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Financial Aid Director

POSITION DETAILS

York College seeks a transformational leader, a subject matter expert to serve as its next Director of Financial Aid.

Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention Management, the Director of Financial Aid is student focused, tactful and has superior customer service acumen. The Director has a strong focus on professional development for all staff and models positive, solution- oriented leadership in difficult circumstances. The Director specializes in utilizing financial tools, scholarships, and financial literacy to enhance retention and student success. The Director of Financial Aid is a pivotal member of the Enrollment & Retention Management Team and is charged with increasing understanding of the importance of early filing and ensuring that communication is interactive and student focused. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the leadership, administration, and strategic direction of the College’s comprehensive student financial aid program. This includes federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs, as well as the development of financial literacy initiatives to promote student success. The Director ensures regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and a student-centered approach that fosters access, equity, and retention.

Responsibilities include:

- Provide vision and direction for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all financial aid operations and services.

- Develop policies and procedures consistent with federal, state, and CUNY regulations to ensure compliance and promote equitable student support.

- Use data-driven analysis to inform financial aid awarding strategies that support recruitment, retention, and completion goals.

- Lead efforts to streamline financial aid processes and enhance student satisfaction through technology, automation, and communication improvements.

- Ensure accurate administration, reconciliation, and reporting of all Title IV, state, and institutional aid programs in accordance with federal and CUNY regulations.

- Oversee internal audits, program reviews, and compliance reporting to federal and state agencies.

- Collaborate with the Finance Office to monitor financial aid expenditures, refunds, and fund disbursements to maintain fiscal accuracy and transparency.

- Participate in financial forecasting, budgeting, and year-end close-out activities to ensure alignment between financial aid awards and institutional financial planning.

- Serve as the primary liaison between Financial Aid and Bursar’s Offices to ensure seamless coordination of student billing, refunds, and disbursement processes.

- Work jointly with the Bursar and Finance Office to resolve student account discrepancies, improve refund timelines, and strengthen financial literacy initiatives.

- Contribute to the development of institutional policies related to tuition payment plans, holds, and collections to support student persistence while protecting institutional revenue.

- Provide ongoing training and professional development for staff to remain current on federal, state, and CUNY policies and technologies.

- Communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, and campus partners about financial aid policies, deadlines, and resources.

- Serve as a key member of the Enrollment and Retention Management and Finance leadership teams, contributing to cross-divisional initiatives that support student success and fiscal sustainability.

- Oversee the use of financial aid systems (e.g., CUNYfirst, NSLDS, TAP, and related platforms) to ensure data integrity and timely processing.

- Collaborate with Information Technology and CUNY Central to implement system enhancements and ensure compliance with data security standards.

- Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree and eight years' related experience required.

_PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS_

+ Master’s degree in Higher Education, Data analytics, Accounting, or related field.

+ 5+ years in a supervisory/leadership role in a Financial Aid office.

+ Exemplary communication skills with all internal and external stakeholders.

+ Experience and comfortability presenting financial aid information to large audiences of student stakeholders, not limited to parents, students, faculty, and college leadership.

+ Deep understanding of all financial aid best practices in federal, state, and merit scholarship- based aid.

+ Track record of strong supervisory experience and a commitment to the professional development of staff along with an ability to provide honest and constant professional feedback to staff while upholding standards of excellence.

+ Experience with Peoplesoft (or similar student information system), CRM technologies, and EAB Navigate.

+ Familiarity with the most recent methods of data collection, research methodologies, and web-based technology as it relates to financial aid; and be able to adapt to changing environments, technology, policies, legislation, and the needs of the students.

+ Be available for occasional evenings and weekends.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Develops and oversees student financial aid programs in accordance with Federal/State laws and regulations and University guidelines.

- Develops and interprets financial aid policies and procedures with regard to Federal and NY State programs such as internal loan programs, all state and federal loan programs, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, College Work Study, and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

- Reports on general and fiscal matters such as program expenditures, projections of full-year spending potential, and analyses of spending patterns

- Authorizes the disbursement of funds

- Monitors compliance with Federal and State financial aid regulations, developing and implementing compliance procedures

- Serves as College liaison to Federal, State, local and professional agencies on financial aid matters

- Assures that the Financial Aid function works effectively with other College units (e.g., Admissions, Registrar, Bursar)

- Manages financial aid staffing, development, and evaluation

- Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$141,643 - 155,388 - Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references (email and telephone). Please upload all materials as ONE DOCUMENT in doc, pdf, or rtf format.

You may only apply online through the CUNY.edu job board.

To apply:

Please go to www.CUNY.jobs.

Filter by Job Location by clicking on York College. The title of this position is Financial Aid Director, Job ID # 31218. Click on the title to view the entire job announcement.

Click the ‘Apply Now’ tab and follow the prompts from there, including creating an account or logging into a previously created account.

York College/CUNY is an EEO/AA/IRCA/ADA Employer.

CLOSING DATE

October 31, 2025

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

31218

Location

York College