Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid - #261093

Edtech.com's Summary

Western Carolina University is hiring an Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid. This role provides comprehensive support and guidance to prospective and current students and their families on financial aid matters while administering federal, state, and institutional aid programs efficiently. The Assistant Director also participates in outreach initiatives like Open Houses and orientation sessions throughout the academic year.

Highlights

Serve as a resource for students, families, and affiliates on financial aid and university account details via email, in-person, and phone.
Assist with application verification, aid awarding, and personalized financial aid counseling.
Participate in departmental and university outreach events, including Open Houses and orientation.
Administer federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
Requires graduation from an accredited four-year college/university or equivalent education and relevant experience in financial aid or related customer-facing regulated environments.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Full-time, permanent position requiring 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.
Compensation based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and budget.
Works within the Student Financial Aid department.
WCU offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, tuition waivers, and paid leave.

Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid - #261093 Full Description

Western Carolina University has been ranked #3 in the nation on Forbes 2025 ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, out of the top 498 employers across all industries.

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Matthew Ellsworth at ellsworth@email.wcu.edu or 828-227-7290.

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number	EHRA1014P
Quick Link for Internal Postings	https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/32515
Classification Title	Assistant Director
Working Title	Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid - #261093
Department	Student Financial Aid
Anticipated Hiring Range	Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions.
About WCU	Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including: • 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. • 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. • 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. • 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary	The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a comprehensive and helpful resource for prospective and current students, their families, and other associated individuals. This role involves delivering exceptional customer service and guidance across multiple channels, including email, in-person consultation, and telephone, specifically concerning all facets of student financial aid and the reconciliation of their university account details. Additionally, this position is responsible for assisting in the efficient administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs. This support includes, but is not limited to, key functions such as application verification, aid awarding, and personalized financial aid counseling. This role will also actively participate in various departmental and university outreach initiatives, such as Open Houses, orientation sessions, and special financial aid informational events throughout the academic year.
Minimum Qualifications	Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; or An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible financial aid experience that provides the knowledge and competencies required to perform the role; or An equivalent combination of education and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in complex, regulated, customer-facing environments requiring interpretation and application of policies, review of documentation, problem resolution, and handling of confidential information (for example: higher education student services, banking, insurance, benefits administration, or public sector programs). Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
Preferred Qualifications
Position Type	Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week	40
Number of Months Per Year	12

Posting Text

Open Date	12/18/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants	Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Matthew Ellsworth at ellsworth@email.wcu.edu or 828-227-7290.
Background/E-Verify	Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification	All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE	Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety	The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Resume
List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you require sponsorship?
- Yes
- No

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Original Job Description