Assistant Director Financial Aid

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.

Financial Aid Systems and Operations

Full time

Regular

Exempt

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Excluded

This is a key position in the overall management of American University’s financial aid programs. The incumbent’s primary responsibility is the evaluation, awarding and reconciliation of financial aid programs for one or more of the major financial assistance programs (Federal Direct Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Work‑study program, Federal PELL Grant program, Federal SEOG etc.). The incumbent is responsible for determining the financial aid eligibility of prospective and current students and assuring compliance with federal and institutional guidelines.

Advises and counsels students, prospective students, parents, and colleagues regarding federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs.

• System Management
  • Responsible for managing and administering all aspects of federal, institutional and state aid programs to include the administration of the Financial Aid Office’s portfolio of State Grant and external scholarships. This includes overseeing the program’s budgets of over $6 million and up to over $150 million in federal funds. Conducts reconciliation of awards, certification of expenditures and ensures university compliance with federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Policy Review
  • Determine extent, type and amount of eligibility for various types of financial aid, to include state and external scholarships. The position reviews student eligibility for renewal, updates ERP to reflect accurate fund availability and ensures award usage is compliant with state and external awardees’ intent. Evaluates appeals for amounts and types of financial aid awards. Utilizing professional judgment, the position determines and adjusts awards, if warranted, based upon individual family circumstances incorporating existing federal and institutional guidelines.
• Training and Counseling
  • Recruit, train and supervise a full‑time financial aid counselor. Maintains concrete knowledge of institutional and federal regulations as well as office policies and procedures as they relate to administration of state and external scholarships.
• Communication and Information Dissemination
  • Provide financial advice and counseling to both prospective and enrolled students, parents and AU Administrators regarding the donor/restricted scholarship process, application of payment, budgeting, and financial planning each semester. Explain federal/institutional regulations, methods of compliance and procedures and policies. Understand and inform students of all principles underlying the system of needs analysis, methods of information collection and verification. The duties are handled to facilitate the financial aid process.
    
    Work with other University departments such as Student Accounts, Development, Payroll, Registrar and Academic Units on behalf of students.

• Reporting directly to this position is a Financial Aid Counselor.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas
• Developing Plans
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions
• Championing Customer Needs
• Building and Supporting Teams
• Managing Talent

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.

• $68,000.00 - $73,000.00 annually.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of automated systems.

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.