Director of Financial Aid
About The Position
Palo Alto University (PAU) is seeking a strategic, highly knowledgeable, and student-centered Director of Financial Aid to lead the university's financial aid function. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director is responsible for the full financial aid lifecycle, including aid strategy, award modeling and packaging, disbursement, compliance, reporting, and student counseling across federal, state, institutional, and scholarship programs. This role requires a leader who understands financial aid as both a critical compliance function and a strategic tool for student access, enrollment, and institutional sustainability. The ideal candidate combines regulatory expertise, analytical thinking, strong operational leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping students navigate the financial dimensions of their education.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible financial aid experience, including experience with undergraduate and graduate student populations.
- Five or more years of supervisory or people-management experience.
- Expert knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, Title IV compliance, and financial aid administration.
- Demonstrated experience with financial aid leveraging, discount rate modeling, and net tuition revenue analysis.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, budget management, and project management skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial aid information clearly.
- Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
- Commitment to equity, belonging, student access, and student-centered service.
- Ability to work regularly and consistently on campus.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar, or comparable financial aid and student information systems.
- Experience in graduate and professional program financial aid, particularly within psychology, counseling, social work, behavioral science, or a related clinical field.
- Experience leading financial aid strategy during periods of institutional transformation or regulatory change.
- Active engagement with NASFAA or other relevant professional organizations and continuing education.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive financial aid strategy aligned with PAU's enrollment goals, access and equity commitments, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Partner with Enrollment Management, Finance, and Institutional Research on financial aid leveraging, discount rate analysis, and net tuition revenue projections.
- Design and oversee aid packaging approaches that support student access, enrollment goals, and responsible use of institutional resources.
- Oversee all aspects of financial aid administration, including applications, award packaging, disbursement, student communications, and scholarship administration.
- Ensure compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations, Title IV requirements, university policies, audit standards, and reporting obligations.
- Maintain effective policies, procedures, internal controls, documentation, and workflows that support accuracy, accountability, and audit readiness.
- Monitor regulatory changes and lead timely implementation of new requirements and professional best practices.
- Provide clear, accurate, and student-centered financial aid counseling on federal aid, institutional scholarships, private loans, employer sponsorship, and other financing options.
- Partner with Student Success and Admissions to reduce financial barriers, strengthen student communications, support retention, and integrate financial aid into recruitment and yield efforts.
- Lead the effective use of PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar, and related systems to improve accuracy, efficiency, reporting, forecasting, and data integrity.
- Develop standard operating procedures, training resources, and audit practices that support consistency, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- Lead, develop, and support a high-performing financial aid team through clear expectations, cross-training, professional development, accountability, and student-centered service.
- Collaborate across Enrollment Management, Finance, Advancement, Academic Affairs, and other university offices to improve processes and the student experience.
- Represent PAU with external agencies, professional organizations, and accreditation bodies as appropriate.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
