As a key member of the financial aid and student financial services teams, the Associate Director will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student access, affordability, and success. This role is in the Enrollment Management division and offers the chance to contribute strategically to institutional goals while helping students and families navigate the college financing process.
Position Summary
The Director of Student Financial Aid and Services is seeking a student-centered and collaborative professional to serve as the Associate Director of Student Financial Aid and Services. The Associate Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for financial aid and student financial services programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Working with the Director and the team, this position plays a critical role in overseeing financial aid administration, student account services, system optimization, and staff supervision. The Associate Director works closely with students, families, staff, and external agencies to deliver exceptional service and effective financial support throughout the student lifecycle.
The successful candidate will be a knowledgeable financial aid professional with strong analytical, technical, and leadership skills who is committed to fostering a student-centered environment and advancing institutional enrollment and retention goals.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist the Director in the management of all Student Financial Aid and Services operations, including financial aid awarding, disbursement, billing, and customer service functions.
- Maintain expert knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations, including FAFSA, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Pennsylvania State Grant programs.
- Assist in preparing for audits, program reviews, and required federal and institutional reporting, including FISAP and IPEDS.
- Develop, maintain, and implement policies and procedures to ensure operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- Supervise and support departmental staff while promoting professional development and continuous improvement.
- Provide comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families regarding eligibility, application procedures, financing options, and financial planning.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes access and affordability for a diverse student population.
Systems and Operational Management
- Manage and optimize financial aid and student financial services processes within institutional student information systems.
- In collaboration with the Director, conduct annual setup, testing, and implementation of the Ellucian Colleague financial aid module.
- Serve as a functional lead and primary liaison to Information Technology regarding financial aid, student finance, and communication modules within Colleague.
- Collaborate with the Slate CRM Manager to support data integration and workflow between Slate and Colleague.
- Oversee system updates, testing, enhancements, and process improvements.
- Process federal Direct Loan documentation, originate loans, and resolve loan issues through the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
- Process private education loans and coordinate required documentation for external funding programs.
- Assist with financial aid disbursement processes and review student credit balance refunds for accuracy.
- Coordinate Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations for students who withdraw and communicate resulting in aid adjustments and post-withdrawal disbursement eligibility.
Competencies
- Financial Aid & Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, regulations, and compliance requirements, with the ability to interpret and apply complex federal, state, and institutional policies.
- Student-Centered Service: Demonstrated commitment to providing responsive, accurate, and supportive service to students and families while helping them navigate financial aid, student accounts, and college financing.
- Leadership & Staff Development: Ability to supervise, support, and develop staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
- Systems & Technical Proficiency: Strong ability to utilize and optimize financial aid and student information systems, including system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, and process improvement.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze complex financial aid and student account issues, identify discrepancies, evaluate available information, and develop appropriate solutions.
- Communication: Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex financial aid regulations and financial information to students, families, and campus partners.
- Organization & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive processes while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and meeting regulatory and institutional deadlines.
- Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships across Enrollment Management, Information Technology, Finance, and other College departments, as well as with external agencies and partners.
- Confidentiality & Judgment: Ability to appropriately handle confidential student and financial information and exercise sound professional judgment.
- Adaptability & Continuous Improvement: Ability to respond effectively to regulatory, technological, and institutional changes and identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and student service.
Position Type & Expected Hours of Work
- Full-time, 12-month position.
- Regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday during established College business hours.
- Some evening and weekend hours may be required during peak enrollment periods, College events, or to meet departmental and institutional needs.
- Additional hours or schedule flexibility may occasionally be required to meet regulatory deadlines, financial aid processing cycles, system implementations, or other time-sensitive responsibilities.
- This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the ability to maintain flexibility based on operational and student needs.
Education & Experience
Required:
- Bachelor's degree required; degree in higher education, business, accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid, student financial services, or a related area; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
- Strong knowledge of federal Title IV regulations and financial aid administration.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex federal and state financial aid regulations.
- Experience with financial aid awarding, disbursement, loan processing, regulatory compliance, and related student financial aid functions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Demonstrated commitment to effectively serving a diverse student population.
Preferred:
- Experience administering Pennsylvania State Grant programs.
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague or a comparable student information and financial aid management system.
- Intermediate or advanced Excel skills, including experience with reporting and data analysis.
- Experience with financial aid system configuration, annual setup, testing, or implementation.
- Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
- Experience preparing for financial aid audits, program reviews, or federal and institutional reporting.
At Wilson College, we value our employees and are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Full-time, on-site employees enjoy:
Robust Health Benefits: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus college-paid basic life and long-term disability insurance.
Spending Account Options: Access to employee-funded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for both healthcare and dependent care needs.
Retirement Planning: A Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with TIAA to help you plan for the future.
Educational Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families for undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, as well as access to Tuition Exchange scholarships through a national consortium of colleges.
Wilson fosters a supportive, collegial work environment that prioritizes work-life balance. Employees benefit from:
As a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer, Wilson College employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.