Assistant Director-Financial Aid

Excelsior•Albany, NY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Excelsior University is seeking an Assistant Director of Financial Aid for its Office of Student Financial Services. This role supports the leadership team with daily departmental operations and oversees the execution of at least one Title IV program, ensuring policies and procedures align with current federal regulations and are effective and student-centered. The position is responsible for student packaging, repackaging, and counseling, while maintaining knowledge of regulations governing the administration of Title IV funds. It also contributes to other aspects of the Financial Aid Office and to the development and administration of student financial services. The position is primarily based in Albany, New York, with a hybrid schedule of two office days and the option to work from home on other days. Remote work may also be considered. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, with a one-hour lunch, for a 37.5-hour workweek. The University supplies equipment needed to perform the job, such as a laptop and docking station. Employees must have a workspace suitable for virtual meetings without multiple interruptions or excessive noise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 2 years of experience in financial aid or related student service administration.
Experience with student financial aid regulations and financial aid software.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the PowerFAIDS financial aid management system.
Interest in promoting distance-learning higher education to a diverse adult student population.

Responsibilities

Administer one or more university Title IV programs, including awarding, verification, and assistance with reconciliation in collaboration with other university units and Common Origination and Disbursement (COD).
Ensure compliance with federal Title IV regulations and develop and maintain related policies and procedures.
Collaborate with Associate Directors and the Director to prepare for and participate in the annual A-133 audit.
Stay current on regulatory changes, interpret and implement regulations for assigned programs, and communicate changes to stakeholders.
Create and maintain process flows for assigned programs.
Promote academic success, increase retention, reduce time to graduation, and improve students’ overall educational experience.
Provide customer service and resolve financial aid issues through telephone, email, virtual meetings, and written correspondence.
Serve as an information resource for incoming, transfer, and re-entering students, as well as internal staff.
Assist with developing, revising, and updating Title IV financial aid processes and creating or editing required forms and publications.
Participate in professional development.
Support the development and administration of student financial services.