Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is responsible for providing comprehensive financial aid counseling and support to students and families, administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, coordinating borrower success and default prevention initiatives, and serving as a backup resource for selected financial aid system functions. The Assistant Director plays a key role in supporting the effective administration and delivery of student financial aid services at the University of Indianapolis.

This position reviews and processes financial aid applications, advises students and families on available financial aid options, ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and supports student access, persistence, and success through comprehensive financial aid counseling and outreach. The Assistant Director serves as a primary resource for students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, financing options, responsible borrowing, loan repayment obligations, and financial literacy.

The position coordinates borrower outreach and default prevention initiatives designed to promote successful loan repayment outcomes and reduce student loan delinquency and default rates. This position collaborates closely with academic departments and campus partners to support enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives. The Assistant Director also assists with scholarship administration, verification, professional judgment reviews, compliance activities, and other financial aid processes.

In support of office operations, the Assistant Director serves as a secondary resource and backup for selected financial aid system functions, assisting with testing, report review, and operational processes as needed to support continuity of operations. The Assistant Director contributes to the University's enrollment, retention, and student success goals by helping students understand, secure, and successfully manage the financial resources necessary to complete their educational objectives.

• Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, higher education student services, or a related field required.
• Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations, need analysis, verification, and financial aid eligibility requirements.
• Experience administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs within a higher education environment preferred.
• Experience with default prevention, financial literacy programming, borrower outreach, retention initiatives, or loan repayment counseling preferred.
• Experience with financial aid management systems (Banner, Cognos, Slate, or similar student information systems) strongly preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex federal regulations and financial aid policies.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated technical aptitude with student systems, reporting tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Workspace.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.

• Counsel prospective and current students and families regarding federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.
• Review financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine aid eligibility.
• Assist students and families in understanding financial aid offers, financing options, borrowing decisions, and payment responsibilities.
• Process and review verification documents, professional judgment requests, dependency overrides, special circumstance appeals, and other financial aid reviews.
• Assist with scholarship administration, awarding, and eligibility…