Assistant Director, University Financial Aid

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Director for Student Financial Assistance plays a critical leadership role in advancing student success through the effective administration of financial aid programs and services. This position serves as the lead for compliance and training, overseeing federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and institutional policies. The Assistant Director supervises professional staff, develops and delivers comprehensive training, and collaborates with campus and external stakeholders to support accurate aid administration, audits, and program reviews. As a member of the management team, the Assistant Director provides strategic counsel to the Director, contributes to policy development and institutional initiatives, and implements internal controls and quality assurance measures that safeguard program integrity and support student enrollment, persistence, and degree completion.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

• Supervises full-time staff responsible for administering a comprehensive training program for the Office of Student Financial Assistance, including Study Abroad and Transient student aid processing.

• Participates as a member of the management team, contributing to strategic decision-making and operational planning.

• Supports the Director by providing counsel on compliance matters and contributing to strategic planning initiatives.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:

• Oversees compliance activities for federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.

• Reviews, interprets, and implements regulatory changes to ensure policies and procedures remain current and compliant.

• Serves as a liaison with external agencies during audits, program reviews, and compliance evaluations.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborates with campus stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting, documentation, and communication of financial aid regulations.

• Assists in the resolution of escalated issues and ensures appropriate corrective actions are implemented.

• Serves on institutional committees as a representative of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, contributing to policy development and cross-departmental initiatives.

Internal Controls & Quality Assurance:

• Works with internal stakeholders to develop and maintain internal controls, audits, and quality assurance measures to safeguard program integrity.

• Ensures compliance practices align with institutional standards and regulatory expectations.

Training & Professional Development:

• Provides training and guidance to staff on compliance requirements, policies, procedures, and best practices.