Financial Aid Manager

LaGuardia Community College; New York (NY); On-site; USD 102,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

LaGuardia Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Manager to oversee NYS TAP and other state aid programs, working under the Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Student Financial Services. The role requires strong knowledge of CUNYFirst and related systems and professional communication with campus partners.

The position is full-time and exempt, with a salary range reflecting qualifications and experience, and benefits offered by CUNY. Open until filled, with review starting soon.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.
• Experience with financial aid systems and state/federal aid programs is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NYS TAP and CUNY aid policies is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Administers, monitors and troubleshoots financial aid systems to ensure timely delivery of funds.
• Notifies students of aid requirements and maintains eligibility for NYS aid programs.
• Provides program updates and staff training on state aid eligibility.
• Advises students on academic progress and waivers.
• Verifies enrollment, payments, and transfer credits as applicable.
• Ensures courses are applicable to students’ majors and coordinates with Registrar.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Financial Aid Manager

Job ID: 32592

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.

Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Enrollment Management and Student Financial Services this position serves as the college’s TAP Certifying Officer for New York State aid programs.

In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, the Financial Aid Manager’s duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Administers, monitors and troubleshoots CUNY financial aid systems as well as Federal and NY State systems in order to ensure integrity of student databases and timely and accurate delivery of funds;
• Notifying students of aid requirements to maintain eligibility for all NYS aid programs (e.g., Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Part-Time TAP, Excelsior, TAP Workforce, etc.);
• Provide program updates, and conduct staff training in regards to state aid eligibility as needed.
• Advise students of the academic appeal, and waiver process in accordance with state aid academic progress standards.
• Verify students enrollment, payments processed, and evaluation of transfer credits if applicable.
• Ensure students courses are applicable to their major.
• Work with external offices e.g., Testing, Admissions, and Registrar to ensure students High School credentials, residency, and tuition charges are accurate.
• Work with the Veterans Certifying Officer, and the Bursar to ensure state aid payments are accurately posted to the appropriate students accounts, and awards are not duplicated.
• Ensure staff assisting with the programs abide by all NYS HESC policies and procedures.
• Process monthly HESC award rosters.
• Provide monthly reports to supervisor, and colleagues.
• Prepare end of term reports, and assist in CUNY Internal Audits as needed.
• Respond to inquiries from CUNY, NYS, and the campus community as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with CUNYFirst, NYSHESC Certification System, CUNY Degree Works, CUNY Financial Aid Certification Systems.
• Knowledgeable of all New York State aid programs, requirements and system processes.
• Knowledgeable of Microsoft suite.
• Excellent oral, and written communication skills.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

• Plans, develops and implements financial aid policies and processes in accordance with Federal, State and University standards.
• Manages financial aid activities and represents the office at on-campus and off-campus meetings and forums
• Manages day-to day administrative and systems operations for optimal efficiency and customer service; manages special processes such as Return of Title IV Aid
• Provides comprehensive financial counseling to parents and students
• Implements all necessary processes to support financial aid application, awarding and delivery cycles
• Oversees the coordination of financial aid activities with those of other College and University offices
• Implements and maintains web based services
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Financial Aid Manager

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$102,408 - $113,982

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled. Resume review will begin after September 4th, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.