Director of Student Financial Services

Position Summary

The Director of Student Financial Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the College’s Student Financial Services function, including the implementation of Title IV federal financial aid programs. This position is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, accurate financial aid awarding and disbursement, effective management of student accounts, and the delivery of clear, compassionate, and timely financial guidance to students and families.

Primary Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategic Planning
  Provides leadership and direction for the Student Financial Services office, including organizational planning, workflow design, and staff development.
  Collaborates with College leadership to develop and execute a financial aid and student accounts strategy aligned with institutional mission, enrollment goals, and compliance requirements.
  Serves as a key partner in the College’s transition to full Title IV participation, ensuring systems, processes, and controls meet federal and state standards.

• Financial Aid Administration & Compliance
  Oversees the determination of student eligibility, accurate packaging, awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation of financial aid in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
  Ensures compliance with all Title IV requirements, including but not limited to cash management, Return to Title IV (R2T4), Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), verification, and reporting obligations, collaborating with Principia’s Compliance Program Manager.
  Monitors and administers federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Work-Study, state grants and loans, and institutional scholarships and discounts.
  Develops, implements, maintains, and regularly updates policies and procedures related to financial aid and student accounts to ensure ongoing compliance and audit readiness. Stays current with regulatory changes and best practices and translates requirements into actionable institutional processes.

• Student Accounts & Service Excellence
  Promotes early, proactive, and transparent communication with students and families regarding financial aid, educational financing, billing timelines, and financial responsibilities.
  Responds to and resolves complex student and family inquiries with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.

• Systems, Reporting & Operations
  Leads the installation, configuration, and ongoing management of financial aid and student account software systems and related automated processes.
  Coordinates the preparation and distribution of print and electronic communications, forms, and disclosure materials.
  Serves as liaison with Institutional Research and other offices to ensure accurate and timely reporting, including FISAP, IPEDS, and other required federal and institutional reports.

• Collaboration & Campus Integration
  Works closely with Admissions, Registrar, Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Residence Life, and other departments to ensure timely communication of enrollment changes affecting financial aid and student billing.
  Collaborates across campus to support initiatives that improve financial literacy, reduce student loan indebtedness, and minimize cohort default rates.

• Staff Management
  Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates Student Financial Services staff.
  Fosters a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and service excellence through ongoing training and professional development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred.

• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here: https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in student financial services at a Title IV-eligible institution.

• At least three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, including Title IV compliance.

• Experience with financial aid management systems and automated student account platforms.

• Strong analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, finance, or a related field.

• Experience supporting a new or expanding Title IV program.