Director of Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid

University of South Carolina Upstate
STA00812PO25
Spartanburg, SC

The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for one of the Enrollment Services departments, providing leadership, vision, and direction. Directs administration of all Title 4 federal student aid programs, state aid programs, federal and private work‑study programs, and institutional scholarships, both academic and athletic. Conducts statistical analyses, generates reports and coordinates annual financial aid audits for internal, federal, and state agencies. The Director of Financial Aid creates, implements, and evaluates all processes with problem‑solving skills and has complete decision‑making authority with minimal supervision in a very complex setting. The Director is also responsible for budget management and the development of policies and procedures which enhance the recruitment and retention of students through effective, visible, automated, and timely delivery of financial aid services.

• Responsible for the administration of the Office of Financial Aid, including an annual dollar volume of over sixty million dollars in federal, state, institutional and external student and parent aid programs. Oversees the coordination of the athletic and academic scholarship programs.
• Serves as the primary liaison and resource person to outside constituencies concerning various tuition assistance programs and liaises between the office of financial aid and the SC Commission on Higher Education, SC Budget and Control Board, The College Board, lenders and guaranty agencies and related USC Upstate departments.
• Develops and implements office goals and objectives that support the mission of the University; assures compliance with federal state, NCAA, and institutional policies, by‑laws and regulations.
• Establishes standards and determines a detailed awarding philosophy for financial aid packages to all appropriate recipients, evaluates delivery of all financial aid programs and confirms that required information is represented on a comprehensive computer data management system.
• Reviews various financial aid software, file layouts and technical issues related to the timely delivery of financial aid; assists with need analysis, awards and award adjustments; counsels students and parents and acknowledges miscellaneous correspondence to keep them informed of financial aid.
• Directly supervises nine full‑time employees, provides guidance in the areas of office personnel goals, and assists in hiring/training of employees; provides a positive office environment for staff to serve student needs.
• Completes and submits the annual USC Upstate Fiscal Operations Report to the U.S. Department of Education and maintains the Financial Aid Office operating budget; directly responsible for numerous reconciliation and data reports to appropriate external agencies and for ensuring compliance in all areas of financial aid disbursements.
• Supervises the academic scholarship process; coordinates the application phase and awarding procedures to provide funding for top academic students.
• Assists the NCAA Athletic Director and the NCAA Compliance Officer with the regulatory and compliance standards for athletes under NCAA, Title IV, and USC Upstate guidelines to ensure student athletes are in compliance for D1 athletics.
• Supervises community outreach efforts and implements objectives that enhance the communication between all University offices involved in the delivery of institutional and non‑institutional funds to students. Conducts approximately 5‑7 financial aid workshops each year with area high schools.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job‑related field and at least 8 years of job‑related experience, including some prior management experience. Valid driver license and a good driving record and successful background check are required.

Salary: $65,539 – $87,310; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

For more information and/or to apply, visit

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.