Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Providence College; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Providence College is seeking an experienced administrator to lead financial aid review, packaging, and compliance while coordinating marketing, outreach, and athletics program activities. This role serves as functional lead for two major program areas and requires strong cross-department collaboration.

You will oversee complex verification appeals, student communications, and multi-channel messaging, ensuring accessibility and regulatory compliance while supporting student success and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 3–5 years of financial aid experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and institutional aid regulations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Review financial aid files and professional judgments for federal and institutional programs.
• Oversee aid packaging, disbursement, and compliance with regulations.
• Direct office communications and manage website content and digital marketing.
• Coordinate athletic aid processes and audits, including NCAA compliance basics.

Skills

Financial aid advising

Communications management

Marketing campaigns

Budgeting and reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

WordPress

Dubot

Job description

Founded in 1917, Providence College (PC) is a premier Catholicliberal arts institution steadfastly committed to academicexcellence through a dynamic core curriculum, a distinctiveDevelopment of Western Civilization Program, and abundantexperiential learning opportunities. The only U.S. higher educationinstitution administered by the Dominican Friars, PC is committedto providing a variety of opportunities for intellectual, social,moral, and spiritual growth in a supportive environment. ProvidenceCollege believes that cultural and intellectual pluralism isessential to the excellence of its academic programs, and strivesto foster an academic culture and campus community reflecting theglobal environment in which we live and work.

The approximately 105-acre campus is situated in Rhode Island’scapital city and is close to the many cultural and educationalofferings of Rhode Island’s “renaissance city.” Additionally,Providence is located an hour from Boston and just a few hours fromNew York City.

For years, Providence College has been recognized in the U.S.News & World Report “Regional Universities – NorthCategory” and has been commended by several other rankingpublications.

Overview

In addition to core counseling and compliance responsibilities, serve as the functional lead for two major program areas, Marketing, Communications & Outreach, and Athletics Program Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conduct comprehensive review of financial aid files, including complex verification and professional judgment appeals for federal and institutional aid programs. Evaluate financial documentation, resolve conflicting information, and ensure adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulatory requirements. Oversee the packaging, revision, and finalization of financial aid awards across all aid programs. Coordinate closely with Student Accounts/Bursar to ensure accurate disbursement, reconciliation, adjustments, and compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies. Provide advanced, individualized advising to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, financing strategies, and aid processes, particularly in complex or high-impact situations. (40%)
2. Direct office-wide communications, overseeing the delivery of all outgoing messages to prevent information saturation and ensure a consistent tone and brand. Oversee the management of all website content and consumer information, establishing a system for regular updates to information, forms, and educational literature while maintaining WordPress and Dubot training and backups. Develop and execute digital marketing campaigns across social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), researching peer trends and emerging platforms to reach students and parents through their preferred electronic channels. Lead the design and preparation of all departmentalevents, webinars, presentations, and instructional materials, creating robust, accessible ways to share financial aid information for virtual, classroom, and other in-person spaces. Coordinate the delivery of aid messaging through diverse campus platforms—including Campus Communicator’s Virtual Advisor, Slate, Morning Mail, TV displays, and satellite locations—to ensure information reaches students both inside and outside the classroom. Serve as the primary liaison to the Parent Program, development monthly newsletter content that helps families navigate the financial aid process and determine affordability. Manage the creation of inclusive and accessible resources, including multi-language materials, and ensure all web content meets Section 504. (30%)
3. Direct the administration of approximately $13.6 million in athletic-based scholarships, serving as the primary liaison to the Bursar, Office of Admission, and the Athletics Compliance Officer for more than 200 student-athletes across 15 teams. Direct the Early Athletic Read process for 60+ recruits annually, overseeing communications via Slate and the [e-mail] inbox and performing manual financial aid calculations and document analysis outside of standard system packaging to support early aid estimates and offers. Partner with the Athletic Compliance Officer to oversee National Letter of Intent (NLI) administration and athletic award posting, verifying award levels by sport, capturing revisions resulting from billing adjustments, team separations, or withdrawals, and ensuring all signed agreements are properly imaged and awards are accurately confirmed in Banner prior to each packing cycle. Coordinate with the Bursar’s Office to ensure accuracy and billing integrity, proactively monitoring non-disbursed aid and maintain shared systems to support transparency and stakeholder access. Interpret NCAA regulations to ensure ongoing compliance, annually updating programmatic instructions, methodology tables, award/email templates, and annual office documentation, and providing training and guidance to peers. Lead data collection and documentation for the annual A-133 financial aid audit. (20%)
4. Lead annual planning with the card office to review and update program policies and the web nomination form, ensuring the process remains effective for the upcoming academic year. Manage the allocation of the “Meal Swipe Bank” determining distribution levels to support as many students as possible while staying within semester limits. Oversee the review of all web nominations submitted by students, faculty, or staff, ensuring that all requests are handled with strict confidentiality and within a 24–48-hour window. Evaluate eligibility for a diverse student population, including commuter and international students by verifying financial need and current meal plan status. Maintain professional communication standards for the program, providing approved students with clear, updated instructions on how to redeem swipes at Raymond Dining Hall. Coordinate with the card office and external partners to finalize meal uploads and manage the primary tracking system to ensure the program remains within its institutional budget. (5%)
5. Participate in and support outreach events, orientations, workshops, and enrollment-related programming in collaboration with campus partners. Provide training and cross-training to financial aid staff to support operational continuity, consistency of practice, and knowledge sharing across the office. Contribute to office-wide initiatives, operational planning, and process improvement efforts that enhance service delivery, efficiency, and compliance. Serve on institutional committees and working groups as assigned, representing the office and providing subject matter expertise. (5%)

MARGINAL DUTIES:

1. Perform all other duties as may be required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required.
• Three to five years’ experience in a financial aid environment or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Familiarity and ability to interpret Title IV legislation and “Dear Colleague Letters” to assist leadership in office compliance.
• Ability to maintain multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with other departments.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Some nights and weekends as well as travel required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of thosethat must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time
• Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard
• Communication skills using the spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal range
• Ability to move about

DISCLAIMER:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.