Texas Wesleyan University · 13 hours ago
Associate Director of Financial Aid - Internal Candidates Only
Fort Worth, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
7+ years expTexas Wesleyan University is seeking an Associate Director of Financial Aid to lead the administration and management of financial aid programs. The role involves ensuring compliance with regulations, overseeing staff, and collaborating with various departments to enhance student success and retention.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary operational leader for the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring continuity of operations and regulatory compliance in the Director’s absence
Provide direct supervision, training, mentoring, and performance management for professional and support staff, including workflow assignment and quality assurance oversight
Lead staff training initiatives related to federal and state regulatory changes, institutional policy updates, and system/process enhancements
Establish, document, and enforce standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and audit readiness
Work collaboratively with colleagues in Finance and Administration, Enrollment Management, Registrar, Academic Advising, Athletics, Student Affairs, and all other departments to support recruitment and retention of students
Maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and coordination with Financial Aid
Provide competent and compassionate leadership by cultivating a collaborative, respectful, and healthy work environment; mentors and supports staff; and advances the institution’s core values of connection, commitment, compassion, and courage to enhance student success and belonging
Support Title IV, state, and institutional compliance by monitoring routine processes, identifying potential issues, and helping ensure that financial aid activities align with applicable regulations and guidance
Interpret federal and state regulations and translate requirements into institutional policies, procedures, and operational practices
Oversee verification, ISIR processing, SAP, professional judgment, and conflicting information resolution to ensure compliance and consistency
Lead internal compliance reviews and quality assurance efforts, including oversight of third-party servicers and corrective action when deficiencies are identified
Assist in coordinating information and documentation for external auditors and help support the office’s response during Single Audit or program review activities
Provide operational oversight of federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grant, Direct Loans, state aid, and institutional funds
Work collaboratively with institutional stakeholders to oversee the Federal Work-Study program, including budget management, regulatory compliance, reconciliation, and coordination with payroll, supervisors, and community partners
Review, approve, and document professional judgment determinations in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policy
Serve as the final institutional reviewer for SAP appeals, dependency overrides, and other exception-based determinations
Resolve escalated and sensitive student and family issues requiring advanced regulatory interpretation and institutional discretion
Assist the Executive Director in the oversight of financial aid awarding and packaging strategies to ensure compliance, equity, and alignment with institutional enrollment and retention goals
Assist the Director with institutional aid budget planning, monitoring, forecasting, and reconciliation
Analyze awarding trends, fund utilization, and student impact data to support enrollment management and retention initiatives
Collaborate with Admissions, Student Accounts, Registrar, and Institutional Research to ensure coordinated service delivery and data integrity
Oversee the development, review, and approval of financial aid communications, including email, print materials, website content, and publications
Represent the Office of Financial Aid at orientations, recruitment events, and university programs
Serve on institutional committees and cross-functional teams supporting student success, compliance, and operational effectiveness
Maintain open, effective communication with campus partners to resolve issues and improve service outcomes
Assist the Executive Director in ensuring timely and accurate completion of federal, state, and institutional reporting requirements
Review and interpret data related to aid distribution, compliance, and operational performance to inform decision-making
Lead or support special projects such as system upgrades, policy reviews, audit preparation, and process improvement initiatives
Maintain confidentiality of student records and exercise independent judgment in the handling of sensitive information
Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and cultural competence when working with a diverse population of students, families, faculty, staff, and external partners
Manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration
Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV regulations and federal student aid programs
Experience supporting audits, program reviews, or compliance evaluations
Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
Understanding of FERPA, GAAP principles, Title IV financial aid regulations, and best practices in student account management
Extensive working knowledge of Title IV regulations and federal student aid programs
Strong understanding of the intersection between Financial Aid and Student Account operations
Deep understanding of tuition discounting, institutional aid strategy, and net revenue implications
Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations governing student financial services
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous process improvement
Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, and professionalism
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports, policies, federal regulations, and technical procedures
Ability to write clear business correspondence and respond effectively to questions or concerns
Ability to present information to students, families, staff, and leadership as needed
Preferred
Master's degree preferred
NASFAA Credentials preferred
Experience with Ellucian Colleague or similar ERP system preferred
Company
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University is a school in Fort Worth.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
2025-03-29
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