Associate Director - Financial Aid

Saint Xavier University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Xavier University is seeking an Associate Director of Financial Aid to support daily operations and manage compliance with federal and state regulations. Responsibilities include supervising staff, processing financial aid, and maintaining financial aid software systems. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience in financial aid administration. Commitment to diversity is essential. The position offers a supportive environment for success in a Catholic institution inspired by the Sisters of Mercy.

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in financial aid administration or related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of integrated Financial Aid systems, Colleague experience preferred.
• Strong ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Financial Aid Specialist and student workers.
• Assist with training and development of staff members.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Colleague

Microsoft Office

Financial aid software

Job description

Summary

The Associate Director of Financial Aid supports the Director by managing daily operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations, and overseeing staff, counseling, and technical systems. Key responsibilities include processing financial aid, managing student files, performing professional judgment decisions, and supervising staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise Financial Aid Specialist and student workers.
• Assist with the training and development of all staff members.
• Assist with the administration, formulation and implementation of policies and procedures for efficient administration of federal, state and institutional aid programs.
• Ensure regulatory, policy and procedural compliance for Federal, State, private and SXU aid programs; maintain knowledge by attending and participating in workshops and conferences on and off campus.
• Assist in management of all financial aid software programs which include Colleague, Insights, Etrieve and other software programs.
• Assist in the annual setup and maintenance of Colleague's Financial Aid, Communication Management and Self-Service modules to ensure effective operations. Assists in the testing of new applications and modifying existing processes as needed.
• Performs data retrieval and generates reports for managing day-to-day operations of the Office of Financial Aid.
• Perform award packaging using knowledge of federal and institutional needs analysis.
• Provide information, advice, and counsel financial aid recipients and applicants using knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid policies and regulations.
• Evaluate student concerns and requests regarding financial aid eligibility and awards and process professional judgment and other appeals.
• Serve as content manager of office website.
• Collaborate with the Veteran Certifying Official to ensure financial aid regulatory compliance for VA Post 911 recipients and serve as a liaison to the Accounting Office for reconciliation.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid by serving on designated committee meetings.
• Maintain accurate and thorough file documentation; maintain accuracy of database.
• Model, support and facilitate quality customer service.
• Assist in representing the Office of Financial Aid campus-wide and at special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5 years' experience in financial aid administration, or related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of integrated Financial Aid systems, Colleague experience preferred.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, perform well under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office products; knowledge of financial aid software preferred.
• Commitment to a liberal arts education.

Description of Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30-4:30

Additional Expectations

We inspire success by working together to provide meaningful, personalized service in a spirit of excellence. SXU seeks candidates that deliver value-added services in a responsive, collaborative, effective, and respectful manner.

The University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Saint Xavier University affirms its position as a Catholic institution, inspired by the heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, and asserts its rights to employ persons who subscribe to the mission, vision and core values of the University.

Saint Xavier University is an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions and all other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other factors protected by law. Hiring decisions will be based on the bona fide occupational qualifications of each applicant.