Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services is a key member of Whitman College’s Financial Aid team, supporting the administration and delivery of institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs for incoming and returning students. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid Services, the Assistant Director works closely with students, families, and campus partners to ensure accurate aid processing, regulatory compliance, and high‑quality service. This position plays a critical role in managing and utilizing financial aid technology systems, serving as a liaison between the Financial Aid Office and multiple campus departments.

Requirements

• Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility, accuracy and attention to detail in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with common office and web‑based technologies, including Microsoft and Google productivity tools, databases, and customer relationship management (CRM) and student information systems (SIS).
• Ability to maintain positive and effective working relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies while managing competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to navigate complicated financial aid cases in alignment with institutional policies and enrollment goals
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, including the ability to articulate processes and ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to actively and positively contribute to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and access.
• Associate’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience in financial aid administration.
• OR a combination of relevant education, training and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with students and families by greeting visitors and responding to phone calls and emails. Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and professional approach in all student‑ and family‑facing interactions.
• Process and administer institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs for incoming and returning students.
• Perform federal verification, including requesting documentation and making required adjustments based on verified data.
• Remain current on all applicable state and federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance.
• Conduct FAFSA/CSS Profile file review for need analysis used to determine eligibility for institutional and federal financial aid.
• Package financial aid based on annual award charts, while conducting holistic reviews of individual student eligibility.
• Utilize and manage multiple financial aid and student information systems, including Colleague, PowerFAIDS, IDOC, and Slate, FSA Partner portal, NSLDS, and COD.
• Complete data uploads and processing related to fee waivers, award adjustments, private loan processing, and over‑award reporting.
• Prepare and review loan documentation, verify eligibility, and adjust student aid as needed.
• Serve as a primary liaison with campus partners that interact with Financial Aid Services, including Residence Life and the Career and Community Engagement Center.
• Provide operational back‑up to the Financial Aid Counselor on key office functions.
• Center diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism as guiding principles when approaching financial aid work.
• Contribute to additional initiatives as needed, adapting to evolving priorities and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.
• Basic life , accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements ar e met.
• 20 accrued vacation days , 12 accrued sick days , 13 paid holidays .
• Dependent Children Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree