Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Graduate Programs (HR Title: Manager, Financial Aid)

Southern Methodist University

Dallas (TX)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 130,000

Full time

14 days+

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits

Retirement programs

Job summary

Southern Methodist University seeks an on-campus Assistant Director of Financial Aid responsible for managing graduate and professional aid for 5000+ students. You will determine eligibility, offer aid, and ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional policies, serving as the liaison between graduate departments and Enrollment Services.

Responsibilities include advising students, coordinating with faculty on program development, maintaining data quality, and supervising two advisors

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
Minimum 3 years of experience in university financial aid.
Experience with financial aid policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

Create and package financial aid offers and determine eligibility.
Assist students with the financial aid process via in-person, email, phone, and virtual meetings.
Coordinate with faculty, Deans, and departments on aid programs and program development.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
Supervise two full-time advisors and lead graduate aid efforts.
Attend DES meetings and stay current with regulatory changes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Time management

Customer service oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office

Teams

Zoom

Job description

About SMU

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Under the general supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director will manage and direct Financial Aid related activities for the Graduate student population for the graduate/professional programs at SMU. This includes determining individual student eligibility, offering aid, and monitoring student compliance with Federal, State and Institutional financial aid policies and regulations for 5000+ students. This position serves as the primary liaison between the graduate academic departments and the Division of Enrollment Services and works closely with each academic department on issues such as development of new programs, academic program structure, student recruiting activities prior to admission and post-graduation loan and repayment advising.

Essential Functions

Create financial aid offers - FAFSA review and evaluation, resolution of data conflicts, determine eligibility and packaging of various aid programs using automated and manual strategies. Assessment of continuing student eligibility. Responsible for maintaining compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional policies. Development of process improvements for Grad FA.
Assist potential, current, and post-grad students with the financial aid process through one on one consultation, email and telephone contact, zoom calls, recruiting visits, presentations, and various speaking engagements. This also includes assisting the SMU Mane Desk during peak periods, both at the counter and on phones, and supporting the Undergraduate student population when needed.
Consult with SMU faculty and Deans within each of the schools on special needs students, departmental training on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and how each is impacted when combined with dept funds, student withdrawals, and new academic program development. Be responsive with requests from campus partners.
Manage data for website content, ensure compliance review, assess quality controls, perform Professional Judgments, evaluate satisfactory academic progress, address special needs requests, develop GR budgets, consult on GR academic structure and student progression for financial aid applicability. Collaborate with DES and other key stakeholders.
Serve on financial aid advising leadership team and perform special assignments as needed. Supervise and lead two full-time advisors, maintaining responsibility for all graduate and professional aid in coordination with the Director of Financial Aid Services. Uphold excellent customer service for students. Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest regulations as they pertain to financial aid, and interpret federal, state and institutional guidelines as needed.
Other duties as assigned. Support DES leadership as needed. Attend and demonstrate leadership at all SFS and DES meetings and trainings.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Is Required. Master's Is Preferred.

A minimum of 3 years of experience is required.

Experience in a university setting, with financial aid services, disbursement and awarding of financial aid, and familiarity with policy regulations is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication and conflict resolution skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

The candidate must have a high level of understanding of academic policies such as academic program structure, academic progress, withdrawals, and doctoral programs and how each of these relates to financial aid eligibility as well as a thorough understanding of federal and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.

The candidate must exhibit qualities such as tact, diplomacy, friendliness, adaptability, approachability, and an eagerness to serve students and families.

Knowledge of systems such as PeopleSoft, Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom, etc. is preferred.

The candidate must be available to work some evenings and weekends for community engagements and some travel for conferences and professional development.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply

Applications received by November 4, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

Deadline to apply is November 18, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location

USA-TX-Dallas

Job

Administrative Managers & Professionals

Schedule

Regular

Shift

Staff

Employee Status

Manager with Direct Reports

Job Type

Full-time