Assistant Director, Student Financial Services

Assistant Director, Student Financial Services

The Assistant Director of Student Financial Services provides specialized financial aid advising and proactive outreach to continuing and returning students with a focus on reducing financial barriers that impact student retention. This person will collaborate with campus partners to identify and support at‑risk students through individualized counseling, targeted interventions, and enrollment support strategies. In addition, the role coordinates financial aid administration and compliance activities for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) while promoting student success and persistence.

• 1 year of financial aid, student services or higher education experience
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.

• Provide individualized financial aid advising to continuing and returning students, including FAFSA troubleshooting, funding strategy guidance, and responsible borrowing counseling.
• Conduct targeted outreach and proactive intervention for at‑risk student populations.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support retention initiatives, student success strategies, and case management for financially vulnerable students.
• Develop and maintain financial aid advising resources and training materials for academic advisors and campus partners.
• Coordinate financial aid administration for the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), including eligibility review, awarding, reconciliation, reporting, and compliance activities.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, institutional, and program-specific financial aid regulations.
• Support winter and summer enrollment and retention initiatives through outreach and individualized counseling.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Experience with Banner and/or Ellucian systems preferred
• Knowledge of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
• Experience supporting retention, student success, or advising initiatives.

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year
    7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.
  • Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

Marist University is committed to creating an inclusive workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated.

The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with regard to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.