Associate Director of Financial Aid

University of Maine System•Farmington, ME

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is seeking an analytical, empathetic, and system-savvy Associate Director of Financial Aid to manage the daily operations of its financial aid ecosystem. This leadership position will play a crucial role in ensuring the accessibility and affordability of a high-quality liberal arts education by managing the technical aspects of financial aid processing, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and advocating for students navigating financial challenges. The role involves supervising staff, adjudicating appeals, and liaising with multi-campus partnerships.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree.
Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in student financial services, financial aid, student accounts, or student records (an equivalent mix of education and experience will be considered).
Proven, successful experience supervising professional staff.
Empathetic Customer Support & Teamwork: Collaborative work style and a deep commitment to student-centered service delivery.
Regulatory Mastery & Problem Solving: Sharp analytical mind and ability to interpret complex, shifting regulations to make sound, ethical decisions with meticulous attention to detail.
Flawless Planning & Organization: Strong organizational skills to effectively manage tight financial aid cycles.
Demonstrated Leadership: Ability to effectively lead, support, and supervise professional staff.
Dynamic Communication: Top-tier interpersonal, written, verbal, and customer service skills.
Tech-Forward Mindset: Highly proficient with PeopleSoft (MaineStreet), specialized financial aid databases, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace.
Adaptability & Total Discretion: Ability to pivot positively and effectively when structural or regulatory changes occur, and maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
Prior experience within a public higher education environment.

Responsibilities

Drive the technical engine of UMF’s financial aid ecosystem by mastering the daily flow of data, including downloading and importing daily FAFSA, Direct Loan, and Pell files into PeopleSoft (MaineStreet).
Lead the flawless packaging and timely delivery of Financial Aid Notifications.
Collaborate with the UMaine SFS Data team to optimize system setups, clear student checklists, and administer institutional initiatives like the Farmington Forward program.
Ensure absolute precision across all federal, state, and institutional aid channels as a regulatory guardian.
Oversee Federal Direct Loans, TEACH grants, alternative private loans, and Pell Grant reconciliations aligned with federal COD requirements.
Manage the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal process.
Take full ownership of high-stakes Return of Title IV (R2T4) withdrawal calculations.
Supervise, coach, and mentor financial aid professional staff.
Serve as the ultimate compass for families navigating complex financial hardships, utilizing federal authority to evaluate and adjudicate Professional Judgment (PJ) appeals.
Act as the primary liaison managing the multi-campus partnership outlined in the system Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).