Associate/Assistant Director of Financial Aid

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield University is seeking an Associate/Assistant Director of Financial Aid to lead and continuously improve financial aid operations, ensure compliance, and advance access and student success in alignment with our Jesuit mission. The role partners with the team to implement strategy, oversee core processes, and support equitable delivery of aid.

You will advise students and families, manage staff, and contribute to policy development, reporting, and cross-department collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Experience with financial aid systems and data management.
• Demonstrated experience managing and overseeing members of the financial aid team.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic planning, policy development, and operational effectiveness as a member of the financial aid team.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Prepare financial aid appeals for review and serve on the appeals committee.
• Manage an assigned student caseload and perform file review, verification and academic progress evaluations.
• Process financial aid awards, adjustments, verification, overawards and appeals.
• Monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education, NASFAA, and other professional organizations.
• Counsel students, parents, and other related parties regarding financial aid programs, eligibility, application procedures and award processing.
• Collaborate with Bursar, Registrar, Enrollment and other campus partners on assigned projects.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Workday

NSLDS/COD systems

Job description

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuituniversity with a 200-acre campus located along the scenicshoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprisedof approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate studentspursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts andSciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School ofEngineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and HealthStudies, and School of Education and Human Development. As anexpression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfieldembraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouragingcritical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fosteringethical and religious values.

Job Description:

The Associate/Assistant Director of Financial Aid is a key memberof Fairfield University’s Financial Aid leadership team, supportingthe administration, compliance, and continuous improvement offinancial aid operations. In alignment with the University’sJesuit, Catholic mission and commitment to cura personalis, thisrole advances access, affordability, and student success throughethical, student-centered service. The Associate/Assistant Directorpartners with various members of the team to implement strategy,oversee core processes, and enhance systems that support efficientand equitable delivery of financial aid.

Job Responsibilities

• Support strategic planning, policy development, and operationaleffectiveness as a member of the financial aid team.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutionalfinancial aid regulations and policies.
• Prepare financial aid appeals for review and serve on theappeals committee.
• Manage an assigned student caseload and perform file review,verification and academic progress evaluations as needed and inaccordance with all applicable policies.
• Process financial aid awards, adjustments, verification, overawards and appeals.
• Monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education, NASFAA,and other professional organizations.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven workenvironment.
• Counsel students, parents, and other related parties regardingfinancial aid programs, eligibility, application procedures andaward processing.
• Review documentation for accuracy and consistency.
• Communicate with students and families.
• Collaborate with Bursar, Registrar, Enrollment and other campuspartners on assigned projects.
• Use PowerFAIDS and Workday and related systems to administeraid, track records and support compliance.
• Support recruitment, open house, guidance counselor and specialevents, and deliver financial aid and financial literacypresentations on and off campus as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and otherapplicable policies.
• Assists in the administration of the Federal Work-Study (FWS)program, including annual setup, awarding, and ongoing review ofstudent eligibility and fund utilization to ensure compliance withfederal regulations and institutional policies.
• Reviews weekly FWS payroll activity, including payroll loadsand student earnings; troubleshoots payroll issues and tracks FWSearnings maximums, providing timely notifications to students andsupervisors as needed.
• Compiles and verifies FWS program data for internal reportingand required federal submissions, including COD and the FISAP,ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
• Maintains current FWS program documentation, guides, and onlinecontent, and communicates routine program updates and reminders tostudents and supervisors throughout the year.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience infinancial aid administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and institutionalfinancial aid regulations.
• Experience with financial aid systems and datamanagement.
• Demonstrated experience managing and overseeing members of thefinancial aid team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education andexperience.
• Experience with PowerFAIDS, Workday Student, or similarsystems.
• Experience with Federal Student Aid Systems such as NSLDS, COD,etc.
• Experience supervising staff or leadingprojects/initiatives.
• Experience in a mission-driven, Jesuit, Catholic, or similarlyvalues-based institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to Fairfield University’s Jesuit, Catholic missionand values, including cura personalis.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and team developmentskills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with theability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention todetail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced,service-oriented environment.
• Commitment to ethical practice, equity, and student-centeredservice.

Work Environment / Conditions

• Regular access to confidential student financial and academicrecords.
• Evening and weekend hours may be required during peakprocessing periods.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Category:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level ofwork performed by employees within this classification. It is notdesigned to contain and should not be interpreted as acomprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities,activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employeesassigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities maychange and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or withoutnotice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactorybackground check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to allemployees and applicants for employment and prohibitsdiscrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status,genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, or any other characteristic protected byfederal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms andconditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves ofabsence, compensation and training.