Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships

Classified as: Administrator II. This position’s responsibilities are carried out with minimal direction. Develops procedures, manages resources, supervises professional staff, and ensures achievement of program objectives. The incumbent independently determines and develops approaches to solutions within functional policy and organizational guidelines. Work is reviewed upon completion for effectiveness in achieving program objectives and alignment with divisional goals.

About the role

The incumbent is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, directing the administration of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship financial aid programs. As a member of the Strategic Enrollment Management leadership team, the incumbent ensures compliance with applicable regulations, oversees financial aid policies and operations, collaborates with campus and external partners, and supports institutional enrollment and student success goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic vision for the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, establishing goals, priorities, and operational strategies that support university enrollment management and student success.
• Lead long-range planning and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure operational effectiveness, regulatory readiness, and exceptional student service.
• Direct personnel administration, including recruitment, selection, performance management, employee development, succession planning, and supervision.
• Allocate and manage departmental staffing, workload, and resources to achieve operational, compliance, and service objectives.
• Assess departmental performance, identify organizational risks, recommend solutions to executive leadership, and implement corrective actions.
• Stay informed of emerging legislation, funding changes, and industry trends, directing implementation of required operational and policy changes.
• Serve as a member of university leadership committees and contribute to institutional strategic planning initiatives.
• Provide executive oversight for compliance with federal, state, CSU, NCAA, and university financial aid regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Interpret complex regulatory requirements and direct the implementation of institutional financial aid policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Direct financial aid compliance reviews, audits, reporting activities, and corrective action plans, including oversight of FISAP, Program Participation Agreement (PPA), FAADB, A-133 audits, and other required submissions.
• Exercise delegated authority to approve complex Professional Judgment determinations and other exceptions requiring Director-level review.
• Direct administration of the Financial Aid Office operating budget, trust funds, and fiscal resources while ensuring sound stewardship and compliance with university financial policies.
• Direct daily operations of the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office to ensure timely awarding, disbursement, compliance, and student service.
• Provide executive oversight of enterprise financial aid systems, including PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and federal and state processing systems such as NSLDS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, NSC, and WebGrants.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery.
• Monitor departmental productivity and operational performance using data and assessment measures to improve effectiveness and achieve institutional objectives.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with the U.S. Department of Education officials, California Student Aid Commission officials, and related government and community agencies.
• Represent the university as a member of the system-wide Financial Aid Director’s Group.
• Ensure collaborative working relationships are maintained with a variety of university departments including the Enrollment Services Office, Student Financial Services, Admissions, Academic Advising, and Cashiers.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the U.S. Department of Education, California Student Aid Commission, CSU Chancellor's Office, and other governmental and community organizations.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Services, Student Financial Services, Admissions, Academic Advising, Housing, the Registrar, Cashiers, and other campus partners to support enrollment management and student success initiatives.
• Serve as the final administrative authority for complex student complaints, appeals, and sensitive financial aid issues escalated beyond subordinate staff.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations and educational agencies to promote financial aid awareness and improve access to higher education.
• May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
• At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: Five (5) years progressively responsible experience; significant supervisory responsibility. Additional progressively responsible experience directly related to the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) to Eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial aid administration, enrollment management, or a related higher education student services function.
• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Business, or relevant field.
• Prior experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
• Experience providing strategic leadership and management of a comprehensive financial aid operation in a higher education environment.
• Experience interpreting and administering complex federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, including Title IV programs.
• Experience with budget administration, policy development, strategic planning, and organizational change management.
• Experience using enterprise student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft Campus Solutions) and financial aid technologies to improve operational effectiveness, compliance, and student service.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the assigned functional area.
• Knowledge of university governance structures and organizational processes.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and CSU policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to independently interpret and implement policies and recommend procedural improvements.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and financial resources.
• Ability to supervise professional staff and, where applicable, subordinate supervisors.
• Ability to apply labor agreements and advise on employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Skill in data analysis, reporting, and operational assessment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay

Anticipated starting salary will be $9,818 - $11,000 per month.

Benefits

As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to:

• Outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans.
• Fee waiver education program.
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
• 15 paid holidays a year.

CSU Employee Benefit Summary

About the Organization

California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion – one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students.