PURPOSE

The Director of Financial Aid provides operational and hands-on leadership for the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Reporting to the Executive Director of Student Administration & Compliance, the Director ensures regulatory compliance, accurate and timely financial aid processing, sound internal controls, effective team performance, and student-centered service.

The Director leads and develops Financial Aid staff while maintaining the functional expertise to resolve complex student and processing issues and directly support critical operations as needed. The position balances day-to-day department management with regulatory implementation, audit readiness, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Director works closely with the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Systems and Information Technology on financial aid technology and maintains sufficient system knowledge to guide operational priorities and validate compliant results; technical configuration remains with designated systems and IT personnel.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Direct daily Financial Aid operations; establish priorities, distribute workloads, monitor service and processing timelines, oversee the departmental operating budget, and ensure continuity during peak periods and staffing changes.
2. Oversee and, when necessary, directly support complex eligibility determinations, awarding, verification, disbursement, reconciliation, return of Title IV funds, and federal, state, and institutional aid processing.
3. Interpret and implement applicable federal and state financial aid requirements and University policies; maintain current procedures, controls, documentation, and staff training, including new regulatory changes.
4. Lead, supervise, hire, evaluate, coach, and develop Financial Aid staff; set clear performance expectations, support cross-training, and address operational and performance concerns.
5. Monitor the accuracy and timely reconciliation of financial aid funds and records; partner with Student Accounts, Finance, the Registrar, and other offices to resolve discrepancies and safeguard financial integrity.
6. Lead financial aid audit readiness, compliance monitoring, program-review support, and responses to internal and external auditors; develop, document, and track corrective actions and measures to prevent repeat findings.
7. Oversee required financial aid reporting, including FISAP and other federal and state submissions, and support institutional eligibility and participation documentation, including cost-of-attendance policies and the Program Participation Agreement, as applicable.
8. Collaborate with Enrollment Management and University leadership on aid strategies that support access, recruitment, affordability, and retention; administer institutional awards only under approved policies and authorization procedures.
9. 9. Oversee and actively participate in the effective use and improvement of Ellucian Colleague, Self-Service, document management, and related platforms. Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Systems and IT on configuration planning, testing, troubleshooting, regulatory updates, and workflow improvements; validate functional outcomes and processing accuracy.
10. Maintain working functional knowledge of financial aid systems and workflows sufficient to navigate records, identify discrepancies, assess system impacts, and help resolve complex operational issues without serving as the primary technical system administrator.
11. Oversee satisfactory academic progress administration and appeals processes, including committee leadership or participation as assigned; ensure consistent decisions, documentation, and communication.
12. Resolve escalated student, family, and campus-partner concerns professionally and accurately; promote responsive, equitable, student-centered service and effective communication.
13. Develop and coordinate student-facing communications, financial aid education, financial literacy outreach, and digital engagement initiatives with appropriate University partners.
14. Use operational data and reporting to monitor compliance, processing effectiveness, service levels, and emerging risks; recommend and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
15. Represent Financial Aid on University committees and cross-functional initiatives; communicate significant compliance issues, resource needs, operational risks, and recommendations to the Executive Director.
16. Maintain professional knowledge through regulatory guidance, training, professional associations, and continuing education; translate relevant changes into actionable departmental practices.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, consistent with the position and University needs.
2. Participate in University activities and committees that support institutional priorities.
3. Exercise discretion and independent judgment in handling confidential student, employee, and institutional information.
4. Demonstrate respect, professionalism, inclusive conduct, collaboration, and commitment to student success in all interactions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education financial aid administration, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
3. Demonstrated hands-on experience with financial aid eligibility, awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, reporting, and federal Title IV compliance.
4. Strong working knowledge of federal student aid requirements and experience administering state and institutional aid programs.
5. Experience using a financial aid management/student information system, including interpreting processing workflows and resolving operational issues.
6. Demonstrated ability to lead and develop staff, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with senior leadership and campus partners.
7. Strong analytical, written and verbal communication, problem-solving, data management, and Microsoft Office skills.
8. Ability to meet applicable federal student aid eligibility and responsibility requirements for individuals performing Title IV administrative functions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Prior experience as a Director, Associate Director, Assistant Director, or comparable senior financial aid administrator.
3. Experience with Ellucian Colleague, Self-Service, and Perceptive Content.
4. Experience administering Georgia state financial aid programs and working with Georgia Student Finance systems.
5. NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC®) designation.
6. Experience with financial aid audits, regulatory implementation, internal controls, systems testing, reporting, and process automation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. Ability to balance direct operational involvement with departmental leadership and delegation.
2. Sound judgment, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage changing priorities and deadlines.
3. Knowledge of the relationship between academic policies and financial aid, eligibility and compliance.
4. Ability to analyze data, identify risks and processing errors, document procedures, and recommend practical solutions.
5. Strong interpersonal, supervisory, coaching, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
6. Commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, inclusive service, and positive student experience.
7. Familiarity with applicable federal student aid platforms, including FAFSA Processing System (FPS), FAFSA Partner Portal, FSA Partner Connect, COD, and NSLDS.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires regular computer and office-equipment use, communication, and periods of sitting or standing. Occasional movement of materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in a general office environment with frequent interaction with students, staff, and campus partners. Occasional travel and evening or weekend work may be required.

This job description summarizes the position’s principal responsibilities and qualifications and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may change in accordance with university needs and applicable policies and law.