Director of Financial Aid

PA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY•Media, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic leadership for the College’s Financial Aid Office and serves as the institution’s primary administrator responsible for Title IV compliance. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director oversees federal, state, institutional, and veteran educational assistance programs while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, Department of Education guidance, accreditation requirements, and institutional policies. The Director develops and maintains financial aid policies, procedures, and internal controls; monitors regulatory changes; oversees audits and program reviews; manages departmental operations and staff; and collaborates with campus partners to support student success and minimize institutional compliance risk. As a member of the College’s Operational Leadership Team, the Director works with the Vice President of Enrollment Management on strategic financial aid initiatives and operational improvements. The position supervises six Financial Aid staff members. The role is hybrid, with the on-campus schedule established with the Vice President based on departmental coverage, student service needs, and institutional priorities. Evening or weekend events may occasionally be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience administering financial aid programs.
Extensive knowledge of Title IV federal financial aid regulations, state financial aid programs, institutional aid, and financial aid administration.
Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid compliance, internal controls, audits, and regulatory reporting.
Demonstrated experience managing Title IV compliance, federal regulations, audits, and program reviews.
Ability to interpret complex federal regulations and apply them to institutional policies and procedures.
Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to build collaborative relationships across departments.
Budget management and fiscal oversight experience.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and regulatory deadlines.
Commitment to continuous process improvement and operational efficiency.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; ability to sit or stand for extended periods and navigate several flights of stairs multiple times during the day.
Successful completion of required background clearances prior to hire, including PA Statewide Criminal Record search, PA Child Abuse History, and FBI Criminal History record fingerprint search.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Higher Education, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
At least three years of supervisory or management experience.
Experience preparing for Department of Education Program Reviews, Single Audits, or similar regulatory reviews.
Prior experience with Anthology Student (formerly CampusNexus Student).
NASFAA credentials, FAAC designation, or other professional financial aid certifications.
Significant professional development in financial aid administration and compliance.

Responsibilities

Serve as the institution’s primary administrator responsible for Title IV compliance and maintain the Title IV Program Participation Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education.
Develop, implement, and maintain financial aid policies, procedures, internal controls, and departmental manuals to meet federal, state, institutional, and accreditation requirements.
Monitor regulatory changes, implement necessary operational changes, communicate compliance expectations across campus, and ensure accurate and timely regulatory reporting.
Lead preparation for Department of Education Program Reviews, Single Audits, Veterans Affairs audits, PHEAA audits, and other regulatory reviews; identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
Administer federal, state, institutional, and veteran educational assistance programs, including institutional and donor-funded scholarships, PHEAA state aid, Federal Work Study, FSEOG, and Veterans Affairs certifications.
Oversee scholarship eligibility, application and selection processes, awarding, posting, renewals, and fund monitoring in coordination with Advancement and the scholarship committee.
Monitor financial aid allocations, fund utilization, scholarship expenditures, and applicable funding restrictions.
Oversee Satisfactory Academic Progress administration and appeals, accurate financial aid awarding and packaging, packaging deadlines, outstanding student files, quality assurance reviews, and error resolution.
Maintain an assigned financial aid caseload and provide packaging, counseling, and operational support; advise students and families and resolve complex or escalated concerns.
Oversee Return to Title IV calculations and ensure regulatory deadlines are met.
Develop, review, and maintain the annual Cost of Attendance; collaborate with the Business Office on monthly and annual federal aid reconciliations.
Lead, supervise, mentor, and manage staff performance; establish departmental goals and expectations; coordinate professional development, onboarding, training, cross-training, and coverage plans.
Manage the department’s annual operating budget and monitor expenditures.
Evaluate processes and implement efficiencies through technology and automation; collaborate with campus departments to support enrollment, retention, and student success.
Work with the Vice President of Enrollment Management to develop, implement, and evaluate financial aid leveraging strategies that support recruitment, enrollment, retention, and net tuition revenue goals while maintaining compliance.
Participate in institutional planning and strategic initiatives as a member of the Operational Leadership Team; analyze trends, compliance metrics, audit findings, and departmental performance and recommend improvements.
Represent the College at professional organizations, conferences, and external meetings related to financial aid and compliance.
Maintain high customer service and operational standards; perform other duties as assigned.