Director, Financial Aid
Description Summary
The Director of Financial Aid provides leadership and oversight for all financial aid programs and services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and institutional regulations. The Director is responsible for the administration of federal Title IV programs, state financial aid programs, veterans' educational benefits, and institutional scholarships while supporting student access, enrollment, retention, and success.
The Director manages the daily operations of the Financial Aid Office, supervises staff, oversees compliance and reporting requirements, and collaborates with campus partners to deliver accurate, efficient, and student-centered financial aid services. Through strategic leadership and a commitment to customer service, the Director works to remove financial barriers and promote equitable access to higher education.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Administration
- Provide leadership, management, and oversight of all financial aid programs and services.
- Direct the daily operations of the Financial Aid Office and serve as a visible leader within the One Stop Student Center.
- Recruit, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate Financial Aid staff.
- Facilitate departmental meetings and coordinate cross-training opportunities to ensure operational continuity.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
Financial Aid Operations & Compliance
- Administer federal Title IV programs, state financial aid programs, veterans' educational benefits, institutional scholarships, and other student financial assistance programs.
- Oversee financial aid processes, including eligibility determination, verification, awarding, disbursement, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), professional judgment reviews, and Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4).
- Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, accreditation, and institutional regulations.
- Maintain accurate and auditable records and ensure compliance with all reporting and audit requirements.
Reporting, Budgeting & Data Management
- Oversee the preparation and submission of required federal, state, accreditation, and institutional reports, including FISAP, IPEDS, ISAC reporting, audits, program reviews, Board reports, and annual departmental reports.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets and monitor expenditures of institutional, state, and federal funds.
- Maintain systems for data collection, reporting, assessment, and compliance monitoring.
- Utilize data and technology to evaluate departmental effectiveness and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Student Success & Enrollment Support
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Admissions, Registration, Advising, Academic Affairs, and other campus stakeholders to support student recruitment, enrollment, retention, persistence, and completion.
- Communicate financial aid information clearly and professionally to students, families, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Assist students and families in understanding financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and funding options.
- Support initiatives that promote equitable access to higher education and student success.
Outreach & Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain partnerships with local high schools, colleges, universities, community organizations, and external agencies.
- Present financial aid information at orientations, recruitment events, college fairs, workshops, financial aid nights, and community outreach activities.
- Support financial literacy, FAFSA completion, and college access initiatives.
Technology & Communications
- Maintain and update Financial Aid website content, the College Net Price Calculator, communication materials, and related student resources.
- Ensure effective utilization of student information systems and financial aid technologies to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
Institutional Service
- Serve on institutional committees, accreditation teams, task forces, and professional organizations as assigned.
- Foster collaborative relationships across the College and contribute to a positive, student-centered campus culture.
Other
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Associate’s degree.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible financial aid experience.
- Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory and budget management experience.
- Experience administering federal Title IV programs, state financial aid programs, veterans' educational benefits, institutional scholarships, and student loan programs.
- Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, compliance requirements, audits, and reporting.
- Experience with student information systems and financial aid software, preferably Ellucian Colleague.
- Strong leadership, analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to supervise and develop staff while fostering a collaborative and student-centered environment.
- Commitment to student success, exceptional customer service, and the Morton College core values of Compassion, Equity, Accountability, Innovation, and Excellence.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- Administrative or leadership experience in a community college or higher education setting.
- Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible financial aid experience.
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague and financial aid management systems.
- Bilingual in Spanish and English, both written and oral.
- Experience conducting financial aid audits, compliance reviews, and program assessments.
- Knowledge of enrollment management principles and the role of financial aid in supporting student access, retention, and success.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, interpret complex regulations, and implement process improvements.
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
- Commitment to the community college mission and a student-centered approach to service.
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