollment and student success goals through effective financial aid strategy, administration, and stewardship.

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.

• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.

• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.

• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.

• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings.

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Financial Aid Office.
• Serve as the institution’s Chief Title IV Financial Aid Administrator.
• Hire, onboard, and train staff. Provide clear instructions, regular feedback, and coaching. Communicate performance expectations and goals, complete performance programs and evaluations in a timely manner. Nurture the development of staff by identifying opportunities for training and career development.
• Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust assignments as needed. Plan, organize and monitor the progress of work and goal completion.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented culture focused on student success.
• Articulate a vision that unites team members/staff and defined departmental objectives and goals to establish a common purpose. Assess performance metrics, and implement continuous process improvements.
• Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.
• Act as a liaison between staff and senior management, relaying information in both directions. Facilitate open communication and collaboration within the office. Address and help resolve staff issues and workplace concerns.
• Support staff participation in professional development, training, conferences, and professional associations to maintain current knowledge of financial aid regulations, best practices, and emerging trends.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with all federal Title IV regulations, New York State financial aid programs, system, and institutional policies.
• Interpret, communicate, and implement changes to federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly update the Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard financial aid resources and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate audit activities and respond to federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements.

Financial Aid Operations

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing, verification, awarding, and disbursement of financial aid.
• Monitor student eligibility requirements, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and ensure timely communication regarding eligibility changes.
• Prepare and submit all required federal, state, and institutional reports and applications.
• Manage the department’s annual operating budget and monitor expenditures.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Partner with Information Technology and system administration to optimize Ellucian Banner financial aid processes.
• Lead testing, implementation, and enhancement of Banner functionality and related technologies.
• Develop and utilize data reporting tools to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for automation and continuous improvement to enhance student service and operational effectiveness.

Campus Collaboration

• Serve as a collaborative partner with campus stakeholders to provide an integrated, student-centered financial aid experience.
• Provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding financial aid regulations, policies, and their impact on student eligibility.
• Represent SUNY Cortland with federal, state, and professional organizations as appropriate.
• Participate in outreach, recruitment, financial aid awareness, and student engagement activities as appropriate.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management
• Supervises the professional financial aid staff
• Collaborates with university stakeholders, as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, including at least two years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in Title IV federal financial aid regulations and New York State financial aid programs, including TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship.
• Experience administering financial aid using Ellucian Banner or comparable student information system.
• Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets and financial resources.
• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and student-centered environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working within the SUNY system or another public higher education institution.
• Experience with New York State Higher Education Services Corporation ( HESC ) systems and reporting.
• Certified Financial Aid Administrator ( CFAA ) credential or equivalent professional certification.
• Demonstrated experience leading technology implementations, business process improvements, or organizational change initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal Title IV and New York State financial aid regulations, programs, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of financial aid administration practices, student information systems, and related technologies, preferably Ellucian Banner.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and policies.
• Ability to utilize data and reporting tools to support decision-making and operational effectiveness.
• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional and support staff
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership that advances compliance, enrollment objectives, and student success.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNYCortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY Cortland is an AA/ EEO / ADA employer and encourages applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S26025

Open Until Filled

Yes

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. Are you in default on a federal student loan?
   • No
   • Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Copy of Transcript (Highest/Current Degree)
4. Letters of Recommendation (Self-Submitted by Applicant)