Director of Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid

Position Summary
The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic
leadership and oversight for the administration of a comprehensive financial aid program, including federal, state, and institutional
funding. The Director ensures full compliance with all regulatory requirements while advancing the College’s mission to improve student
access, retention, and completion. This role partners across the institution to deliver student-centered services, streamline processes, and
leverage financial aid as a key driver of enrollment and student success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership, Strategy, and Student Success

• Provides leadership in aligning financial aid operations with
  institutional priorities, including enrollment growth, retention, and completion initiatives such as guided pathways and student success
  programs.
• Serves as a key partner in cross-functional enrollment management efforts, contributing to recruitment, onboarding, and
  persistence strategies.
• Promotes a student-centered approach to financial aid delivery, ensuring equitable access and clear
  communication of aid options and responsibilities.

Compliance and Program Administration

• Maintains the institution’s Title IV Program Participation Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education and ensures ongoing
  compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Oversees the administration of all financial aid programs,
  including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.
• Submits new academic programs for financial aid eligibility and ensures
  proper implementation in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Prepares for and leads responses to audits, program reviews, and
  compliance reporting requirements.

Operations and Systems Management

• Directs the development,
  implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance, efficiency, and service
  excellence.
• Oversees financial aid systems, including need analysis, fund management, document tracking, and reporting; ensures
  accurate configuration and optimization of technology solutions.
• Leads process improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery,
  reduce barriers for students, and increase operational efficiency.

Financial Oversight

• Manages
  the financial aid office budget and monitors all aid fund accounts to ensure appropriate allocation and utilization of resources.
• Monitors fund balances and student awards to maximize available funding while preventing over-awards and ensuring regulatory
  compliance.
• Collaborates with institutional partners to align financial aid awarding strategies with enrollment and retention
  goals.

Student Advisement and Support

• Provides guidance and oversight for financial aid
  advisement to students and families, ensuring accurate, timely, and accessible information.
• Monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress
  (SAP) evaluation processes and appeals, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.
• Ensures compliance with Return of
  Title IV (R2T4) regulations, including monitoring enrollment changes, calculating aid adjustments, and coordinating notifications.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Works closely with Admissions, Advising, Student Accounts, and other
  departments to support a seamless student experience.
• Collaborates with the College Foundation Office to administer scholarship
  programs and align institutional aid strategies.
• Engages with high school counselors, community organizations, and external
  partners to support college access and financial literacy efforts.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates financial aid staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous
  improvement.
• Establishes clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations; ensures cross-training and professional development
  opportunities.

Professional Engagement

• Maintains current knowledge of financial aid regulations
  and best practices through participation in professional organizations, training, and conferences.
• Communicates regulatory changes
  and policy updates to campus stakeholders as appropriate.

Other Duties

• Performs other related
  duties as assigned in support of institutional goals.
• Occasional weeknights and weekend events

Minimum
Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, accounting, liberal arts, or related field
• Five or more years of financial aid experience, or combination of education and experience commensurate with the requirements of this
  position

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting, business, student affairs or
  public administration.
• Three or more years of work experience in providing supervision or leadership to a financial aid department
  or related department in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience with student information systems and enrollment
  technology platforms, with preference for experience using Ellucian Banner and CRM platforms such as SLATE for financial aid processing,
  student communication, workflow automation, and reporting.

Salary Range

The anticipated hiring range
for this position is $75,000–$80,000 annually. Placement within this range will be based on the selected candidate’s
relevant experience, education, technical expertise, demonstrated leadership in financial aid administration, and consideration of internal
equity.

Application Information

For full consideration, applicants must submit the following: (1) cover
letter; (2) CV/resume; and (3) contact information for three professional references.

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Columbia-Greene Community College does not discriminate against any
employee, applicant for employment, student, intern, whether paid or unpaid, contractor, or applicant for admission based on an individual’s
race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identification, gender expression, sexual orientation,
self-identified or perceived sex, the status of being transgender, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics,
military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or any other category protected by law. The College
adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in public institutions of higher education.

The
College makes every reasonable effort to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for individuals with documented disabilities. If
you require reasonable accommodations for completing the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 518-697-6330.

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