Director of Financial Aid

Sowela Technical Community College; Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement options

Medical insurance options

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

A Louisiana educational institution seeks a Director of Financial Aid to oversee compliance, program administration, and staff management. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of experience in financial aid administration, strong analytical skills, and leadership experience. Responsibilities include ensuring regulatory compliance, managing financial aid programs, and collaborating with various departments to enhance student success. An attractive benefits package is offered, including retirement and health insurance options.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in higher education financial aid administration, including leadership roles.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, especially Title IV.
• Experience with financial literacy programs.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Oversee budgeting, packaging, and reporting for financial aid programs.
• Hire and supervise staff in the Financial Aid Offices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Budget management

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Banner financial aid systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Director of Financial Aid

Job no: 495452 • Closes: • Work Type: Staff Full-Time • Locations: Monroe, LA • Categories: Financial Aid

College

Louisiana Delta Community College

Department

Enrollment Management

Sub Department

Financial Aid

Type of Appointment

Unclassified - Administrative/Staff

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Compliance & Policy Oversight
   • Interpret, apply, and update institutional policies to ensure full compliance with federal and state regulations and statutes.
   • Serve as the institutional liaison with federal, state, and external auditing agencies; prepare for program reviews and audits.
   • Monitor and manage Return of Title IV calculations, satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals, professional judgment requests, over‑awards, and fund reconciliation.
2. Program Administration & Fund Management
   • Oversee packaging, awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting for all financial aid programs (e.g., Pell, Direct Loans, state grants, work‑study).
   • Develop and monitor financial aid budgets, project expenditures, review fund balances, and make strategic decisions to optimize utilization and avoid over‑commitments.
   • Lead any new implementation and maintenance of the Banner financial aid management system, integrations, and data integrity processes.
3. Leadership & Staff Management
   • Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff in the Financial Aid Offices college wide.
   • Establish work priorities, delegate tasks, ensure cross‑training, and build departmental capacity for operational excellence.
   • Promote continuous professional development and maintain staff awareness of changing regulations and best practices.
4. Strategic Planning & Enrollment Support
   • Collaborate with enrollment management, admissions, registrar, student services, and academic departments to integrate financial aid strategies into recruitment, retention, and completion efforts.
   • Use data and trend analysis to recommend enhancements for policies, processes, and systems that improve student access, operational efficiency, and institutional goals.
   • Lead initiatives around default prevention, financial literacy, scholarship programs, and award strategies to support student success.
5. Student & Public Engagement
   • Oversee financial aid advising, workshops, and outreach to students, parents, high schools, community partners, and internal stakeholders.
   • Ensure timely, transparent, and clear communication regarding aid eligibility, award letters, rights and responsibilities, appeals, and regulatory changes.
6. Reporting & Data Analysis
   • Prepare and submit required reports (e.g., FISAP, IPEDS, Gainful Employment, institutional schedules, state agency reports) in a timely and accurate manner in coordination with other related college staff.
   • Analyze departmental metrics (e.g., processing times, appeals trends, default rates) and present findings to executive leadership.
   • Conduct or commission audits of internal procedures to assure accuracy, consistency, and quality control.
7. Other Duties
   • Participate in professional organizations, conferences, and continuous learning in financial aid.
   • Serve on college committees, contribute to institutional planning, and support special projects as assigned by senior leadership.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (advanced degree preferred)
• Substantial experience (typically 7+ years) in higher education financial aid administration, including progressively responsible leadership roles
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, especially Title IV
• Advanced Experience with Banner financial aid systems, Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, decision‑making, and budget management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer‑service skills
• Proven ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff
• Experience with default management, financial literacy programs

Benefits

As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana Delta Community College has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Equal Opportunity & Legal Notice

Passing pre-employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment. Louisiana Delta Community College is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. Louisiana Delta Community College is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.