Strategic Director of Financial Aid & Student Access

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Academy of Cincinnati invites applications for a full-time Director of Financial Aid. This leadership role oversees federal, state, and institutional aid, ensuring accurate awarding, verification, and compliance with Title IV requirements.

You will collaborate across departments to support enrollment and retention, with a focus on student access and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include program oversight, audits, reporting, policy development, and staff supervision, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Federal Student Aid Two-Factor Authentication token required to access federal systems.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience administering financial aid in a college or university.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV programs and federal/state financial aid regulations.
• Experience with eligibility determination, verification, professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, Return of Title IV Funds, awarding, disbursement, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Experience administering Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Work-Study, state aid, and institutional scholarships.
• Experience using financial aid management software and federal systems, including COD and NSLDS.
• Experience preparing documentation for annual financial aid audits, Title IV program reviews, and other compliance reviews.
• Ability to interpret regulations, maintain compliant policies, protect confidential information, and meet deadlines.
• Must not be subject to federal debarment or restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal regulations governing Title IV grants, loans, and work-study.
• Evaluate FAFSAs to determine eligibility.
• Provide students with award packages detailing aid options.
• Monitor FAFSA changes affecting eligibility and revise awards.
• Complete verification for selected FAFSAs.
• Make professional judgment decisions in special circumstances.
• Counsel students and parents about financial aid options.
• Counsel students about borrower obligations and implement default-prevention initiatives.
• Administer Pell Grants, FSEOG, and other federal grants including eligibility, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Administer state grants including OCOG; provide eligibility, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Manage Federal Direct Loan Program including origination, disbursement, and data reconciliation.
• Deliver presentations/workshops on financial aid information and options.
• Review and update financial aid website information.
• Complete IPEDS and FISAP reports.
• Prepare materials for annual federal/state audits.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical

Organizational

Communication

Student-service

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

COD

NSLDS

Job description

The Art Academy of Cincinnati invites applications for a full-time Director of Financial Aid. This leadership role oversees federal, state, and institutional aid, ensuring accurate awarding, verification, and compliance with Title IV requirements.

You will collaborate across departments to support enrollment and retention, with a focus on student access and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include program oversight, audits, reporting, policy development, and staff supervision, with