What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Financial Aid position at Maryland Institute College of Art?
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Job Title : Assistant Director, Financial Aid
Department : Financial Aid
FLSA Status : Exempt
Reports to : Director, Financial Aid
Work Schedule : 35 hours / week; 12 months / year
Union : SEIU Local 500
Grade Level : 6
Salary Range : $47,700 - $59,600
Position Overview : The Assistant Director of Financial Aid at MICA plays a pivotal role in equipping students,families, and internal teams with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the financial aid process effectively. This position is responsible for direct financial aid advising, capacity building for students and staff, and strategic training initiatives aimed at enhancing financial literacy, student employment experiences, and institutional efficiency.
Serving as an essential point of contact for both undergraduate and graduate students, the Assistant Director ensures that students receive holistic financial guidance tailored to their unique academic and artistic goals. This role also facilitates seamless coordination between Financial Aid, Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions, Human Resources (HR) for Student Employment, and MICA’s Foundation to support student financial well-being.
Additionally, the Assistant Director leads financial aid training initiatives and outreach programs, including workshops, digital content creation, and cross-departmental training, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff are well-informed about financial aid opportunities, policies, and best practices.
General purpose : Administer federal, state, and institutional financial aid while guiding students and families on the value of higher education at the Maryland Institute College of Art, including academic and artistic fit, long-term educational investment, and financial sustainability, to support informed decision-making aligned with their personal and professional goals.
Summary of Essential Functions Essential Duties & Responsibilities :
Student-Focused Financial Aid Training & Advising
Provide comprehensive financial aid advising for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their families, guiding them through the financial aid process, financing options, and budgeting strategies for attending a private art school.
Develop and deliver financial literacy workshops, online modules, and one-on-one coaching sessions to help students make informed financial decisions regarding tuition, loans, work-study, and personal finances.
Utilize professional judgment to process appeals and counsel students and families on special circumstances impacting their financial aid eligibility.
Capacity Building & Training for Internal Teams
Develop and facilitate ongoing training sessions for Financial Aid staff, Admission counselors,
Academic Advisors, and Student Services teams to ensure institutional alignment on financial aid policies, procedures, and best practices.
Create training materials, toolkits, and digital resources to improve internal teams’ understanding of financial aid regulations, loan counseling, and SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) monitoring.
Serve as a liaison between Financial Aid and other MICA departments, ensuring that financial aid knowledge is integrated into student advising, admissions, and retention efforts.
Student Employment & Career Development
Partner with MICA’s People, Belonging & Culture Department to administer and enhance the Student Employment Program, ensuring alignment with students; academic and career development goals.
Design and implement evidence-based learning opportunities for students in Federal Work-Study and MICA Student Employment, transforming student jobs into high-impact, career-building experiences.
Provide training for supervisors of student employees, equipping them with tools to mentor students effectively and integrate learning objectives into work experiences.
Financial Aid Outreach & Community Engagement
Lead financial aid outreach initiatives, including campus events, informational workshops, and virtual content development (, video tutorials, webinars, digital guides) to educate students and families on financial aid processes.
Serve as a representative of MICA’s Financial Aid Office at student, parent, and community events, fostering engagement and transparent communication.
Work collaboratively with Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions to ensure prospective students receive accurate financial aid guidance during the recruitment and enrollment process.
Institutional Financial Aid Operations & Policy Implementation
Work closely with MICA’s Foundation to ensure donor-funded scholarships are allocated efficiently and equitably to support student success.
Review financial aid applications for accuracy, process student eligibility documentation, determine financial need, and award aid in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Identify opportunities to improve financial aid processes, ensuring better efficiency, accessibility, and a student-centered approach.
Maintain current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, ensuring compliance and accurate implementation across institutional practices.
Minimum Qualifications :
Associate’s degree
Previous experience in financial aid administration, student advising, Finance, or admissions in a higher education setting.
Strong understanding of federal financial aid programs, including Federal Work-Study, grants, loans, and special circumstances appeals.
Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate cross-departmentally in a dynamic, student-focused environment.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present to students, families, faculty, and staff in both individual and group settings.
Preferred Qualifications :
Proven ability to develop digital and in-person educational materials to enhance financial literacy and student support.
Knowledge of student employment program administration and its intersection with academic and career development.
Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate cross-departmentally in a dynamic, student-focused environment.
Familiarity with financial aid management systems (, PeopleSoft, Banner, or other student information systems.
Experience in training, capacity building, and workshop facilitation.
Reporting to this position : No direct reports
Conditions of Employment :
Satisfactory Background Check results
Unusual Circumstances related to the position : Work occasional evenings and / or weekends, short blackout periods during high-volume times
Physical Demands and Work Environment : The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands : While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; ride a bike, operate a Segway, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work environment : While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment ranges from minimal to moderate.
Required training : Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Crime Prevention, Patrol Tactics, Emergency Response, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE : EHS Manager training schedule)
Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.
Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.
Salary : $47,700 - $59,600
