Assistant Director of Financial Aid

About the role

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides comprehensive financial aid counseling and support to students and families, administers federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, coordinates borrower success and default prevention initiatives, and serves as a backup resource for selected financial aid system functions. The position reviews and processes financial aid applications, advises on available aid options, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports student access, persistence, and success through outreach and counseling. It also collaborates with campus partners to advance enrollment, retention, and student success goals.

Responsibilities

• Counsel prospective and current students and families on federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.
• Review financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine aid eligibility.
• Assist students and families in understanding financial aid offers, financing options, borrowing decisions, and payment responsibilities.
• Process and review verification documents, professional judgment requests, dependency overrides, special circumstance appeals, and other financial aid reviews.
• Administer scholarship programs, including awarding and eligibility reviews.
• Interpret and explain federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures.
• Resolve student and parent inquiries via in-person, phone, email, and virtual appointments.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Student Billing, Academic Advising, Athletics, and other campus partners to support enrollment, retention, and success.
• Participate in financial aid presentations, orientation programs, FAFSA workshops, and outreach events.
• Coordinate borrower delinquency, default prevention, and loan repayment success initiatives.
• Monitor borrower repayment trends, delinquency data, and federal loan outcomes to identify opportunities for proactive outreach.
• Conduct targeted outreach to former students and borrowers on repayment options, loan servicer resources, and strategies to avoid delinquency and default.
• Provide entrance and exit counseling guidance and educate students on federal loan rights and responsibilities.
• Counsel students and families on financing options, borrowing decisions, and long-term financial wellness.
• Maintain records and documentation related to default prevention, borrower outreach, and financial literacy initiatives.
• Prepare reports and recommendations on borrower success, repayment outcomes, and default prevention efforts.
• Review system-generated reports to identify discrepancies, trends, and operational improvement opportunities.
• Assist with financial aid system operations, data integrity reviews, and technology-driven communication initiatives.
• Serve as a backup resource for designated Banner financial aid processing functions, system testing, report review, and operational processes to ensure continuity during staff absences or peak periods.

Requirements

• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, higher education student services, or a related field.
• Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations, need analysis, verification, and eligibility requirements.
• Experience administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs within higher education preferred.
• Experience with default prevention, financial literacy programming, borrower outreach, retention initiatives, or loan repayment counseling preferred.
• Experience with financial aid management systems such as Banner, Cognos, Slate, or similar strongly preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex federal regulations and financial aid policies.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated technical aptitude with student systems, reporting tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.