Assistant Director, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d • $65,000

About The Position

The University of Florida is looking for an Assistant Director to provide
leadership and operational oversight for complex federal processing,
compliance-driven programs, and student employment functions within the Office
for Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFA). In this role, you will oversee
regulatory compliance, manage staff and systems, and ensure accurate awarding
and administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs that
support student access.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Federal Processing, Compliance, Awarding Oversight

Oversee key financial aid compliance and processing functions, including
Satisfactory Academic Progress reviews (SAP), application verification,
special circumstance evaluations, cost‑of‑attendance determinations, federal
return processes (RTIV), and student employment.
Administer aid for UF/Santa Fe College Joint Programs and other special
programs.
Analyze complex applications, appeals, and petitions using federal, state,
and institutional regulations.
Ensure compliance across more than 150 federal, state, and institutional aid
programs.
Utilize and interpret data from agencies and systems including IRS, VA, DHS,
SSA, USCIS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, and ProEducation Solutions.

Leadership & Operational Management

Provide management and strategic direction for assigned functional areas:
Federal Processing, Special Programs, and Student Employment.
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time staff assigned to the areas.
Oversee systems, workflows, and business operations related to awarding,
eligibility, enrollment, and repayment.
Interpret policy and make complex decisions related to manual awarding and
regulatory exceptions.
Share administrative responsibility for all financial aid programs with the
Associate Director and act in their absence, as needed.

Campus Collaboration

Serve as a subject-matter expert for UF OneStop, International Center,
Contract & Grants, satellite offices, and academic program partners.
Provide guidance on SAP, application verification, RTIV, Federal Work-Study,
and special program requirements.
Collaborate across campus to resolve complex student aid and compliance
issues.

Other Duties

Travel in support of Enrollment Management recruitment and yield initiatives.
Deliver financial aid presentations to prospective students and families.
Participate in professional development workshops and conferences.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master's degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

• Strong holistic knowledge of federal aid programs and the interaction between those programs and institutional and state need- and merit-based aid
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including presenting to various audiences
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex operations or teams
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across units at all levels
• Strong knowledge and understanding of institutional goals and how financial aid administration decisions impact those goals
• Experience using and/or implementing various technologies (i.e. Campus Solutions, CRM, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Exel)
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team toward organizational objectives

Responsibilities

• Oversee key financial aid compliance and processing functions, including Satisfactory Academic Progress reviews (SAP), application verification, special circumstance evaluations, cost‑of‑attendance determinations, federal return processes (RTIV), and student employment.
• Administer aid for UF/Santa Fe College Joint Programs and other special programs.
• Analyze complex applications, appeals, and petitions using federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Ensure compliance across more than 150 federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Utilize and interpret data from agencies and systems including IRS, VA, DHS, SSA, USCIS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, and ProEducation Solutions.
• Provide management and strategic direction for assigned functional areas: Federal Processing, Special Programs, and Student Employment.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time staff assigned to the areas.
• Oversee systems, workflows, and business operations related to awarding, eligibility, enrollment, and repayment.
• Interpret policy and make complex decisions related to manual awarding and regulatory exceptions.
• Share administrative responsibility for all financial aid programs with the Associate Director and act in their absence, as needed.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for UF OneStop, International Center, Contract & Grants, satellite offices, and academic program partners.
• Provide guidance on SAP, application verification, RTIV, Federal Work-Study, and special program requirements.
• Collaborate across campus to resolve complex student aid and compliance issues.
• Travel in support of Enrollment Management recruitment and yield initiatives.
• Deliver financial aid presentations to prospective students and families.
• Participate in professional development workshops and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• State Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off (approximately 22 days of vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid holidays annually)
• Tuition Assistance (UF Employee Education Program)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees