Position Summary
The Director of Financial Aid gives SCIT's financial aid function its strategy and leadership, and is accountable for its compliance. The Director oversees all federal, state, and institutional aid programs and serves as the institution's senior authority on Title IV compliance.
The Director reports to the Chief Financial Officer and sets the direction of the Financial Aid Office. This includes aligning aid strategy with enrollment, retention, and institutional goals. The Director also protects SCIT's standing to participate in federal student aid programs. The role leads the financial aid team, advises executive leadership on regulatory risk and opportunity, and keeps service to students accurate, efficient, and student-centered.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Departmental Oversight
- Set the vision, goals, and operating priorities of the Financial Aid Office in line with SCIT's strategic and enrollment plans.
- Serve as a key advisor to the CFO and executive leadership on financial aid policy, regulatory change, compliance risk, and how aid affects enrollment and revenue.
- Develop and manage the department budget, staffing model, and resource plans.
- Set key performance indicators for the office (processing timelines, accuracy, audit findings, student satisfaction) and use them to drive continuous improvement.
- Lead long-range planning for aid programs, including new program eligibility, changes to program offerings, and institutional aid strategy.
Title IV Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
- Serve as SCIT's senior compliance officer for Title IV. Ensure the institution fully meets the terms of its Program Participation Agreement (PPA) and all federal, state, and accreditor requirements.
- Oversee institutional eligibility and recertification, including maintenance of the Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) and timely reporting of institutional changes to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Monitor and manage key compliance metrics, including cohort default rates and, as applicable to proprietary institutions, the 90/10 revenue requirement. Coordinate the related reporting with the Accounting Office.
- Ensure compliance with required processes, including verification, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), professional judgment, cash management, and reconciliation.
- Lead preparation for and response to annual compliance audits, federal program reviews, state reviews, and accreditation reporting. Develop and carry out corrective action plans as needed.
- Keep consumer information and disclosure requirements current and accurate.
- Interpret new and changing federal and state regulations, assess their institutional impact, and lead timely implementation.
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive, written policies-and-procedures manual with appropriate internal controls and separation of duties.
- Serve as the institution's primary point of contact for federal systems, including COD, NSLDS, and the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG).
Financial Aid Operations
- Oversee all aid processing, including application review, verification, packaging, awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation via EdExpress.
- Ensure federal, state, and institutional aid is awarded and disbursed accurately and on time.
- Ensure ongoing monitoring of student eligibility, SAP, and enrollment status each term.
- Maintain the integrity, security, and completeness of student financial aid records across all systems.
Student Support and Advising
- Ensure students and families receive clear, accurate counseling on aid options, eligibility, award conditions, and borrower responsibilities.
- Personally resolve escalated, complex, or sensitive financial aid matters with professionalism and a student-centered approach.
- Lead financial literacy and responsible borrowing initiatives that support student success and loan repayment outcomes.
Systems, Data, and Reporting
- Provide strategic oversight of financial aid systems and their integration with the student information system (SIS).
- Produce and interpret reports for executive leadership, regulatory agencies, and accreditors.
- Partner with administrative leaders to modernize processes, automate workflows, and improve efficiency and accuracy.
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Contribute to strategic enrollment planning through data-informed packaging and aid strategy.
- Oversee coordination of state aid (Cal Grant/CSAC) and veterans' education benefits, acting as and working with School Certifying Officials (SCO).
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, supervise, and develop the financial aid staff. Build a culture of accountability, compliance, continuous learning, and excellent service.
- Set clear performance expectations, give regular feedback, and conduct evaluations.
- Plan staffing and workload to maintain accuracy and timeliness during peak periods and throughout the year.
- Support cross-training and succession planning so operations continue without interruption.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, education, or a related field.
- 7+ years of progressively responsible financial aid experience at a postsecondary institution, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
- Expert knowledge of Title IV regulations, including verification, SAP, R2T4, packaging, and institutional eligibility requirements.
- Demonstrated success leading federal program reviews, compliance audits, or corrective action.
- Hands-on experience with COD, NSLDS, and SAIG/Department of Education systems, as well as financial aid management systems (EdExpress) and student information systems.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines accurately.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex regulatory information to executive leadership.
- A proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff, and a commitment to student service.
Preferred
- Master's degree in higher education administration, business, compliance, or a related field.
- Experience at a private, for-profit, or career-focused institution, particularly with Title IV compliance in a proprietary school context (including 90/10).
- Experience with California state aid programs (CSAC/Cal Grant).
- Experience with Veterans Affairs education benefits (e.g., GI Bill), including experience as or working with a School Certifying Official (SCO).
- Professional development through NASFAA, CASFAA, or similar organizations. NASFAA credentials are a plus.
Schedule
- Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Full-time, on-site
Compensation and Benefits
The annual salary for this position is $80,000–$110,000, depending on experience and qualifications. After a successful introductory period, SCIT offers:
- Paid sick leave: 40 hours per calendar year.
- Paid vacation: 40 hours in the first year and 80 hours a year from the second year on, accrued each term.
- Paid holidays: 8 per calendar year.
- Health insurance: PPO and HMO plan options, with SCIT paying up to $400 a month toward premiums.
- 401(k): Eligible after one year of employment and 1,000 hours of service.