Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

The University of Florida is looking for an Assistant Director to provide leadership and operational oversight for complex federal processing, compliance-driven programs, and student employment functions within the Office for Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA). In this role, you will oversee regulatory compliance, manage staff and systems, and ensure accurate awarding and administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs that support student access.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Federal Processing, Compliance, Awarding Oversight

• Oversee key financial aid compliance and processing functions, including Satisfactory Academic Progress reviews (SAP), application verification, special circumstance evaluations, cost‑of‑attendance determinations, federal return processes (RTIV), and student employment.
• Administer aid for UF/Santa Fe College Joint Programs and other special programs.
• Analyze complex applications, appeals, and petitions using federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Ensure compliance across more than 150 federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Utilize and interpret data from agencies and systems including IRS, VA, DHS, SSA, USCIS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, and ProEducation Solutions.

Leadership & Operational Management

• Provide management and strategic direction for assigned functional areas: Federal Processing, Special Programs, and Student Employment.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time staff assigned to the areas.
• Oversee systems, workflows, and business operations related to awarding, eligibility, enrollment, and repayment.
• Interpret policy and make complex decisions related to manual awarding and regulatory exceptions.
• Share administrative responsibility for all financial aid programs with the Associate Director and act in their absence, as needed.

Campus Collaboration

• Serve as a subject-matter expert for UF OneStop, International Center, Contract & Grants, satellite offices, and academic program partners.
• Provide guidance on SAP, application verification, RTIV, Federal Work-Study, and special program requirements.
• Collaborate across campus to resolve complex student aid and compliance issues.

Other Duties

• Travel in support of Enrollment Management recruitment and yield initiatives.
• Deliver financial aid presentations to prospective students and families.
• Participate in professional development workshops and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.