Assistant Director, Financial Aid

JCCC • Overland Park, KS

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid supports JCCC mission by assisting the Director in the strategic leadership, regulatory oversight, and institutional accountability of Title IV financial aid programs. This role provides primary oversight of the Federal Pell Grant Program, Workforce Pell initiatives, and compliance responsibilities related to Gainful Employment (GE) and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) regulations. The incumbent helps safeguard institutional eligibility and minimize compliance risk by ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations, including oversight of Pell eligibility, reconciliation, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness. This position collaborates with campus partners to support Workforce Development and eligible academic programs while ensuring alignment with federal accountability standards. This position will supervise the compliance team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible financial aid experience, including Federal Pell Grant administration and demonstrated experience supporting institutional accountability and regulatory compliance functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Pell Grant regulations, including Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), Mandatory Recalculation Dates (MRR), reconciliation, clock-hour programs, Workforce Pell, and related Title IV reporting and accountability requirements.
• Experience contributing to audit readiness, program review preparation, policy development, internal controls, and institutional risk mitigation efforts.
• Experience working with non-traditional student populations, including Workforce and CTP students.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience serving in an acting or interim leadership role.
• Familiarity with state-level reporting requirements (e.g., KBOR).
• Strong data analysis and Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Financial Aid in the strategic leadership, daily operations, and administrative oversight of the Financial Aid Office, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff on complex student cases, compliance interpretation, operational challenges, and best practices to maintain program integrity and service excellence.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous evaluation of policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen institutional accountability, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal financial aid regulations, including Federal Pell, Workforce Pell initiatives, Gainful Employment (GE), and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) requirements, ensuring institutional readiness for regulatory changes.
• Collaborate with campus partners and represent the Financial Aid Office in cross-departmental initiatives, institutional accountability efforts, audits, program reviews, and compliance-related activities.
• Assist with strategic initiatives, special projects, and operational improvements as assigned by the Director or executive leadership.
• Serve as Acting Director of Financial Aid during periods of absence or vacancy, assuming leadership responsibility and decision-making authority to ensure continuity of operations and regulatory compliance.
• Supervise Compliance team including Sr. Compliance Coordinator and Fraud Prevention Specialist.
• Oversee and administer the Federal Pell Grant Program, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Manage Pell Grant reconciliation, ensuring alignment between institutional systems and COD.
• Review and resolve Pell errors and rejects, including timely corrections and documentation.
• Monitor and manage Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) and resolve over-eligibility issues.
• Review and resolve Multiple Reporting Records (MRR).
• Process and oversee Pell restorations related to loan forgiveness, discharge, or reinstated eligibility.
• Translate and convert clock-hour enrollment to credit-hour equivalencies for Pell awarding.
• Identify, resolve, and document Pell over awards.
• Administer Pell eligibility for Workforce Development programs, including short-term and non-traditional academic pathways.
• Support Pell awarding for Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) students.
• Collaborate with academic departments to ensure accurate enrollment reporting and program eligibility.
• Coordinate with Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) or other applicable state agencies to ensure compliance and reporting accuracy.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Workforce Pell and evolving federal guidance.
• Work directly with students to resolve complex Pell eligibility and compliance issues.
• Provide guidance and training to staff on Pell regulations, Workforce Pell, clock-hour conversions, and compliance requirements.
• Support audit preparation, program reviews, and internal compliance assessments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance with some employer paid options.
• Life insurance & AD&D (employer provided)
• Retirement plans (403(b), 457(b), and KPERS)
• Employer paid 8% contribution into a 403(b) no match required
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, personal, and floating holidays)
• 14 days of paid holidays
• Full tuition reduction for JCCC credit courses (for employee and eligible dependents)
• Tuition reimbursement / assistance for non‑JCCC courses for employee
• Free access to the Gym on campus for all employees and dependents
• Discount to the Hiersteiner Child Development Center

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager