Director of Financial Aid

Position Summary: Serves as a key member of NGU’s Student Services leadership team and provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for the Financial Aid Office. Oversees the administration and delivery of the University’s financial aid programs and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations, policies, and requirements. Develops, implements, and maintains effective policies, procedures, and processes designed to promote regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and exceptional service to students and families. Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with departments and colleagues across the University to support student success and institutional objectives. Provides leadership, supervision, development, and accountability for all Financial Aid Office staff and student workers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster a professional, welcoming, and service-oriented environment by promoting excellence in customer service across in-person, telephone, and written communications.
• Develop and implement departmental plans, strategic initiatives, and performance goals that align with the University’s mission, institutional priorities, and the direction of senior campus leadership.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Financial Aid staff; establish performance expectations; and promote professional development and accountability.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to develop and evaluate data-driven institutional scholarship and grant policies that support enrollment, student retention, affordability, and revenue objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the awarding, disbursement, monitoring, and reconciliation of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, ensuring accuracy, fiscal accountability, and compliance with applicable regulations and institutional policies.
• Establish, authorize, and periodically review appropriate access levels for financial aid staff and third-party partners to federal and state financial aid systems, ensuring proper access controls and data security.
• Develop, maintain, and regularly review the University’s Title IV policies and procedures to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with applicable federal requirements.
• Oversee institutional compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations, including the timely and accurate dissemination of required annual disclosures and consumer information.
• In coordination with the Vice President for Student Services, monitor legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting financial aid and lead the implementation of necessary changes to institutional policies, procedures, systems, and practices.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion and submission of required federal and institutional reports, surveys, and disclosures, including the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the University’s annual A-133 audit and other financial aid audits, reviews, and compliance assessments; coordinate documentation, facilitate responses to findings, and oversee the implementation of corrective actions as needed.
• Oversee the accuracy, consistency, and timely updating of financial aid information published on the University website, in official publications, and through other student-facing communications.
• Develop and deliver financial aid training for university personnel involved in student recruitment and enrollment, including Admissions and Athletics, to promote accurate communication of financial aid policies, programs, and requirements.
• Represent the Financial Aid Office at institutional preview days, high school financial aid nights, and other recruitment or outreach events, as needed.
• Support university-wide events and student engagement initiatives, including commencement, New Student Connect, and student check-in activities, as needed.
• Collaborate with Student Services colleagues, including Student Accounts, Academic Records, and NGUcentral, to resolve student portal and account-related issues, coordinate services across departments, and ensure students receive accurate information and timely assistance.

Physical Requirements

• Visual Abilities: read reports, create presentations, and use a computer system.
• Hearing: hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, vendors, and students.
• Dexterity: grasp, feel, write, type, and use the telephone, copier, and computer systems.
• Mobility: open files and operate office machines; move between departments and attend meetings across campus.
• Talking: frequently conveys detailed or important instructions and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Lifting, pulling, pushing, exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly.
• Cognitive/Emotional: the ability to think critically and concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in conditions 75 to 100% of the time.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This position is a full-time, exempt position in the Student Services department. The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President for Student Services.

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Office hours are subject to change as deemed necessary. Occasional work on Saturdays and evenings may be required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.