Director of Financial Aid

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Full-Time Regular Paterson, NJ, US

3 days ago Requisition

The Director of Financial Aid reports directly to the Associate Vice President/Dean of Enrollment Management and is responsible for administering, implementing, and managing all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, institutional policies, and guidelines.

The Director leads the College's financial aid operations, including financial aid processing, compliance, reporting, reconciliation, student service, financial aid technology, fraud prevention, and system-related initiatives. The Director serves as the functional subject-matter expert for Financial Aid in student information and financial aid system implementations, integration, testing, and optimization, in collaboration with Information Technology and other College departments.

This is a full-time, administrative position.

• Directly supervise Financial Aid administrators and support staff; oversee day-to-day operations, workload management, performance evaluation, scheduling, hiring and onboarding recommendations, and employee attendance, leave, and performance matters in accordance with college policies, HR requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Provide leadership, guidance, ongoing training, professional development, and cross-training to ensure staff maintain current knowledge and skills and effectively perform their assigned responsibilities.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the accessibility, timeliness, clarity, and effectiveness of financial aid services, with particular attention to reducing barriers to student enrollment and persistence.
• Monitor and interpret federal and state financial aid regulations and administrative requirements, including the Federal Student Aid Handbook. Identify regulatory changes, compliance risks, and operational impacts; develop and implement appropriate policies, procedures, processes, and timelines to ensure continued compliance and effective administration.
• Ensure institutional compliance with applicable Title IV program participation and administrative requirements and maintain appropriate documentation to support institutional eligibility and continued participation.
• Direct and oversee the administration and processing of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including grants, loans, scholarships, institutional aid, verification, awards, and disbursements, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant delivery of financial aid services.
• Serve as the Financial Aid functional lead for student information system and financial aid technology implementations, integrations, testing, data validation, and ongoing optimization. Collaborate with Information Technology, vendors, and College departments to ensure system functionality, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective financial aid operations.
• Develop and oversee processes and controls to identify, prevent, document, and appropriately refer suspected fraud and suspicious activity. Oversee the use of identity verification and fraud prevention technologies, including Light
  
  LeapAI or comparable solutions, and ensure appropriate review, escalation, and resolution in accordance with federal regulations and institutional procedures.
• Direct the timely and accurate preparation, submission, and reconciliation of required federal, state, and institutional reports, including FISAP, New Jersey state grant reconciliations, NSLDS reporting, IPEDS, NACUBO surveys, and other required reports.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial aid records and data. Establish and maintain appropriate financial aid controls and collaborate with Finance, Information Technology, Registrar, Bursar, Admissions, Institutional Research, and other College departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen operations.
• Ensure Financial Aid website content, communications, consumer information, disclosures, and notifications are accurate, timely, accessible, and compliant with federal and state requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with College administrators, faculty, staff, students, government agencies, external partners, and other stakeholders to support Financial Aid objectives and student…