Director of Financial Aid

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Director of Financial Aid. The Director leads and manages the Financial Aid Office, oversees federal, state, and institutional student aid programs, administers scholarships, coordinates audits, and ensures compliance with regulations. They develop policies to support student recruitment and retention while managing budgets and supervising staff.

Highlights

Administers Title IV federal student aid, state aid, work-study programs, and scholarships
Leads a staff of nine full-time employees with supervisory and training responsibilities
Conducts statistical analyses, generates reports, and coordinates annual audits for federal and state agencies
Manages a financial aid budget and oversees institutional financial aid policies and procedures
Works closely with NCAA compliance officers to ensure athlete eligibility under Title IV and institutional guidelines
Requires bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of related experience including management
Valid driver’s license and successful background check required
Strong knowledge of higher education financial aid administration, counseling practices, business management, and accounting
Proficient computer skills with mainframe and PC systems
Salary range $65,539 - $87,310, commensurate with education and experience

Director of Financial Aid Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The application must be completed including all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing work history and education sections of the application.

USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition Program
Dependent Scholarships
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00812PO25
Job Family	Student Administrative Services
Job Function	Financial Aid
USC Market Title	Financial Aid Director
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133927
Job Level	E0 - Directors and Executives
Business Title (Internal Title)	Director of Financial Aid
Campus	Upstate
Work County	Spartanburg
College/Division	USC Upstate College/Division Level
Department	UPS Financial Aid
State Pay Band	7
Approved Starting Salary	$65,539
Advertised Salary Range	$65,539 - $87,310; Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Location of Vacancy	USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5pm; Some evenings and weekends as needed are required.
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Fiscal Accounting

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.
Veterans' Preference Statement	The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

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.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

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	Director of Financial Aid University of South Carolina Upstate STA00812PO25 Spartanburg, SC The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for one of the Enrollment Services departments, providing leadership, vision, and direction. Directs administration of all Title 4 federal student aid programs, state aid programs, federal and private work-study programs, and institutional scholarships, both academic and athletic. Conducts statistical analyses, generates reports and coordinates annual financial aid audits for internal, federal, and state agencies. The Director of Financial Aid creates, implements, and evaluates all processes with problem solving skills and has complete decision making authority with minimal supervision in a very complex setting. The Director is also responsible for budget management and the development of policies and procedures which enhance the recruitment and retention of students through effective, visible, automated, and timely delivery of financial aid services.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and at least 8 years of job related experience, including some prior management experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials	Valid driver’s license required.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Successful background check and a good driving record . Extensive knowledge of higher education and student financial aid administration. Extensive knowledge of counseling practices and principles. Knowledge of business management and general accounting/auditing practices and principles. Ability to work independently and effectively manages a variety of simultaneous activities. Ability to supervise, train and evaluate personnel. The successful candidate should have competent computer skills both on mainframe and on PC. Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; ability to build positive and effective relationships across the campus with faculty, staff, students by working in a transparent and collaborative decision- making environment. Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise and work as a part of a team, consisting of a staff from diverse backgrounds. Provide energetic, proactive, creative, and highly ethical leadership. Ability to comprehend and digest large amounts of information, and flexibility to adjust to competing priorities in work schedules.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Responsible for the administration of the Office of Financial Aid, including an annual dollar volume of over sixty million dollars in federal, state, institutional and external student and parent aid programs. Oversees the coordination of the athletic and academic scholarship programs. Serves as the primary liaison and resource person to outside constituencies concerning various tuition assistance programs. Serves as liaison between the office of financial aid and the SC Commission on Higher Education, SC Budget and Control Board, The College Board, lenders and guaranty agencies and related USC Upstate departments. Develops and implements office goals and objectives that support the mission of the University; assures compliance with federal state, NCAA, and institutional policies, by-laws and regulations.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	30

Job Duty	Establishes standards and determines a detailed awarding philosophy for financial aid packages to all appropriate recipients. Evaluates delivery of all financial aid programs and confirming that required information is represented on a comprehensive computer data management system. Reviews various financial aid software, file layouts and technical issues related to the timely delivery of financial aid. Assists with need analysis, awards and award adjustments; counsel students and parents and acknowledges miscellaneous correspondence to keep student and parents informed of financial aid.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	25

Job Duty	Responsible for the direct supervision of nine full-time employees and provides guidance in the areas of office personnel goals and assists in hiring/training of employees. Provides positive office environment for staff to serve needs of students.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Completes and submits the annual USC Upstate Fiscal Operations Report to the US Department of Education. Maintains Financial Aid Office operating budget. Directly responsible for numerous reconciliation and data reports to appropriate external agencies. Submits all annual required reports to the SC Commission of Higher Education. Currently, this represents an annual volume of over sixty million dollars. Responsible for ensuring Upstate is in compliance in all areas of financial aid disbursements.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Supervises the academic scholarship process; coordinates the application phase and awarding procedures to provide funding for top academic students.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10

Job Duty	Assists the NCAA Athletic Director and the NCAA Compliance Officer with the regulatory and compliance standards for athletes under NCAA, Title IV, and USC Upstate guidelines to ensure student athletes are in compliance for D1 athletics.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	5

Job Duty	Supervises community outreach efforts and implements objectives that enhance the communication between all University offices involved in the delivery of institutional and non-institutional funds to students. Conducts approximately 5-7 financial aid workshops each year with area high schools to inform students of financial aid options.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	5

Job Duty	Other duties as assigned.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	5

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	12/01/2025
Job Open Date	10/08/2025
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant	The application must be completed including all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing work history and education sections of the application. USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Program Dependent Scholarships Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195965
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 (*).

* This University of South Carolina Upstate position is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Do you wish to continue applying for this position?
- Yes
- No
* Are you willing and able to submit to a pre-employment background check that may include, but it is not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history as a condition of hire?
- Yes
- No
* Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and at least 8 years of job related experience, including some prior management experience?
- Yes
- No
* Do you have a valid driver's license and good driving record?
- Yes
- No
* The salary range for this position is $65,539 - $87,310 based on education and experience. Is this salary range acceptable to you?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

Other Supporting Documents

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Original Job Description