Financial Aid Director

Hostos Community College’s Financial Aid Office removes financial barriers and empowers students to meet their educational goals through strict adherence to federal, state, city, and University requirements. The office is committed to equitable treatment, privacy of confidential information, and high-quality service delivery, offering individual counseling, group workshops, and assistance with online financial aid forms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all Financial Aid Office staff and operations.
• Develop and leverage data-informed financial aid strategies by analyzing aid utilization, student need, and award outcomes to enhance student access, affordability, and success.
• Lead cross-functional strategic planning initiatives with Admissions, Bursar, Registrar, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to align enrollment, retention, and completion efforts with institutional priorities.
• Establish department goals, assess outcomes, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the effective use of financial aid management systems and technology platforms.
• Prepare and present reports on financial aid trends, performance metrics, compliance, and student outcomes.
• Perform complex data analyses on financial aid processes using CUNYfirst to make projections and create improvement plans.
• Oversee internal reconciliation efforts and reports to auditors, program reviewers, and accreditation teams.
• Develop staff training on financial aid systems, Title IV program eligibility, and other operational areas.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with College leadership.
• Develop and interpret financial aid policies and procedures for federal and state programs, including internal loan programs, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, College Work Study, and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
• Report on program expenditures, spending projections, and analyses of spending patterns.
• Authorize the disbursement of funds and monitor compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Serve as College liaison to federal, state, local, and professional agencies on financial aid matters.
• Ensure effective collaboration between the Financial Aid Office and other College units (e.g., Admissions, Registrar, Bursar).
• Manage financial aid staffing, development, and evaluation.
• Essential duties require on-campus presence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and eight years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree and at least five years of supervisory experience with progressively increasing responsibility in managing financial aid operations at the university level.
• Knowledge of financial aid trends related to student aid management, state and institutional fund management, and experience implementing federal, state, and institutional financial aid program practices, laws, and compliance regulations.
• Experience preparing state and federal reports.
• Knowledge of industry-related software and database management for delivering, tracking, and evaluating financial aid technology and strategies.
• Proficiency in managing integrated financial aid computerized record-keeping systems, including EDE electronic processing, Electronic PELL, and Web Grants.
• Excellent counseling skills to interface with students, prospective students, families, faculty, staff, external organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to organize and communicate thoughts effectively with coworkers, the public, and student populations.
• Willingness to work outside standard business hours to complete job requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plans supporting health and wellness.
• Competitive retirement and pension benefits, including savings plans.
• Tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study.
• Generous paid time off.
• Access to extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on CUNY campuses.
• Opportunity to participate in a diverse academic community in New York City.

Pay

$117,971 - $136,040; salary commensurate with education and experience.