Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid – Enrollment Management

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a student-centered and detail-oriented Assistant Director of Financial Aid to join our dynamic team. This critical role focuses directly on the review of student applications, both FAFSA and CSS Profile, ensuring accurate and compliant delivery of financial aid funds to our diverse student body. Operating in a fast-paced environment with significant ongoing regulatory shifts, the Assistant Director will manage critical processing streams and serve as a vital resource for complex student cases. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will contribute to the department by maintaining the group’s service-oriented focus by providing clear and concise responses to inquiries from students, staff, academic departments, and external service providers. You will also oversee critical daily processes and prepare routine status reports to management, as well as participate in process changes to ensure timely awarding and disbursement of financial aid.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, higher education administration, or related field required.
Strong attention to detail, strong analytical problem-solving skills, and the resilience to thrive in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to maintain composure.
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
Comfort navigating federal databases (COD, NSLDS, CPS/SAIG).
Solid understanding of Title IV federal regulations, verification procedures, and application methodologies.
Successful pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree highly desired.
Prior experience in a higher education setting preferred, with financial aid office experience a strong plus.
Demonstrated expertise in file review and verification is highly desirable.
Advanced proficiency using the PowerFAIDS management system is strongly preferred.
Application methodologies (FM/IM preferred).

Responsibilities

Manage the end-to-end processing and evaluation of federal and institutional financial aid applications.
Perform meticulous federal verification reviews in strict compliance with Department of Education regulations and university policies.
Evaluate and resolve complex special circumstances appeals using professional judgment and equity-driven frameworks.
Actively analyze data and collaborate with the team to identify, design, and implement better processes that remove administrative roadblocks for students.
Keep pace with changing Title IV regulations to ensure the highest standards of processing accuracy and federal compliance.
Work together with campus partners to create an easy, seamless experience for students, while understanding that some situations are more complex and require deep attention.