Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Elgin Community College•Elgin, IL

10d•$73,141 - $97,522

About The Position

Elgin Community College serves over 9,000 students at every stage of their educational journeys, including university transfer programs, career and technical education, continuing education classes, and adult basic education. As a community, we pride ourselves on nurturing a welcoming campus where every person—students, staff members, faculty members, and campus visitors—feels valued. The work of each ECC employee is central to the college’s mission, and as an employer, the college fosters a positive environment through professional challenges, excellent benefits, and opportunities for recognition and camaraderie. The Financial Aid Director is responsible for managing and overseeing all federal, state, institutional, and private student financial aid programs, including scholarships, grants, student employment, loan programs, sponsorships, and veterans’ benefits. This role ensures students have access to financial resources to support their education at ECC. The position serves as the designated administratively capable individual for administering all Title IV programs and non-federal student financial assistance programs in compliance with U.S. Department of Education regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
Five years of financial aid experience with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
Three years of supervisory experience.
Considerable knowledge of Federal and State financial aid regulations.
Excellent customer service and communication skills; ability to foster fiscal responsibility and ensure compliance with peers, auditors, faculty, and staff.
Considerable skill in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word, Excel, Access and Publisher
Considerable skill in organizing work to meet established deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
Working skill in interpersonal interaction to be applied to a variety of individuals with differing education, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends when required by the department’s needs.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
Experience at a Community College.

Responsibilities

Interpret and implement federal and state laws, regulations, and compliance requirements governing financial aid programs; maintain institutional policies and recommend actions as needed.
Ensure compliance by updating departmental policies and procedures, providing staff training, and monitoring adherence to federal, state, and institutional standards.
Manage day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, including scheduling and coverage for office hours and events.
Oversee completion and submission of required federal and state reports (e.g., FISAP, IPEDS, audits) and ensure accreditation compliance for eligible programs.
Supervise and evaluate staff performance, including hiring, training, professional development, and disciplinary actions.
Represent the college during financial aid audits; prepare responses, corrective action plans, and required documentation.
Serve as liaison with administrators and staff to communicate and clarify financial aid data and processes.
Coordinate workshops and presentations to educate students and the public about financial aid programs.
Lead and manage the College’s Financial Literacy program.
Administer and monitor the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, including appeals and policy updates.
Collaborate with Student Accounts to reconcile all financial aid programs as required.
Maintain and oversee financial aid systems and annual setup; manage additional software mandated by federal and state agencies.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned which pertain to the job description.