Associate​/Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools:
The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles

F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

The Associate/Assistant Director of Financial Aid is a key memberof Fairfield University’s Financial Aid leadership team, supporting the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of financial aid operations. In alignment with the University’sJesuit, Catholic mission and commitment to cura personalis, thisrole advances access, affordability, and student success through ethical, student-centered service. The Associate/Assistant Director partners with various members of the team to implement strategy,oversee core processes, and enhance systems that support efficient and equitable delivery of financial aid.

• Support strategic planning, policy development, and operational effectiveness as a member of the financial aid team.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Prepare financial aid appeals for review and serve on the appeals committee.
• Manage an assigned student caseload and perform file review,verification and academic progress evaluations as needed and in accordance with all applicable policies.
• Process financial aid awards, adjustments, verification, over awards and appeals.
• Monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education, NASFAA,and other professional organizations.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven work environment.
• Counsel students, parents, and other related parties regarding financial aid programs, eligibility, application procedures andaward processing.
• Review documentation for accuracy and consistency.
• Communicate with students and families.
• Collaborate with Bursar, Registrar, Enrollment and other campus partners on assigned projects.
• Use PowerFAIDS and Workday and related systems to administer aid, track records and support compliance.
• Support recruitment, open house, guidance counselor and special events, and deliver financial aid and financial literacy presentations on and off campus as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and otherapplicable policies.
• Assists in the administration of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, including annual setup, awarding, and ongoing review ofstudent eligibility and fund utilization to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.
• Reviews weekly FWS payroll activity, including payroll loadsand student earnings; troubleshoots payroll issues and tracks FWSearnings maximums, providing timely notifications to students and supervisors as needed.
• Compiles and verifies FWS program data for internal reporting and required federal submissions, including COD and the FISAP,ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
• Maintains current FWS program documentation, guides, and online content, and communicates routine program updates and reminders to students and supervisors throughout the year.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state,…