Director of Financial Aid

The Director of Financial Aid reports directly to the Associate Vice President/Dean of Enrollment Management and is responsible for administering, implementing, and managing all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, institutional policies, and guidelines.

The Director leads the College's financial aid operations, including financial aid processing, compliance, reporting, reconciliation, student service, financial aid technology, fraud prevention, and system-related initiatives. The Director serves as the functional subject-matter expert for Financial Aid in student information and financial aid system implementations, integration, testing, and optimization, in collaboration with Information Technology and other College departments.

This is a full-time, administrative position. 

Example of Duties: 

• Directly supervise Financial Aid administrators and support staff; oversee day-to-day operations, workload management, performance evaluation, scheduling, hiring and onboarding recommendations, and employee attendance, leave, and performance matters in accordance with college policies, HR requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Provide leadership, guidance, ongoing training, professional development, and cross-training to ensure staff maintain current knowledge and skills and effectively perform their assigned responsibilities.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the accessibility, timeliness, clarity, and effectiveness of financial aid services, with particular attention to reducing barriers to student enrollment and persistence.
• Monitor and interpret federal and state financial aid regulations and administrative requirements, including the Federal Student Aid Handbook. Identify regulatory changes, compliance risks, and operational impacts; develop and implement appropriate policies, procedures, processes, and timelines to ensure continued compliance and effective administration.
• Ensure institutional compliance with applicable Title IV program participation and administrative requirements and maintain appropriate documentation to support institutional eligibility and continued participation.
• Direct and oversee the administration and processing of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including grants, loans, scholarships, institutional aid, verification, awards, and disbursements, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant delivery of financial aid services.
• Serve as the Financial Aid functional lead for student information system and financial aid technology implementations, integrations, testing, data validation, and ongoing optimization. Collaborate with Information Technology, vendors, and College departments to ensure system functionality, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and effective financial aid operations.
• Develop and oversee processes and controls to identify, prevent, document, and appropriately refer suspected fraud and suspicious activity. Oversee the use of identity verification and fraud prevention technologies, including LightLeapAI or comparable solutions, and ensure appropriate review, escalation, and resolution in accordance with federal regulations and institutional procedures.
• Direct the timely and accurate preparation, submission, and reconciliation of required federal, state, and institutional reports, including FISAP, New Jersey state grant reconciliations, NSLDS reporting, IPEDS, NACUBO surveys, and other required reports.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial aid records and data. Establish and maintain appropriate financial aid controls and collaborate with Finance, Information Technology, Registrar, Bursar, Admissions, Institutional Research, and other College departments to resolve discrepancies and strengthen operations.
• Ensure Financial Aid website content, communications, consumer information, disclosures, and notifications are accurate, timely, accessible, and compliant with federal and state requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with College administrators, faculty, staff, students, government agencies, external partners, and other stakeholders to support Financial Aid objectives and student success.
• Coordinate and respond to financial aid audits, program reviews, and regulatory inquiries; provide required documentation and implement corrective actions as appropriate.
• Remain current on changes in financial aid regulations, technology, fraud prevention, and industry practices. Identify opportunities to improve Financial Aid processes, services, technology, and student experience.
• Participate in College committees, strategic initiatives, technology implementations, and cross-functional projects as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• A Master's degree is required.
• Five (5) years of progressive administrative experience in a financial aid office is required, specifically in the supervision of staff, as well as in the delivery of financial aid programs.
• Must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to function in a highly diversified work environment and willingness to provide service to a multicultural student body are required; previous experience within the community college setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience administering financial aid through computerized student information and financial aid systems. Knowledge of Ellucian Colleague is preferred. Experience with the integration, implementation, configuration, testing, and/or conversion of Ellucian Colleague, or other student information, financial aid, CRM, or enterprise systems, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Information Technology and other functional areas on system implementations, integrations, data validation, business process development, testing, troubleshooting, and system upgrades.
• The following substantive knowledge expected includes Title IV federal student aid programs; FAFSA and federal methodology requirements; federal verification requirements; satisfactory academic progress; professional judgment; return of Title IV funds; enrollment reporting; NJ state financial aid programs; institutional aid; 
• Electronic data exchanges; and the ability to translate regulatory and operational requirements into system processes and functional specifications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet regulatory and institutional deadlines.

The completion of a background check will be required for the selected candidate. 

Compensation: Salary is determined by a variety of criteria, including but not limited to, previous relevant experience, education level, and certifications. The salary range for this position is $85,000-$105,000.

Benefits: PCCC offers a variety of benefits which include:

The college also offers optional programs such as: