Director of Financial Aid

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee seeks a Director of Financial Aid to lead the Office of Financial Aid Administration, ensuring compliance with Title IV and state programs. You will drive strategic initiatives, supervise staff, manage budgets, and partner with Student Financial Services to support student access and success.

The role reports to senior leadership, engages with external agencies, and requires a strong commitment to compliance, efficiency, and service delivery across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• At least seven years of financial aid experience, including leadership.
• Strong knowledge of federal Title IV regulations and state financial aid programs.
• Experience with FISAP, COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal.
• Ability to interpret and implement complex regulatory guidance.

Responsibilities

• Directs administration and management of OFAA including staffing and operations.
• Develops policies, procedures, and internal controls for federal/state aid programs.
• Ensures compliance with Title IV regulations and state requirements.
• Oversees FISAP preparation, reporting, and fund stewardship.
• Leads budgeting and financial planning for OFAA.
• Represents the university with external financial aid organizations.
• Collaborates with campus partners to support enrollment and student success.

Skills

Financial aid leadership

Regulatory interpretation

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Position Title

Director of Financial Aid

Job Category

Limited

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Financial Aid Director (Inst)

Job Duties

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Financial Aid Administration (OFAA) and is responsible for the administration, compliance, and delivery of federal, state, and select institutional financial aid programs. The Director serves as the University's principal authority on Title IV and state student financial aid regulations and related compliance matters, ensuring the institution maintains full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, reporting requirements, and audit standards.

This position reports to the Chief Enrollment Operations Officer and Executive Director of Student Financial Services (SFS). SFS at UWM is comprised of OFAA, the Office of Student Accounts (OSA), the Office of Student Scholarships (OSS), and the Student Financial Service Center (SFSC). The Director collaborates regularly with the Executive Director and other SFS department leaders to advance a coordinated and strategic approach to supporting student finances. Daily student advising and other outreach and support are provided by dedicated advisors in the SFSC.

As a key member of the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success, the Director provides leadership that supports student access, persistence, and completion through efficient, compliant, and student-centered financial aid operations. The Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, operational excellence, accountability, and collaboration while utilizing technology and data-informed decision making to improve service delivery and institutional effectiveness.

This role offers flexibility for a blended in-office and remote schedule over time. The successful candidate will be expected to report to campus multiple days per week.

Major Responsibilities

40% Administration and Management

The Director of Financial Aid has overall responsibility for directing the administration and management of OFAA. Provides leadership for strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, personnel management, resource allocation, technology utilization, business process improvement, customer service, and operational performance. Directs development, implementation, and assessment of policies and procedures supporting the delivery of governmental financial aid programs. Leads departmental planning efforts aligned with university enrollment goals and student success priorities. Maintains effective staffing levels and develops a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment. Responsible for hiring, supervising, coaching, evaluating, and developing professional staff.

30% Regulatory Compliance, Policy Development and Risk Management

Serves as UWM’s institutional subject matter expert on Title IV student financial aid regulations and state financial aid requirements. Interprets and operationalizes federal statutes, regulations, Dear Colleague Letters, Electronic Announcements, Federal Student Aid Handbook guidance, and state directives. Develops and maintains policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance monitoring practices. Directs institutional preparation for audits, reviews, and federal program reviews. Oversees corrective action activities, identifies compliance risks, and advises university leadership regarding regulatory implications and opportunities to mitigate institutional liability.

15% Federal and State Aid Program Administration and Reporting

Provides direct oversight of federal, state, and select institutional financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, Federal Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, Wisconsin Grant programs, the Milwaukee Tuition Promise program, military and veteran educational benefits coordination, and other governmental aid programs. Oversees the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) preparation, reconciliation activities, reporting requirements, fund stewardship, and compliance submissions. Ensures timely awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and administration of aid programs while maximizing operational effectiveness.

10% Leadership, Collaboration, and External Relations

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with university leadership, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success departments, academic departments, the Universities of Wisconsin System, state agencies, and federal partners. Represents the university in system-wide, state, regional, and national financial aid organizations and discussions. Advises institutional leaders regarding financial aid regulatory changes, compliance implications, and operational best practices. Collaborates with campus partners to support enrollment, retention, affordability, and student success initiatives.

5% Other

Other duties as assigned by university/divisional leadership.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
• Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit
• Develops and audits the unit budget
• Advises institutional leadership and unit leadership on financial aid matters
• Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes unit objectives to ensure appropriate use of resources and alignment with the strategic plan

Department

This is an exciting opportunity to join a student-centered institution committed to access, affordability, and student success while leading a talented, veteran team responsible for the administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.

As Wisconsin's premier urban research university, UWM serves more than 23,000 students and is a national leader in providing educational opportunity and social mobility. The Director of Financial Aid will play a critical leadership role within Student Financial Services and the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success, helping to shape institutional strategy while building upon the strong foundation of an experienced and highly respected staff recognized for its professionalism, dedication, and student-centered approach.

The primary responsibility of the Office of Financial Aid Administration is determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid and veteran related funds while at the same time remaining in compliance with the various federal, state, UW System, and institutional regulations and guidance. We seek a director who will continue the tradition of excellence that has long defined financial aid administration at UWM.

Compensation

$115,000-$130,000 (Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience). This position also offers an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, paid sick leave, personal, vacation and legal holiday time off as well as contribution towards the cost of several other employee benefits, including a pension.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible financial aid experience, including at least three years of supervisory or leadership experience
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, state financial aid programs, and related compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and implement complex regulatory guidance while effectively managing compliance and institutional risk
• Experience with federal financial aid systems and reporting tools including the FISAP, Common Origination & Disbursement (COD) system, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Partner Portal

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education administration or a related field, or more than 15 years working professionally in higher education
• Experience administering financial aid at a large public university with a broad range of student populations and financial aid needs, including first-generation students and Pell Grant recipients
• Demonstrated strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a collaborative and student-centered approach
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) designation or other advanced financial aid certification
• Experience leading financial aid audits, federal program reviews, or other compliance-related initiatives
• Familiarity with financial aid technology solutions, workflow automation, and reporting tools
• Knowledge of Universities of Wisconsin policies and procedures and/or usage of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
• Active participation in professional financial aid associations

Physical Requirements

• Sitting: Work at a desk for many hours each day.
• Viewing: Look at computer monitors to read data and reports.
• Speaking: Talk clearly during meetings and staff training.
• Listening: Hear and understand questions from students and staff.
• Hand use: Type on a keyboard and use a mouse.
• Walking: Move across campus for meetings with other leaders.
• Carrying: Bring light items like folders, laptops, or papers to events.
• Travel: Drive or fly to occasional off-site professional conferences.

Reasonable Accommodations

Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [e-mail] or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at [phone] for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization

In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.