Lead Financial Aid & Scholarships Operations

Auburn University; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn University is seeking an Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships to lead the financial aid and scholarship operations, supervise staff, and ensure compliant, student-centered service delivery.

The role requires strong knowledge of federal and institutional aid rules, donor guidelines, and experience in awards processing, appeals, and audit readiness. Join a team dedicated to excellence in higher education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (any discipline).
• 6 years of experience in financial aid and/or scholarship administration.
• 2 years supervising full-time staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises assigned staff responsible for financial aid and scholarship operations, including assigning and reviewing work, providing day-to-day guidance, monitoring performance, and ensuring consistent service delivery.
• Provides operational leadership for scholarship administration, aid adjustments, federal aid processes, and student service workflows with accurate, timely, and compliant administration of student aid.
• Oversees or supports federal aid and compliance processes, including loan processing, return to Title IV calculations, FAFSA verification, Federal Work-Study, and required aid adjustments.
• Interprets and applies federal, state, institutional, and donor requirements to resolve complex eligibility, cost of attendance, overawards, withdrawals, or adjustments.
• Serves as a functional expert for staff, students, academic units, and campus partners on financial aid policies, timelines, and donor guidelines.
• Oversees student appeals processes (SAP, scholarship appeals, professional judgments, dependencies, etc.) ensuring compliant review and communication.
• Evaluates scholarships, outside resources, fellowship payments, tuition benefits, and other aid to determine impact on cost of attendance and Title IV compliance.
• Provides coaching and cross-process guidance to strengthen operational knowledge and continuity of operations.
• Collaborates with systems and data staff to test, verify, troubleshoot, and document awarding and adjustment processes for audit readiness.
• Identifies and implements process improvements and annual awarding instructions and communication strategies.

Skills

Financial aid administration

Staff supervision

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree (any discipline)

2+ years supervising staff (desired)

Job description

Auburn University is seeking an Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships to lead the financial aid and scholarship operations, supervise staff, and ensure compliant, student-centered service delivery.

The role requires strong knowledge of federal and institutional aid rules, donor guidelines, and experience in awards processing, appeals, and audit readiness. Join a team dedicated to excellence in higher education.