Director of Financial Aid

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION: Director of Financial Aid

SUPERVISOR: President

DEPARTMENT: Finance 

SALARY: $65-70,000 based on level of experience

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is seeking a full-time, experienced, and student-centered Director of Financial Aid to join our team. The Director provides leadership and oversight for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, ensuring accurate and timely service to students and compliance with Title IV and other applicable requirements.

The position includes a six-month probationary period, after which a formal review will be conducted to assess performance and support continued success in the role.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic and operational leadership for the Art Academy of Cincinnati’s federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The Director oversees student eligibility, financial aid awarding, verification, professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, Return of Title IV Funds, disbursement, reporting, and reconciliation to ensure the accurate and compliant administration of student financial aid.

Working collaboratively with students, families, the Finance Team, Admissions, the Registrar, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs, the Director provides clear financial aid guidance, manages required federal and state reporting, prepares for audits and program reviews, and develops policies and procedures that support regulatory compliance and effective service to students. The position supervises the Financial Aid Counselor and plays a key role in advancing student access, enrollment, and retention.

This position is full-time and exempt, with hours commonly scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required during peak processing periods, enrollment events, reporting deadlines, audits, and other periods of increased institutional activity.

Essential Duties:

1. Ensure that the Art Academy is in compliance with federal regulations governing the awarding of Title IV grants, student loans, and work-study.

1. Evaluate FAFSAs to determine federal and state financial aid eligibility.

1. Provide students with award packages detailing their aid options.

1. Monitor changes to FAFSAs that may affect aid eligibility and revise award packages as necessary.

1. Complete the verification process for selected FAFSAs.

1. Make professional judgment decisions in special circumstances.

1. Counsel students and parents about available financial aid options.

1. Counsel students about their obligations as borrowers and implement default-prevention initiatives.

1. Administer federal grants, including Pell Grants and FSEOG, including eligibility, reporting, and reconciliation.

1. Administer state grants, including OCOG, including eligibility, reporting, and reconciliation.

1. Manage the Federal Direct Loan Program, including originating, disbursing, and reconciling loan data with Common Origination and Disbursement and the Art Academy Business Office.

1. Provide presentations and workshops for students and parents about current financial aid information and options.

1. Review and update financial aid website information.

1. Complete IPEDS and FISAP reports.

1. Compile materials for annual federal and state audits.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial aid information clearly.
• Sound judgment and a commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, ethical practice, and regulatory compliance.
• A student-centered approach and commitment to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, meet firm deadlines, and respond effectively to changing regulations and institutional needs.
• A collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with students, families, auditors, consultants, and external partners.

Reporting Structure

This full-time, salaried position reports to the President and supervises the Financial Aid Counselor. The Director collaborates closely with the Finance Team, Executive Director of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean; Executive Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success; Registrar; Admissions; and Student Affairs to support regulatory compliance, student access, enrollment, and retention.

Minimum Qualifications: