Description
The Director of Financial Aid is a key member of the Enrollment Management leadership team, responsible for the strategic direction, daily operations, and regulatory compliance of Hamline University’s Office of Financial Aid. This position oversees the full range of financial aid programming for undergraduate and graduate students, including federal, state, and institutional aid, with a focus on optimizing aid packages to support recruitment, retention, and affordability goals. The Director is responsible for the stewardship and accurate disbursement of tens of millions of dollars in annual student aid funds flowing through the office.
The Director leads a team of financial aid professionals, serves as the institution’s primary expert on Title IV compliance, and partners closely with Undergraduate Admissions, Enrollment Operations, Graduate Enrollment and Student Success, the Registrar, Student Accounts, and institutional leadership to advance enrollment strategy. The position carries significant decision-making authority and is distinguished by its dual accountability for both technical compliance and strategic enrollment contribution.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Partnership
Serve as a senior member of the Enrollment Management leadership team, contributing financial aid expertise to recruitment and retention strategy for undergraduate and graduate populations.
Develop and implement aid leveraging strategies, including the analysis of discount rate, net revenue, and enrollment outcomes to optimize packaging models.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Enrollment Management and institutional leadership on setting annual aid budgets, merit scholarship parameters, and need-based aid philosophy.
Partner with Admissions on funnel management—providing timely aid award data, supporting yield initiatives, and informing recruitment messaging around affordability.
Support institutional efforts to grow enrollment among targeted student populations, including middle-income students, graduate enrollees, and underrepresented groups.
Serve on university-wide committees and task forces related to student success, enrollment, data governance, and strategic planning.
Financial Aid Program Administration
Oversee the administration of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including Title IV funds (Pell, SEOG, Direct Loans, Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS), Minnesota state grant programs, institutional grants and scholarships, and work-study.
Direct the packaging of financial aid awards for incoming and continuing undergraduate and graduate students, ensuring equitable and effective aid distribution aligned with institutional policy.
Manage all aspects of the institutional scholarship program, including funded and unfunded merit awards, donor-restricted scholarships, and departmental awards.
Manage all programs and funds related to College Work-Study, staff tuition benefits, and Title IV refunds.
Provide compliance oversight and institutional accountability for non-financial aid grant programs administered through the office, including TRIO, and other federally or privately funded student support grants (e.g., ETAP, Heim, PAC); ensure accurate reporting, fund stewardship, and coordination with program directors.
Monitor and manage financial aid funds to ensure disbursements are accurate, timely, and within authorized award limits.
Lead annual review and renewal of aid packaging methodology, evaluating the effectiveness of aid programs against enrollment and net revenue goals.
Regulatory Compliance & Institutional Reporting
Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable federal and state financial aid laws and regulations, including FERPA, Title IV program requirements, and Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) policies.
Direct the preparation and submission of required federal and state reports, including the FISAP, State of Minnesota grant reconciliations, and National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) reporting.
Oversee completion of annual surveys and data submissions to NACUBO, IPEDS, and other external agencies as required.
Lead and coordinate internal and external compliance reviews and audits, including preparation for federal program reviews; implement corrective action plans as needed.
Maintain current knowledge of regulatory changes and proactively communicate and implement policy and procedural updates across the office.
Ensure Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies are maintained, clearly communicated, and applied consistently.
Oversee Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) compliance, ensuring accurate and timely return calculations for students who withdraw or take a leave of absence; maintain institutional policies and procedures governing this process.
Establish and oversee protocols for monitoring enrollment changes—including withdrawals and leaves of absence—to ensure timely award revisions and compliance with disbursement requirements.
Office Operations & Technology
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of Financial Aid, ensuring high-quality, student-centered service delivery across all touchpoints.
Direct all aspects of Workday Student financial aid functionality, including annual setup, configuration updates, packaging runs, and system enhancements as new features become available.
Establish and maintain protocols for Workday census day processes, ensuring student enrollment data is reviewed and award revisions or withdrawals are addressed prior to term disbursements.
Oversee integration and data integrity between Workday, the student information system, and other institutional platforms (e.g., Slate CRM, external lender servicers).
Establish and maintain office policies, procedures, and operating standards to ensure consistent application of professional judgment and equitable treatment of students.
Manage the office’s operating budget, authorizing expenditures and monitoring budget performance throughout the fiscal year.
Staff Development & Team Leadership
Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate financial aid staff, including Associate Directors, Financial Aid Counselors, and office support personnel.
Establish clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and support professional development opportunities aligned with individual and team growth goals.
Design and deliver ongoing training for staff on federal/state program requirements, Workday processes, packaging procedures, and customer service standards.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive office culture that models Hamline’s values and prioritizes equitable student outcomes.
Student & Family Advising
Serve as a resource for complex financial aid cases requiring senior-level review, including appeals, professional judgment determinations, and dependency overrides.
Meet with students and families as needed to explain aid eligibility, resolve issues, and support informed decision-making around financing their education.
Collaborate with academic advisors, student success staff, and other campus partners to address financial barriers to student retention and degree completion.
Ensure that communications from the Office of Financial Aid—including award letters, verification notices, and general correspondence—are clear, accurate, and student-friendly.
Data Analysis & Institutional Research
Prepare and present financial aid data analyses for institutional leadership, including enrollment projections, discount rate reporting, and program effectiveness metrics.
Contribute financial aid data and analysis to institutional planning processes, accreditation reports, and board-level presentations as requested.
Monitor and report on aid expenditures by program, fund source, and student population to support institutional decision-making.
Perform additional duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties logically related to the position.
Requirements
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES
In-depth knowledge of federal and state financial aid policies, Title IV regulations, and institutional aid strategies.
Strong analytical skills; ability to interpret, organize, and present complex data to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement aid leveraging strategies in support of enrollment goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace; experience with financial aid management systems required (Workday experience strongly preferred).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to explain complex regulatory and financial information clearly to students, families, and campus partners.
Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to equity, access, and student success in financial aid practice.
MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a college or university financial aid office.
Minimum of seven (7) years of direct experience with federal and state financial aid regulations, including Title IV compliance.
Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience managing professional staff.
Demonstrated experience with financial aid system administration and database packaging of financial aid awards.
PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience in a small, private liberal arts institution with both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Experience working with both undergraduate and graduate financial aid programs.
Experience with Workday Student financial aid configuration and annual setup.
Demonstrated experience with enrollment management strategy, aid leveraging analysis, and net revenue modeling.
Ten (10) or more years of enrollment management or financial aid experience.
Membership and/or leadership in NASFAA, MASFAA, or other relevant professional associations.
