Associate Director of Financial Aid - Compliance

About the Role

The Associate Director of Financial Aid - Compliance provides strategic leadership and oversight of federal, state, and institutional financial aid compliance programs, including compliance related to Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, this position ensures the University's financial aid administration complies with applicable regulations, policies, and industry standards while minimizing institutional risk. As a member of the Financial Aid leadership team, the Associate Director is responsible for compliance oversight, regulatory interpretation, policy development, quality assurance, audits, reporting, reconciliation, and continuous improvement of financial aid operations. The position collaborates extensively with campus stakeholders to establish effective internal controls and support compliant administration of financial aid programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the University's financial aid compliance program, ensuring adherence to federal Title IV, state, and institutional requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes, interpret new guidance, assess operational impacts, and implement compliant processes and procedures.
• Advise leadership regarding compliance risks, internal controls, and corrective actions.
• Oversee compliance functions including SAP, R2T4, verification, professional judgment, eligibility determination, disbursement requirements, consumer information, reconciliation, federal reporting, and related Title IV activities.
• Provide subject matter expertise and compliance oversight for traditional and non-traditional academic programs, including CBE programs.
• Provide leadership and compliance oversight for Competency-Based Education (CBE) and other nontraditional academic programs, including program implementation reviews, policy development, quality assurance, regulatory monitoring, and staff training.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative partners to ensure compliance, data integrity, and effective administration of financial aid programs across all delivery models.
• Develop and maintain compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and internal control processes.
• Lead audit, program review, and compliance examination activities, including documentation, responses, corrective action planning, and ongoing monitoring.
• Identify compliance risks and implement strategies to reduce financial and regulatory exposure.
• Oversee reconciliation of federal and applicable state financial aid programs and ensure reporting accuracy, timely submissions, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Partner with Finance, Student Accounts, Registrar, Institutional Research, and Information Technology to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Lead development and maintenance of financial aid policies, procedures, and compliance documentation.
• Provide compliance training, regulatory guidance, and communication to Financial Aid staff and campus partners.
• Supervise assigned staff, establish performance expectations, and support professional development and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, student financial services, higher education compliance, or a closely related area.
• Significant working knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations.
• Experience in areas such as SAP, R2T4, reconciliation, audits, reporting, verification, policy development, or compliance management.
• Experience using SQL or similar data-query tools to analyze, validate, and reconcile data.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret regulations, assess risk, develop policies, and implement compliant processes.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple regulatory deadlines and priorities.
• Ability to communicate complex compliance requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across institutional departments.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Valid driver's license.
• Must be in good standing on any Federal student loans.
• Ability to work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends.
• Occasional overnight travel and evening and weekend work are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Ten (10) or more years of financial aid experience.
• Five (5) or more years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with CBE, subscription-based, non-term, or other non-traditional academic programs.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner or comparable ERP systems.
• Experience with federal student aid systems, audits, program reviews, compliance monitoring, and quality assurance programs.

Benefits

• Employee tuition assistance for master's and doctoral programs.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays, plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
• Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.
• Access to cutting-edge research opportunities at a designated R2 Research Institution.
• ETAMU is ranked among the top 30% in five online degree programs and offers nationally recognized academic programs.
• Over 140 degree programs, including nationally ranked online and graduate options.
• First accredited institution to offer a competency-based bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
• Distance education offerings in Corsicana, Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Mesquite, Bryan, and online.
• Work in advanced facilities such as the 113,470-square-foot Nursing and Health Sciences Building, featuring a state-of-the-art simulation hospital and a 1,300-acre agricultural research farm.
• Engage with over 95 student organizations and 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams, contributing to a thriving campus community.
• Enjoy the benefits of working in rapidly growing regions, with abundant career opportunities at six locations across Dallas and Northeast Texas.

Pay & Schedule

Proposed minimum salary is commensurate. Ability to work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends is required. Occasional overnight travel and evening and weekend work are required.

Supervision

Assigned Financial Aid staff and/or functional areas.

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