Director of Financial Aid

About the Role

The Director, Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of over $150 million in federal, state, university, and private sources of financial assistance for UIndy students. This assistance is awarded based on factors such as financial need, merit, and talent and is essential to the University’s ability to enroll both undergraduate and graduate students.

Under the leadership of the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director of Financial Aid will oversee the day-to-day operations of all Financial Aid activities, ensure key reporting obligations are met, coordinate training, and foster a compliance culture. The role involves collaborating with other administrative areas to balance enrollment and retention goals, tuition discount rates, and net income while maintaining compliance for federal and state aid programs.

Responsibilities

• Review and implement federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures, staying current with regulatory changes.
• Ensure proper completion and submission of all major reporting functions, including ECAR, PPA, FISAP, state grant reporting, and ICI Reports.
• Partner with the Budget office to review, manage, and adjust the UIndy unfunded aid budget according to enrollment and initiatives.
• Design and implement an organizational structure that optimizes student service and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee compliance training for Financial Aid Office staff and provide regulatory guidance to stakeholders.
• Supervise Financial Aid Technology to ensure consistent and effective coding structures and system functionality.
• Serve as the primary contact for external partners, including auditors, the Department of Education, and the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
• Manage and award scholarships in collaboration with community partners and the Advancement Office, ensuring donor requirements are met.
• Review and update annual packaging formulas and maintain the Institutional Packaging Policy.
• Create and maintain a culture of high customer service for students, families, and internal/external partners.
• Develop communication plans for critical data exchange between offices such as Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Athletics, and other departments on strategic planning and compliance (e.g., NCAA regulations).
• Partner with the Controller’s Office to accomplish annual audit objectives and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Oversee Financial Aid office budgets to ensure proper spending within allotted funds.
• Serve on university committees, including the Retention Committee and Financial Appeals Committee.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of experience as a Director or Associate Director of Financial Aid.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague, Cognos, Slate, Blackboard, and/or similar higher education financial aid systems.
• Experience assisting student-athletes with financial aid needs and familiarity with NCAA compliance software (e.g., ARMS).
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and university financial aid programs, laws, and regulations.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and student success.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and implement policy and documentation.
• Strong communication, project management, data analysis, and supervisory skills.
• Experience with strategic enrollment management and data analytics or business intelligence tools.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree; Master’s Degree preferred.
• NASFAA certification (or ability to obtain quickly).

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Tuition discount.
• Retirement Savings Plan (403B).
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays, plus additional University days off.
• Employee discounts and services.
• Free parking.
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center.