Edtech.com's Summary

Indiana University Indianapolis is hiring an Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships (Financial Aid/Scholarship Specialist) to make sure its financial aid programs comply with federal, state, and university regulations. The role oversees Satisfactory Academic Progress, special circumstance appeals, and state aid programs across the Indianapolis, Columbus, and Fort Wayne campuses, while writing the policies and monitoring tools that keep awarding consistent. The assistant director also guides staff, advises senior leadership on compliance risks, and counsels students on aid and appeals within the Division of Enrollment Management.

Highlights

Interpret and apply federal, state, and university regulations for designated financial aid program areas, and write and maintain the policies and procedures that enforce compliance and awarding integrity.
Oversee Satisfactory Academic Progress, Special Circumstance Appeals, and state aid programs across IU Indianapolis, IU Columbus, and IU Fort Wayne, monitoring weekly reports for accurate and timely state aid disbursement.
Lead the appeals process by training staff annually, updating documentation, auditing files, and evaluating workflows so appeals are reviewed consistently and in line with Title IV, the federal student aid provisions of the Higher Education Act.
Review packaging audits, Return to Title IV, Last Date of Attendance documentation, and Cost of Attendance adjustment audits, and audit complex aid files to resolve conflicting student record information.
Use independent judgment on complex cases, including waiving or deviating from established policies when warranted, and recommend courses of action to senior leadership on compliance risks.
Evaluate mitigating-circumstance documentation to adjust costs, need, or dependency status as exceptions, and analyze grade and enrollment reports to verify continued aid eligibility and notify students of changes.
Counsel students by phone, email, appointment, and walk-in, and present financial aid and scholarship information to campus groups, high school students, and parents at workshops and recruitment sessions.
Train staff and campus partners, develop monitoring tools and assessment strategies, and report on program outcomes and compliance metrics.
Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, or a related field and two years in student services, higher education student affairs, business, or a related field; two years of progressive financial aid experience preferred.
Salary of $50,000 to $55,000 annually.

Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships (Financial Aid/Scholarship Specialist) Full Description

Department

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (IN-ENRL-IUINA)

Department Information

Optimizing our enrollment mix is crucial to the long-term viability of Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis. There are several factors that influence a student's college choice, persistence, graduation and success. The Division of Enrollment Management is comprised of over 100 full-time staff in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Office of the Registrar, Office for Veterans and Military personnel, P12, as well as other areas supporting student enrollment. The Division also oversees and provides insight for its enrollment operations for the Fort Wayne and Columbus campuses.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

Interpret, implement, and apply federal, state, and university regulations governing designated financial aid program areas.
Analyze regulatory requirements to develop and enforce policies and procedures that ensure compliance and awarding integrity.
Review packaging audits, Return to Title IV (R2T4), Last Date of Attendance (LDA) documentation, Cost of Attendance (COA) adjustment audits, and more.
Exercise independent judgment to evaluate complex situations, assess risks, and determine appropriate courses of action, including waiving or deviating from established policies when warranted.
Provide guidance to staff and make recommendations to senior leadership regarding compliance risks and outcomes.
Oversee Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Special Circumstance Appeals, and state aid programs across IU Indianapolis, IU Columbus, and IU Fort Wayne.
Lead appeal processes by providing annual training, updating documentation, conducting audits, and evaluating workflows to ensure appeals are reviewed equitably, consistently, and in compliance with Title IV and institutional requirements.
Guide staff to ensure timely and accurate resolution of appeals.
Work and monitor weekly reports to ensure accuracy of state aid programs and timely disbursement.
Write, update, and maintain comprehensive policies and procedures aligned with regulatory requirements.
Develop monitoring tools and assessment methods to ensure consistent implementation, operational efficiency, and continued compliance across assigned program areas.
Audit complex financial aid files and conduct detailed reviews of student records to resolve conflicting information.
Collaborate with campus partners to resolve issues, strengthen cross-campus relationships, and support effective service delivery.
Participate in ongoing professional development, training, and continuing education offered by federal and state agencies and professional financial aid organizations.
Track and report on program activities, outcomes, and compliance metrics.
Develop assessment strategies to evaluate progress toward strategic goals and support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Deliver targeted training to staff and campus partners to promote accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
Provide student counseling and assistance via phone, email, scheduled appointments, and walk-in services as needed.
Ensure accurate, professional guidance related to financial aid programs, appeals, and eligibility requirements.
Maintain current knowledge of regulations and best practices to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
Apply advanced problem-solving skills and independent judgment to manage and safeguard millions of dollars in federal, state, and institutional funds.

General Responsibilities

Serve as point of contact for students and associated individuals about financial aid and/or scholarship information and processes.
Oversee financial aid and/or scholarship activities such as outreach, reporting, and monitoring; update and maintain student records.
Prepare and present information regarding federal financial aid, scholarships, employment and grants for various campus groups, high school students and parents at meetings, group discussions, workshops, and recruitment sessions.
Evaluate unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation or information provided by the student; exercise judgment by adjusting or revising costs, contribution, need, or dependency status as exceptions to the prescribed process.
Analyze various system generated reports such as grades and enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid/scholarships under federal, state, and institutional guidelines; notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and suggests corrective action to restore award eligibility.
May hire, train, and supervise student employees.
May provide guidance to other financial aid/scholarship specialists; may make process recommendations for improved operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

Bachelor's degree in business, public policy, or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

2 years in student services, higher education student affairs, business, or a related field.

Preferred

Experience working with complex data and/or records services in a team environment.
2 years of progressive experience in financial aid.

SKILLS

Required

Proficient with written and verbal communication skills.
Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
Highly thorough and dependable.
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
Excellent organizational skills.
Friendly and service-oriented.
Demonstrates customer service skills.
Demonstrates ability to maintain confidential information.
Experience in a regulated environment.
Demonstrates excellent judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
Highly developed customer relations skills.
Ability to interpret federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations and required procedures associated with compliance.

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

The Division is looking for individuals who value and embrace innovation, change and entrepreneurial mindsets and approaches in advancing the mission of IU Indianapolis.

Work Location

IU Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana

Advertised Salary

$50,000.00 - $55,000.00 annually

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job Classification

Career Level: Career

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Student Services

Job Family: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring.

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Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships (Financial Aid/Scholarship Specialist)

Edtech.com's Summary

Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships (Financial Aid/Scholarship Specialist) Full Description

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