Director of Financial Aid

Director of Financial Aid

• Manage all aspects of the Office of Financial Aid, including strategic leadership, compliance, operations, and staff development.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive financial aid strategy aligned with institutional enrollment and retention goals.
  • Formulate and update financial aid policies and procedures in response to changing regulations and best practices.
  • Generate and analyze data-driven reports to evaluate financial aid trends, packaging effectiveness, and student outcomes.
• Compliance & Program Administration
  • Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, state aid programs, and compliance requirements across varied academic terms and delivery models.
  • Oversee the administration and reconciliation of all financial aid programs, including federal Pell, Direct Loans, PLUS, SEOG, FWS, private loans, and institutional scholarships.
  • Manage the federal verification process, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reviews, R2T4 calculations, and appeals.
  • Prepare for and successfully manage internal and external audits, including the Single Audit and Department of Education submissions.
  • Demonstrated experience managing Title IV federal financial aid for distance/online education, graduate-level programs, and academic calendars utilizing non-standard terms.
• Operational Management
  • Direct the daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring timely and accurate packaging, awarding, disbursement, and reporting.
  • Oversee the effective utilization of financial aid management systems (currently Jenzabar), including system setup, optimization, and training.
  • Serve as the Destination Point Administrator for Federal Student Aid, managing access to FSA systems and services.
• Student & Family Support
  • Provide accessible, comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families.
  • Develop clear communication strategies to keep students informed about financial aid opportunities, processes, and deadlines.
  • Ensure that web, print, and digital resources are accurate, up-to-date, and student-centered.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and evaluate financial aid staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
  • Provide training and professional development to ensure staff remain current on regulations, systems, and best practices.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for complex or sensitive financial aid cases.

• The ideal candidate will bring both technical expertise and a compassionate, mission-driven approach to helping students access a Southern Virginia University education
• Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, state aid programs, and compliance requirements across varied academic terms and delivery models
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Strong communication skills with the ability to counsel students and families with empathy and clarity
• Demonstrated experience managing Title IV federal financial aid for distance/online education, graduate-level programs, and academic calendars utilizing non-standard terms
• Commitment to the mission and values of Southern Virginia University

• Master’s degree in business, higher education administration, or a related field
• 3–5+ years of progressively responsible financial aid leadership experience in an institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online/distance learning
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and financial aid systems (Jenzabar experience preferred)
• Experience using data analytics or modeling to inform financial aid strategy
• Proven expertise navigating Department of Education guidelines for non-standard term disbursement timing, modules, academic progress tracking, and non-traditional academic calendars
• Experience managing donor or endowed scholarships in coordination with advancement/development offices