Director of Financial Aid

 PURPOSE 

The Director of Financial Aid will cultivate collaboration, knowledge-sharing and compliant best practices within the Financial Aid office and the University. This leader plays a critical role in supporting student access, overseeing a dedicated team, and is responsible for the overall administration of complex and evolving financial aid regulations at the institutional, state and federal levels. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of Title IV programs, a strategic mindset, and a passion for serving students in a diverse environment. The Director will need to be adept at cross-departmental collaboration, student advocacy and outstanding customer service. The Director supports the Senior Director in a vital role supporting the University’s mission, enhancing student experience, ensuring effective implementation of compliant aid policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1.  Manage operations, allocate and monitor operating budgets and provide direction to staff members in the Department of Financial Aid.
2. Manage all financial aid program awarding, disbursement, and reporting and ensure compliance with institutional policies and state/federal regulations. Establish best practices to ensure regulatory compliance.
3. Address all concerns and issues from students, parents, and administrators pertaining to the core functions of financial aid in a diplomatic and thoughtful manner.
4. Develop and recommend policies for financial aid programs that support the mission and goals of the University which ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
5. Maintain a high-performance environment through the leadership, hiring, supervision, training, and development of the financial aid staff.
6. Assist to develop and implement policies and strategies for awarding financial aid that best maximize the yield of new students and the retention of current students.
7. Provide oversight and management over all audit functions, both internal and external, related to financial aid. Ensure that appropriate action plans are developed and implemented to address any audit findings and recommendations, and ensure compliance with all federal, state and university regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures.
8. Assist with the management, creation, and submission of all reports including but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), Cost of Attendance (COA), and the Program Participation Agreement (PPA).
9. Foster a collaborative and positive environment that promotes access and openness among team members and responsiveness to internal and external constituents.
10. Leverage the available technology to create efficiencies, improve communication, and ensure data integrity in the financial aid functional areas. Develop and execute communication plans with current and prospective students.
11. Develop, execute, and represent financial aid education presentations on-campus.
12. Serve on University committees and task groups; serve as the chair of SAP Appeal Committee.
13. Maintains working knowledge of databases to include Ellucian Colleague, Perceptive Content, Georgia Student Finance systems, Central Processing System (CPS), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
14. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending professional development conferences, educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, researching new or proposed legislation.
15. Ensures departmental staff has clear direction and information needed to perform their duties, tracks project flow and assists with challenges and problems as needed. Maintains advocacy for department needs and resources.
16. Use of social media and other communication campaigns to increase student engagement.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Other duties as assigned.
2. Participates in University activities and committees that support the mission and initiatives of the University.
3. Assumes additional responsibilities and performs special projects as needed or directed.
4. Handles confidential information with discretion and independent judgment.
5. Exhibits student centeredness in performance of all job duties.
6. Treats all others with respect; understands the impact of culture/background on the behavior of others; respects differences among the Life community and demonstrates inclusive behavior.
7. Anticipates, listens to, understands, and responds to customer needs. Delivers work products and services to customers in a way that reflects positively upon the department and the University

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and/or Experience

1.  Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
2. Minimum five (5) years of supervisory experience overseeing financial aid staff within a financial aid office.
3. Ability to communicate effectively with Senior Leadership and a diverse student population.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, etc.) and data management.
5. Must be, and remain, in good standing with personal Title IV loans.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and/or Experience

1. Minimum three (3) years as a Director of Financial Aid.
2. Experience working in Ellucian Colleague.
3. Certified Financial Aid Administrator program credentials from NASFAA
4. Experience of effective leadership and management skills within a financial aid office.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1.  Ability to manage multiple and ever-changing priorities under established time constraints and in a professional manner.
2. Motivated, organized, detailed oriented, strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to assist as needed in functions that support the mission and initiative of the University.
3. Knowledge of federal and state student financial aid regulations.
4. Experience with academic policies and their relationship to federal requirements.
5. Demonstrated commitment to student success and quality customer service delivery working within a diverse environment and interacting with students, faculty, staff, and visitors from different backgrounds daily.
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members, campus departments, outside agencies, and students/families.
7. Team building and supervisory skills; organizational and staff development skills.
8. High degree of initiative and independent judgment with the ability to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.
9. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving abilities and general accounting skills.
10. Experience in managing and administering financial aid programs in a higher education environment.
11. Demonstrate integrity and professionalism in appearance and demeanor; ability to share and impart knowledge and reasoning to others.
12. Excellent oral and written communication skills with a high comfort level with speaking before large groups is required, and an ability to effectively engage audiences through dynamic oral presentations is essential.

Location: On-Campus at Life University – 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta, GA 30060

About Us

Since 1974, Life University has been a trailblazer in postsecondary education, seeking individuals eager to join our team dedicated to shaping the future of health and wellness education. Situated in Marietta, Georgia, our university’s campus provides a nurturing, yet dynamic environment for academic and personal growth. We are a specialized institution focused on vitalistic education in the fields of healthcare, business administration, and the social sciences, providing a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees alongside our flagship Doctor of Chiropractic program. As we continue our mission to empower students and pioneer innovative approaches to vitalistic education, we are actively seeking passionate professionals to join us in our commitment to excellence.

Service Lasting Purpose

At Life University, our mission extends beyond education—we strive to embody a Lasting Purpose: To Give, To Do, To Love, To Serve—out of your own abundance. Life University’s guiding principle is to live an inner-directed life, recognizing that the willingness and desire to serve your community and your fellow human beings are just as important as academic pursuits. This philosophy drives our commitment to our students, staff, and the broader community, inspiring us to make meaningful contributions to the world through the transformative power of education and service. We believe that everyone has unique gifts, and as a member of the global community, it is our duty to share those gifts generously, living by the principle of giving, doing, loving, and serving out of abundance.