Financial Aid Senior Assistant Director

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds to inquiries from students, parents, and campus staff regarding admission status, financial aid programs, requirements, eligibility, application procedures, form completion, award status, and deadlines
• Counsels and advises students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, indebtedness, money management and financial planning
• Verifies and analyzes financial data to determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, state, donor and/or institutional guidelines for new, continuing, transfer, and re-entry students
• Facilitates financial aid workshops, orientations, and outreach/admissions events to educate students and families about financial aid options and responsibilities
• Performs applicable tuition calculations and adjustments. Determines any required fund returns
• Conducts audits to ensure accurate awards, valid supporting document, and compliance with applicable policies, laws, and regulations
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of financial aid programs, including scholarships, emergency loans, and eligibility requirements
• Skill in multi-tasking, project management, prioritization, and organization
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with financial aid technologies and computerized systems to collect, document, synthesize, and process information
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy, cultural awareness, and confidentiality

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 6 years of relevant experience
• Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Specialized Contributor Level 3 - A senior-level role requiring broad understanding of the profession or field of work. Independently leads diverse and often complex assignments, projects, or programs. May act as a mentor and guide less experienced staff.

 

Additional Description

Under the direction of the Associate Director, the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides leadership for key financial aid operations, compliance functions, and student affordability initiatives. This role independently administers complex financial aid programs, supports recruitment and retention through accurate aid guidance, leads policy and process improvements, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The position also serves as a subject-matter expert for assigned programs such as verification, R2T4, alternative/private loans, and OB3-related aid processing.

Essential Key Responsibilities

• Lead assigned financial aid programs, including policy development, procedures, training, and compliance oversight.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for verification, R2T4, alternative loans, OB3 processing, and related compliance areas.
• Assist with compliance work related to OB3, graduate aid repackaging, federal loan changes, and affordability planning.
• Oversee alternative/private loan processes, including lender evaluation, RFP coordination, regulatory compliance, and family guidance.
• Develop and deliver training for OFAS staff and campus partners on assigned programs, systems, regulations, and process changes.
• Apply professional judgment to determine aid eligibility, resolve complex issues, adjust awards, and ensure compliant aid administration.
• Support recruitment, enrollment, and retention through accurate financial aid guidance during peak decision-making periods.
• Analyze reports, student records, aid data, and system outputs to determine eligibility, resolve discrepancies, and maintain data integrity.
• Collaborate with Registrar, Student Financial Services, Enrollment Systems and Analytics, academic partners, and other departments to ensure consistent aid policies and practices.
• Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate assigned staff, when applicable, while supporting effective program execution.
• Improve office operations, student communications, technology use, and service delivery to strengthen efficiency and the student experience.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to students, families, colleagues, campus partners, and community stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

FLSA Category

Exempt

Work Location

On Campus

Compensation

$65,000-$75,000 per year

Application Materials

When you are ready to complete an application for this position please be prepared to submit the below requested information.  This will be required to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to careers@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.