University of South Carolina is hiring an Associate Director of Financial Aid. The role involves ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations while managing student aid programs, maintaining financial aid technology systems, and providing specialized support for need-based grants. The Associate Director also supervises staff, oversees accurate processing of aid funds, and supports student financial counseling and outreach activities.
Highlights
Monitors and ensures regulatory compliance for federal and state student aid programs.
Manages financial aid technology systems including Banner and Self-Service for awarding and disbursement processes.
Validates student eligibility for need-based state and federal grant programs and reconciles funds.
Supervises compliance related to NSLDS transfer/monitoring and manages approximately $25 million in federal aid programs.
Advises students and parents on financial aid procedures and participates in outreach and educational workshops.
Requires proficiency with Banner, FSA systems, EdConnect, and federal/state financial aid regulations.
Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 4 years of related experience; preference given to candidates with a master’s degree and 5 years as an Assistant Director in Financial Aid.
Strong supervisory, interpersonal skills, and familiarity with MS Office and enterprise systems.
Starting salary is $59,581 with salary commensurate with qualifications.
Department: AIK Financial Aid, University of South Carolina Aiken College/Division Level.
In addition to completing the online application, please also upload your resume and a separate cover letter.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 23, 2025.
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Logo | Posting Number | STA00727PO25 Job Family | Student Administrative Services Job Function | Financial Aid USC Market Title | Financial Aid Officer Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/177255 Job Level | P4 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) | Assoc Director, Financial Aid Campus | Aiken Work County | Aiken College/Division | USC Aiken College/Division Level Department | AIK Financial Aid State Pay Band | 7 Approved Starting Salary | $59,581 Advertised Salary Range | Salary commensurate with qualifications Location of Vacancy | Part/Full Time | Full Time Hours per Week | 37.5 Work Schedule | Basis | 12 months Job Search Category | Other Professional
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | Associate Director of Financial Aid (Financial Aid Manager II), Minimum Salary: $59,581 per year, USCA Financial Aid The Associate Director of Financial Aid ensures institutional compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations while managing various student aid programs. This role combines regulatory expertise, systems management, and student service to support access to higher education. The position requires proficiency with Banner, FSA systems, EdConnect, and federal and state regulations. The Associate Director plays a critical role in maintaining compliance oversight, managing technology systems, and providing specialized support for need-based grant programs while supervising staff and ensuring accurate processing of financial aid funds. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Strong supervisory and interpersonal skills, keen attention to detail, familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Preferred: Master’s degree and 5 years of previous experience as an Assistant Director in Financial Aid. Direct experience with Banner Technology and supervisory experience. Additionally, preference will be given to those with experience in Institutional Methodology (IM), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and Direct Loan and Student Employment processing in Banner. Application deadline: September 23, 2025. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. USC Aiken is an AA/EOE. Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials | Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree and 5 years of previous experience as an Assistant Director in Financial Aid. Direct experience with Banner Technology and supervisory experience. Additionally, preference will be given to those with experience in Institutional Methodology (IM), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and Direct Loan and Student Employment processing in Banner. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | Strong supervisory and interpersonal skills, keen attention to detail, familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications.
Job Duties
Job Duty | Monitors regulatory compliance for federal and state student aid programs. Researches regulation updates, maintains policy and procedure manual, and recommends compliance solutions to the Director. Maintains current knowledge of regulations, policies, and eligibility criteria for financial aid programs. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Operates and maintains financial aid technology systems including Banner and Self-Service. Executes operational processes for awarding, disbursement, and tracking. Assists the Director in administration of financial aid programs, policy implementation, and development of award tracking operations to ensure compliance and provide accurate fiscal management reports. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Validates student eligibility for SC State Need-Based Grant (SNBG) and federal need-based programs including Pell Grants and SEOG. Verifies award accuracy, reviews disbursement reports, and reconciles funds for reporting requirements. Assists in determining over-awards or over-payments and initiates corrective action. Reviews student financial data to ensure compliance with federal awarding regulations. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20Job Duty | Oversees NSLDS transfer/monitoring compliance. Supervises integration of data from federal agencies, other institutions, and family financial records to ensure proper accounting of citizenship status, loan history, enrollment status, and degree attainment in automated awarding processes for approximately $25 million in federal aid programs. Trains staff on regulatory and systems updates and monitors work for compliance accuracy. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20Job Duty | Advises and counsels students and parents regarding financial aid procedures, eligibility requirements, and availability of federal, state, and institutional aid. Participates in outreach activities and develops financial aid information through brochures, literature, and workshops for students, parents, and community groups. Performs other duties as assigned. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 10
Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive | No Hazardous weather category | Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies | 1 Desired Start Date | Job Open Date | 09/02/2025 Job Close Date | 09/23/2025 Open Until Filled | No Special Instructions to Applicant | In addition to completing the online application, please also upload your resume and a separate cover letter.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 23, 2025. Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194270 EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at least a Bachelor's Degree in a job related field and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
Yes
No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
Optional Documents
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