Associate Director, Financial Aid at InsideHigherEd

Associate Director, Financial Aid

Student Success/Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services and the office Financial Aid is seeking an Associate Director to join the already awesome team taking the Financial Aid Department to the next level of excellence! We approach our work with the passion to be excellent, to positively impact the University on all levels, and to find innovative ways to ensure that we uphold the mission of the University.  These are exciting times at GSU. We are growing and we are thrilled that you are interested in being a part of our team. We are surrounded by individuals empowered to use their expertise and talents to achieve our mission to identify, cultivate, and steward our students.

The Associate Director of Financial Aid for Compliance and Technology serve as a customer service–oriented professional responsible for assisting in the administration of institutional, state, and federal grant and student loan programs in accordance with all regulatory guidelines. This position provides leadership for day-to-day operations of the Office of Student Financial Aid, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and the effective use of technology to support accurate and timely delivery of aid to students.

WHAT MAKES Student Financial Services A GREAT PLACE?

·       Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.

·       A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with a variety of partners.

·       Professional development opportunity and mentorship

·       A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

·       Provides leadership, direction, and supervision for the development of a comprehensive, student-centered, and proactive service culture that enhances support for students, families, and university partners.

·       Assists with the development of long- and short-range goals aligned with institutional priorities and strategic outcomes.

·       Ensures performance coaching and employee development programs are active, beneficial, and promote continuous improvement.

Compliance Management

·       Oversees all compliance activities to ensure the Office of Student Financial Aid adheres to federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.

·       Monitors regulatory changes and provides recommendations for implementation to maintain institutional eligibility and compliance with Title IV programs.

·       Coordinates internal and external audits and manages responses to findings to ensure corrective actions are implemented.

·       Develops and maintains auditable records of aid awards, adjustments, appeals, and documentation in accordance with federal and state regulations.

·       Provides compliance-related training for staff to ensure consistent understanding and application of policies and regulations.

Technology & Systems Administration

·       Provides oversight for financial aid technology systems, including Banner, institutional portals, and federal and state interfaces.

·       Collaborates with Information Technology and other departments to enhance automation, ensure data integrity, and streamline processes.

·       Reviews and recommends updates to electronic processing rules, workflows, and procedures to improve operational efficiency and compliance.

·       Leads testing and implementation of annual system updates, new releases, and integrations related to financial aid processing.

·       Utilizes data analytics and reporting tools to monitor program performance and support data-driven decision-making.

Program Administration & Operations

·       Administers Title IV, State, and Institutional Aid programs to optimize funding available to students.

·       Allocates funding within the Banner system to ensure optimal packaging of financial aid.

·       Oversees monthly reconciliation to ensure university student information systems data aligns with external funding systems.

·       Coordinates the annual review and preparation for aid delivery for the upcoming aid year.

·       Delivers optimum service to internal and external customers, providing necessary training and updates to ensure accurate communication.

Minimum Hiring Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field and four years of supervisory/management experience or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications: 

·       Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, including experience with compliance and technology management.

·       Comprehensive knowledge of Title IV regulations and higher education financial aid systems (e.g., Banner, COD, NSLDS).

·       Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

·       Demonstrated ability to implement technology solutions that enhance compliance and operational efficiency.

Previous work experience in a higher education financial aid office. Extensive understanding of the Banner database management systems is highly desirable. Demonstrated leadership ability and a record of team building in cross functional units, problem solving, and integrity in financial aid management. Excellent written and oral communication skills.