Director of Financial Aid

Job Description

Job Description

Summary :

The company is seeking an experienced and dedicated Director of Financial Aid to lead our Office of Financial Aid, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while delivering outstanding student service. This role encompasses critical responsibilities such as overseeing financial aid disbursement, managing federal and institutional programs, and advising students and families on financial aid options. The Director will also lead key initiatives, including compliance reporting, software system management, and strategic planning for the financial aid office.

This is a full-time, in-person position. The Director will play a vital role in supporting the mission of the law school, enhancing the student experience, and ensuring financial aid processes align with institutional priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Student Counseling and Financial Aid Management

Advise prospective and current students, alumni, and families on financial aid options, loan processes, and debt management strategies.

Oversee financial aid awarding and verification to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.

Administer federal work-study programs and ensure equitable distribution of awards.

Serve as a VA School Certifying Official, managing veterans' education benefits, including enrollment certification, benefits counseling, and compliance with VA regulations.

Key Projects and Compliance Initiatives

Manage the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) Recertification, ensuring timely submission and follow-up to maintain federal student aid eligibility.

Oversee aid disbursements, processes, and refunds for the academic semesters.

Lead the setup of the financial aid year in software systems and award aid to incoming students.

Coordinate compliance reporting, including IPEDS, FISAP, ABA, and A133 audits, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.

Complete the FVT / GE Report and follow up on federal requirements.

Manage summer aid programs, including work-study for internships and the Galway program.

Oversee end-of-semester processes, including exit counseling, SAP reviews, and enrollment reporting.

Leadership and Operational Improvement

Supervise, train, and mentor financial aid staff members in-person, fostering professional development, accountability, and a collaborative team environment.

Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and student service.

Maintain accurate financial aid information across multiple platforms, including the website, intranet, and PowerFAIDS / Net Partner portals.

Collaboration and Institutional Support

Work closely with the Dean of Enrollment and Strategic Initiatives to align financial aid strategies with institutional goals.

Support the Office of Finance with research on policies, cost-of-attendance budgets, and professional judgment cases.

Represent the Office of Financial Aid at school events, functions, and external professional organizations.

Qualifications and Skills :

Education : Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Experience : At least 5 years of financial aid experience, ideally at the graduate / professional level.

Technical Proficiency : Experience with PowerFAIDS (including Net Partner), Jenzabar, and federal software (e.g., COD, EDConnect, NSLDS). Proficiency in MS Office Suite required.

Regulatory Knowledge : Strong understanding of federal Title IV regulations, VA education benefits, and institutional financial aid policies.

Skills :

Exceptional communication and customer service skills.

Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Independent, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple deadlines.