Financial Aid Director

Job Description

This is a full-time (260 day) position with campus location to be determined upon hire with travel to other campuses required. Primarily responsible for all matters relating to student financial aid on all campuses of the College. Direct grant aid and loan programs to provide financial assistance to students. Coordinate with Institutional Advancement to select scholarship recipients and process types and amounts of student aid. Organize and oversee student financial counseling activities. Coordinate and supervise staff responsible for issuing student aid or encumbering student accounts. Organizational, supervisory, technology, and interpersonal skills are essential.

% of TIME Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Constant (67-100%)

1. Supervise, coordinate, and manage all phases, personnel and activities of the College related to student federal and state financial aid.
2. Maintain familiarity and comply with all required government regulations and ethical practices.
3. Oversee staff in collection of documents to complete student aid files.
4. Authorize business office to disburse funds to approved students.
5. Monitor and maintain budget.
6. Be responsive to individual needs of students.
7. Demonstrate ability to build rapport and remove barriers for students and parents in processing financial aid.
8. Access and fully utilize student information system/database.
9. Collaborate with admissions staff, advisors, and faculty to communicate financial aid eligibility information to students.
10. Ensure institutional compliance with all federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, including monitoring regulatory changes and updating policies and procedures as needed.
11. Calculate workforce Pell eligibility.
12. Inform students on borrowing options and guide them through repayment responsibilities.

Frequent (34-66%)

1. Set and maintain financial aid policies and procedures.
2. Assist students with financial aid applications and counsel them on procedures, responsibilities, budget management, financial literacy, etc.
3. Work with students and advisors/faculty to complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal.
4. Maintain communication with administration, faculty, students and other staff on pertinent issues/changes in financial aid.
5. Attend student services, administrative team, and all campus meetings.
6. Compile and send monthly reports to the Student Clearinghouse.
7. Verify and apply state grants to student accounts.
8. Oversee tuition waivers for employees and their eligible dependents.
9. Collaborate with students and staff to identify and secure work-study opportunities.

Occasional (10-33%)

1. Determine student budgets according to tuition and fees, room and board charges, etc.
2. Complete required annual and periodic reports for state and federal reporting requirements.
3. Present at local high school financial aid meetings, Laker Visit Days, and orientation sessions.
4. Participate in statewide financial aid director's organization.
5. Cross train other student services staff on general financial aid and FAFSA completion.
6. Oversee all work-study applicants through E-Verify.
7. Serve on committees and teams as assigned.
8. Complete annual computer system set-up.
9. Work with college auditors to complete yearly audit.
10. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of all aspects of student financial aid, maintaining a student-centered focus.
2. Ability to effectively communicate, manage and supervise financial aid activities and personnel.
3. Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a Datatel module, the web, and other sources.
4. Ability to assume responsibility, deal effectively with problems and exercise good judgment when making decisions.
5. Ability to effectively communicate and interact with students and parents in the financial aid process.
6. A thorough understanding of all governmental regulations and ability to comply with all conditions of regulations.
7. Ability to efficiently perform tasks in an environment of frequent interruptions.
8. Thorough knowledge of office procedures, telephone techniques and office equipment, as well as correct English usage, grammar, punctuation and mathematics.
9. Ability to read and understand written and oral instructions or communication.
10. Must be enthusiastic and energetic in performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
11. Represent the College in a positive manner to employees, students, visitors, and the general public.

Special Demands:

Sedentary to light work. Position involves sitting most of the time; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally (10-33%). Pushing, pulling carrying and repetitive motion occasionally (10-33%). Walking, lifting and grasping frequently (34-66%). Talking, hearing, and viewing various types of close visual work (67-100%). Required to travel utilizing personal vehicle.

Employment with Iowa Lakes Community College is dependent upon successful passage of a criminal background check. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Iowa Lakes Community College participates in the federal E-Verify program. We will verify your employment eligibility in the United States as required by law.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions, job duties/responsibilities, and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree preferred in a student services or business field. Three years' experience in an educational institution as a financial aid director, assistant director or related area desired. Financial/accounting background desired. Knowledge of financial aid application process, need analysis and award processing desired. Ability to access information from a computer system and willingness to travel are essential. Must possess excellent people skills.

Salary: $72,700

Fringe Benefits: Paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays. Employee health, dental, and vision insurance. Partially funded family insurance available. Employee life and disability insurance. Employee retirement plan.

Application Process:

The following items must be included in your application packet before it will be considered a complete application:

• Employment Application form
• Applicant Confidential Information form (This data is used to comply with government required affirmative action record keeping only and is not used for applicant screening purposes.)
• A letter addressing your qualifications for the position
• A resume
• A copy of transcripts, with originals due upon hiring

Only complete application packets will be considered for the position vacancy.

Position open until filled. Review of applications will begin May 4, 2026. View complete job description and application process at www.iowalakes.edu/employment. Contact Lynn Miller at lmmiller@iowalakes.edu or 712-362-0409. Iowa Lakes Community College, Human Resources, 19 South 7th Street, Estherville, IA 51334.