Assistant Director and Financial Aid Compliance Counselor

General Statement of Job

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance & Student Experience plays a key leadership role in delivering high-quality student-centered financial aid services. This position combines advanced financial aid counseling compliance expertise and front-line leadership to ensure accurate awarding regulatory adherence and a positive student experience.

The Assistant Director advises students and families on complex financial aid matters resolves escalated cases oversees front-facing service delivery and supports strategic planning and change management within the Financial Aid Office to meet evolving regulatory and student needs.

Responsibilities

Student & Family Service

• Provide advanced counseling to prospective new and continuing students on financial aid programs application requirements academic progress degree requirements deadlines and processing timelines.
• Respond professionally and effectively to sensitive complex or escalated inquiries ensuring equitable student-centered and compliant resolutions.
• Provide clear explanations of financial aid awards enrollment changes withdrawals billing impacts and next steps.

Financial Aid Counseling Awarding & Case Resolution

• Oversee and perform advanced review of financial aid awarding and packaging for undergraduate and graduate students ensuring accuracy equity and compliance with federal state and institutional programs.
• Review revise and approve student financial aid packages to prevent over awards and respond to changes in enrollment eligibility or additional resources.
• Advise students on the financial aid impact of changes to plans of study including course variances consortium agreements study abroad participation and alternative loan options.
• Determine eligibility for special consideration through professional judgment and override situations; explain documentation and regulatory requirements and coordinate internal review processes as needed.

Verification SAP & Eligibility Oversight

• Oversee verification processes including review of FAFSA data tax documentation academic records and eligibility criteria ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Review and resolve complex Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) cases including maximum timeframe unusual enrollment history and appeal determinations.
• Counsel students regarding academic progress and its effect on current and future financial aid eligibility including proactive outreach to students at risk of losing aid.

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Withdrawals & Exit Counseling

• Coordinate and oversee the Return of Title IV (R2T4) process from student withdrawal through calculation return of funds post-withdrawal disbursements and required notifications.
• Ensure accurate and timely return of federal funds in compliance with regulatory deadlines in coordination with the Bursars Office.
• Maintain communication with students owing R2T4 balances and counsel them on repayment options and consequences.

Regulatory Knowledge Quality Assurance & Audit Support

• Maintain proactive awareness of upcoming federal and state financial aid regulations and legislative changes and communicate relevant updates to students families and staff to ensure understanding preparedness and compliance.

• Translate regulatory requirements into clear student-friendly explanations and consistent office practices.
• Participate in the annual financial aid audit and related reviews including documentation preparation auditor responses and implementation of recommendations related to student services.
• Ensure complete and accurate records are maintained to support internal controls audits and external reporting.

Supervision & Front-Line Leadership

• Supervise train and mentor Financial Aid staff engaged in student-facing services providing guidance on customer service standards regulatory compliance and effective communication.
• Develop coordinate and encourage participation in ongoing training and professional development opportunities including internal training conferences webinars and regulatory updates.
• Support staff development related to counseling techniques regulatory application conflict resolution and adaptability in a changing environment.
• Assist in coordinating service coverage and workflow during peak processing periods and provide direct service support as needed.

Collaboration Strategic Planning & Change Management

• Collaborate with Admissions the Registrar the Bursars Office and other campus partners to ensure coordinated compliant delivery of financial aid services.
• Contribute to strategic planning policy development and continuous improvement initiatives within the Financial Aid Office.
• Support implementation of new regulations procedures and service models helping staff adapt to operational and regulatory change.
• Assist with the development and review of financial aid publications forms web content and outreach materials.
• Participate in outreach activities such as orientations financial aid nights and community presentations.

Administrative & Leadership Support

• Serve as acting Director of Financial Aid in the Directors absence as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education Experience and Licenses

• Bachelors degree in higher education administration finance or a related field required; Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of 35 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations including Title IV requirements.
• Experience providing advanced financial aid counseling and resolving complex compliance-related cases.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to interpret apply and explain complex financial aid regulations in a student-centered environment.
• Excellent verbal written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to lead and support staff through regulatory operational and procedural change.
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven compliance-focused environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality professionalism and FERPA compliance.
• Demonstrated adaptability initiative and commitment to continuous improvement.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear including the use of the telephone. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to finger handle or feel including the use of a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and stoop kneel or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.