Director, Student Financial Aid

Washburn University•Topeka, KS

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Student Financial Aid provides strategic leadership and oversight for the administration of student financial aid and scholarships at Washburn University, including the School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology. The position ensures the effective, compliant, equitable, and student-centered delivery of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs. It collaborates with academic and administrative partners to advance student access, affordability, enrollment, retention, and completion. The Director leads financial aid policy development, regulatory compliance, scholarship administration, financial literacy initiatives, technology utilization, assessment, and continuous improvement. The role develops and manages staff, supports a high-performing team committed to exceptional student service, and oversees office budgets and expenditures. The position is exempt and full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a background check is required. Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered public institution in Topeka, Kansas, with just over 7,000 students. The university employs more than 1,000 faculty and staff and describes its workplace as supportive, with competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a focus on work/life balance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Five years of progressively responsible experience directly in student financial aid administration at a college or university, including at least two years in a supervisory or management capacity.
Demonstrated customer service orientation and ability to explain complex financial aid information clearly to students, parents, and campus partners.
Strong analytical skills, including ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional regulations and use data to evaluate and improve operations.
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with students, parents, faculty, and staff and serve each fairly and consistently under the same policies.
Strong organization, time management, and event management skills, with ability to meet deadlines during peak aid cycles.
Demonstrated collaboration and supervisory skills, including leading and developing staff.
Working knowledge of Title IV federal student aid programs and regulations, including FAFSA processing, verification, Return of Title IV funds, and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Experience using an integrated campus-wide student information system and financial aid software.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and related privacy requirements.
Knowledge of budget development and fiscal management.
Applicants must not be in default or owe an overpayment in any Title IV Federal Financial Aid program in order to access U.S. Department of Education databases, including COD, NSLDS, and the FAFSA Partner Portal.
Ability to work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; position is exempt and full-time.
Background check required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education administration, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
Experience administering aid at a multi-institution or multi-campus organization, or at an institution with graduate or professional programs such as a law school, or technical education programs.
Experience with state grant programs, institutional and private scholarship management, and scholarship or financial aid software platforms.
Experience with budget development and management.
Demonstrated commitment to student financial literacy and a student-centered service philosophy.
Experience with Higher Learning Commission accreditation processes and learning or operational outcomes assessment.
Ability to communicate in Spanish, spoken and/or written, to serve Spanish-speaking students and families.
Experience with scholarship management software.
Experience in an office serving multiple institutions or campuses, including graduate or professional and technical programs.

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction for Student Financial Aid at Washburn, including the School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology campuses.
Lead the development and interpretation of student financial aid policy.
Oversee the full aid lifecycle, including application, awarding, and delivery of federal, state, private, and institutional aid.
Direct the Office of Student Scholarships.
Supervise and manage staff, including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and supporting professional growth.
Foster a professional, student-centered workplace culture focused on student success, teamwork, and collaboration.
Lead campus-wide efforts to improve students’ financial literacy.
Direct Title IV, State of Kansas, and institutional financial aid programs.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and rules.
Develop and maintain staff training on regulatory compliance and student-focused service.
Partner with departments to ensure timely processing and accurate completion of required federal and state reporting.
Oversee digital scholarship software platforms and maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.
Collaborate with the Washburn University Foundation to maximize the impact of private scholarship and loan funds.
Support Student Financial Aid’s role in communicating the affordability of a Washburn education.
Oversee proactive public outreach, including maintaining an engaging digital presence for the office.
Collaborate with Washburn departments to support on-time graduation.
Develop and lead an ongoing assessment program to maintain a high-performing office.
Maintain personal compliance with federal and state requirements by attending required meetings and training; ensure staff compliance through professional development.
Lead campus conversations and training on student financial aid best practices.
Serve on committees and participate in planning and development initiatives for the department, unit, and/or university.
Build and sustain collaborative working relationships with colleagues across departments.
Compile and project costs for future office initiatives; develop and submit budget requests; approve and monitor expenditures; and resolve budget issues during the fiscal year.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.