Position Details
Position Information
Budget Title
Director of Financial Aid
Campus Title
Director of Financial Aid
School/Division
Finance and Management, Division of
Department
Financial Aid Office
Staff Sub-Type
Staff & Administration
Salary Level
SL5
Salary Range
$110,000 + depending on experience (DOE)
Salary Determination
Starting salary rates are based on multiples factors which may
include the position’s major responsibilities, the applicant’s
background including education, work experience, and key
competencies, the university’s strategic priorities, internal peer
equity and external market analyses, applicable federal, state, and
local laws and negotiated labor contracts.
Position Effort
Full-Time
If Part-Time, enter FTE:
Is this a temporary position?
No
If Temporary, enter End Date:
Position Summary
The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President for
Finance and Management and provides strategic leadership and
administrative oversight for all financial aid operations. The
Director ensures compliance with federal, New York State, and
institutional regulations while advancing equitable access to
higher education. Serving as the university’s Chief Title IV
Financial Aid Administrator, the Director is responsible for the
effective administration of federal, state, and institutional
financial aid programs. This position leads a team of financial aid
professionals, oversees operational processes, develops and
implements policies and procedures, and collaborates with
colleagues across the University to deliver exceptional service to
students and their families. The Director supports university
enrollment and student success goals through effective financial
aid strategy, administration, and stewardship.
What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?
- Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many
offer permanency.
- Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance,
various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or
parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts,
long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
- SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in
all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is
free for employees to use, with membership options for families.
Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s
approval.
- Professional development opportunities exist through training,
continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference
travel, based on funding.
- Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to
arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience
Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings
Major Responsibilities
Leadership and Administration
- Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the
Financial Aid Office.
- Serve as the institution’s Chief Title IV Financial Aid
Administrator.
- Hire, onboard, and train staff. Provide clear instructions,
regular feedback, and coaching. Communicate performance
expectations and goals, complete performance programs and
evaluations in a timely manner. Nurture the development of staff by
identifying opportunities for training and career development.
- Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust
assignments as needed. Plan, organize and monitor the progress of
work and goal completion.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented culture
focused on student success.
- Articulate a vision that unites team members/staff and define
departmental objectives and goals to establish a common purpose.
Assess performance metrics, and implement continuous process
improvements.
- Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance
with university policies and state and federal laws.
- Act as a liaison between staff and senior management, relaying
information in both directions. Facilitate open communication and
collaboration within the office. Address and help resolve staff
issues and workplace concerns.
- Support staff participation in professional development,
training, conferences, and professional associations to maintain
current knowledge of financial aid regulations, best practices, and
emerging trends.
Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
- Ensure full compliance with all federal Title IV regulations,
New York State financial aid programs, system, and institutional
policies.
- Interpret, communicate, and implement changes to federal and
state financial aid regulations.
- Develop, maintain, and regularly update the Financial Aid
Policies and Procedures Manual.
- Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard
financial aid resources and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Coordinate audit activities and respond to federal, state, and
institutional reporting requirements.
Financial Aid Operations
- Oversee the accurate and timely processing, verification,
awarding, and disbursement of financial aid.
- Monitor student eligibility requirements, including
Satisfactory Academic Progress ( SAP ), and ensure timely
communication regarding eligibility changes.
- Prepare and submit all required federal, state, and
institutional reports and applications.
- Manage the department’s annual operating budget and monitor
expenditures.
Technology and Process Improvement
- Partner with Information Technology and system administration
to optimize Ellucian Banner financial aid processes.
- Lead testing, implementation, and enhancement of Banner
functionality and related technologies.
- Develop and utilize data reporting tools to improve operational
efficiency, compliance, and decision-making.
- Identify opportunities for automation and continuous
improvement to enhance student service and operational
effectiveness.
Campus Collaboration
- Serve as a collaborative partner with campus stakeholders to
provide an integrated, student-centered financial aid
experience.
- Provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and
administrators regarding financial aid regulations, policies, and
their impact on student eligibility.
- Represent SUNY Cortland with federal, state, and professional
organizations as appropriate.
- Participate in outreach, recruitment, financial aid awareness,
and student engagement activities as appropriate.
Functional and Supervisory Relationships
- Reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management
- Supervises the professional financial aid staff
- Collaborates with university stakeholders, as appropriate
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution.
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial
aid administration, including at least two years in a supervisory
or leadership role.
- Demonstrated expertise in Title IV federal financial aid
regulations and New York State financial aid programs, including
TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship.
- Experience administering financial aid using Ellucian Banner or
a comparable student information system.
- Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets and
financial resources.
- Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and developing
professional staff.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and
student-centered environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business
Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Experience working within the SUNY system or another public
higher education institution.
- Experience with New York State Higher Education Services
Corporation ( HESC ) systems and reporting.
- Certified Financial Aid Administrator ( CFAA ) credential or
equivalent professional certification.
- Demonstrated experience leading technology implementations,
business process improvements, or organizational change
initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of federal Title IV and New York State financial aid
regulations, programs, and compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of financial aid administration practices, student
information systems, and related technologies, preferably Ellucian
Banner.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and
decision-making skills.
- Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
skills.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and
policies.
- Ability to utilize data and reporting tools to support
decision-making and operational effectiveness.
- Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional
and support staff
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working
relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and
integrity.
- Ability to provide strategic leadership that advances
compliance, enrollment objectives, and student success.
About the University
A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in
the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides
accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S.
body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University
of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous
undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences,
education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY
Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a
well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The
University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on
Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,”
fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an
impressive network of alumni making a difference in education,
business, government, fitness, medicine and many other
fields.
EEO Statement
SUNY Cortland is an AA/ EEO / ADA employer and encourages
applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities,
and members of underrepresented groups.
Job Close Date
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S26025
Review Start Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting
https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11571
Special Instructions
Special Instructions to Applicant
Special Instructions to Applicant
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Are you in default on a federal student loan?
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Cover Letter
- Copy of Transcript (Highest/Current Degree)
- Letters of Recommendation (Self-Submitted by Applicant)
Optional Documents
