Director of Financial Aid

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences•Yakima, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all financial aid programs and services. Directs the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of financial aid operations. Serves as the institutional authority on financial aid compliance, data governance, and policy development. Oversees staff, systems, and process to ensures effective delivery of aid and federal (Title IV) program compliance. Partners with enrollment leadership to develop financial aid strategies that support recruitment, retention, and student success goals.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree AND 7-9 years of progressively responsible financial aid or bursar experience and supervisory or leadership experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree and experience with health sciences or graduate/professional programs.

Responsibilities

Leads and supervises high-volume, deadline-driven financial aid office; including staff supervision, performance management, hiring, and training.
Oversees day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and assessment of financial aid activities to align with the PNWU mission, and strategic plan.
Collaborates with enrollment management leadership and advises other units and stakeholders to ensure compliance and strategic enrollment support.
Ensures institutional compliance and administration of federal (Title IV) regulation, state regulation, accreditation requirements, and institutional policies and procedures with regard to financial aid activities.
Interprets regulatory guidance, develops policies and procedures.
Oversee the accurate and timely disbursement of financial aid funds.
Ensuring reconciliation between federal databases (COD, G5) and institutional systems.
Leads annual financial audit response with regard to student financial aid.
Provides oversight of financial aid software system; including system configuration, upgrades, testing, implementation of new functionality, documentation updates, and training of staff.
Serves as primary data custodian of the financial aid records and oversees data reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
Provides guidance on complex or escalated student cases and manages communication strategies.
Communicates regulations, eligibility, and funding options clearly and effectively.
Serves as the primary School Certifying Official (SCO) and liaison with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
Identifies opportunities to improve aid sources, monitors regulatory changes, and uses best practices to improve aid eligibility and options.
Performs other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.