Assistant Vice President, Financial Aid

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Operations
  • Provide leadership and oversight for the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring effective day-to-day operations, including awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation processes.
  • Establish and maintain policies, workflows, and service standards that support accurate, efficient, and compliant administration of financial aid programs.
  • Ensure the effective use of systems and technology to support operational excellence and service delivery.
• Strategy & Enrollment Alignment
  • Develop and implement a sophisticated financial aid strategy aligned with USC’s enrollment management plan.
  • Lead financial aid modeling efforts and partner with Admissions to support recruitment and conversion strategies.
  • Translate institutional priorities into operational financial aid practices that support access, retention, and student success.
  • Design and apply assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of financial aid strategies and initiatives.
• Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
  • Ensure full compliance with Title IV, state aid programs, and institutional policies.
  • Oversee audit preparation and responses, maintaining strong internal controls and quality assurance practices.
  • Monitor regulatory developments and advise leadership on operational and policy implications.
• Data, Analytics & Financial Stewardship
  • Use data and analytics to inform operational decisions, workload planning, and resource allocation.
  • Provide reporting and insights to Enrollment Management leadership to support recruitment and retention goals.
  • Identify trends and recommend strategic adjustments to financial aid practices.
  • Oversee the operating budget and ensure responsible stewardship of federal, state, and institutional aid funds.
  • Prepare financial forecasts and support divisional planning through accurate reporting.
• Collaboration & Student Experience
  • Partner with Enrollment Management, Student Financial Services, the Registrar, and other campus stakeholders to ensure coordinated service delivery.
  • Support cross-functional initiatives and collaborate with Information Technology on system enhancements.
  • Ensure delivery of high-quality, student-centered counseling and support services that are accessible and responsive to diverse student needs.
  • Work with Marketing and Communications to provide clear and timely financial aid information to students and families.
• Organizational Leadership & Culture
  • Supervise managers and professional staff, supporting hiring, training, coaching, and professional development.
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture aligned with the USC Code of Ethics.
  • Promote continuous improvement, accountability, and service excellence across the organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, organizational development, or related field
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations
• Experience managing financial aid operations, awarding processes, and compliance programs
• Demonstrated financial stewardship and budget oversight experience
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into operational practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences
• Experience using data to inform decisions and improve outcomes
• Proven leadership experience supervising staff and developing high-performing teams
• Commitment to equitable access and student success
• Familiarity with financial aid systems (e.g., Oracle, Salesforce, PowerFAIDS)
• Experience with process improvement, automation, or change management

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, organizational development, or related field
• Ten (10) years of experience in financial aid, student financial services, or enrollment operations
• Understanding of cultural, socioeconomic, and equity-related factors impacting financial aid and student success