Director of Financial Aid

Finance to maximize financial accessibility for students and families.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the Office of Financial Aid, including strategic leadership, compliance, operations, and staff development.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive financial aid strategy aligned with institutional enrollment and retention goals.
  • Formulate and update financial aid policies and procedures in response to changing regulations and best practices.
  • Generate and analyze data-driven reports to evaluate financial aid trends, packaging effectiveness, and student outcomes.
• Compliance & Program Administration
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations (Title IV, SCHEV, TAG, etc.).
  • Oversee the administration and reconciliation of all financial aid programs, including federal Pell, Direct Loans, PLUS, SEOG, FWS, private loans, and institutional scholarships.
  • Manage the federal verification process, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reviews, R2T4 calculations, and appeals.
  • Prepare for and successfully manage internal and external audits, including the Single Audit and Department of Education submissions.
• Operational Management
  • Direct the daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring timely and accurate packaging, awarding, disbursement, and reporting.
  • Oversee the effective utilization of financial aid management systems (currently Jenzabar), including system setup, optimization, and training.
  • Serve as the Destination Point Administrator for Federal Student Aid, managing access to FSA systems and services.
• Student & Family Support
  • Provide accessible, comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families.
  • Develop clear communication strategies to keep students informed about financial aid opportunities, processes, and deadlines.
  • Ensure that web, print, and digital resources are accurate, up-to-date, and student-centered.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and evaluate financial aid staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
  • Provide training and professional development to ensure staff remain current on regulations, systems, and best practices.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for complex or sensitive financial aid cases.

Minimum Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will bring both technical expertise and a compassionate, mission-driven approach to helping students access a Southern Virginia University education
• Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV programs, state aid programs, and regulatory compliance, or the ability to quickly develop this expertise
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail