Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.  

 

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services is a key member of Whitman College’s Financial Aid team, supporting the administration and delivery of institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs for incoming and returning students. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid Services, the Assistant Director works closely with students, families, and campus partners to ensure accurate aid processing, regulatory compliance, and high‑quality service. This position plays a critical role in managing and utilizing financial aid technology systems, serving as a liaison between the Financial Aid Office and multiple campus departments.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Student & Family Engagement (30%)

• Work collaboratively with students and families by greeting visitors and responding to phone calls and emails.
• Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and professional approach in all student‑ and family‑facing interactions.

Financial Aid Administration & Compliance (30%)

• Process and administer institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs for incoming and returning students.
• Perform federal verification, including requesting documentation and making required adjustments based on verified data.
• Remain current on all applicable state and federal financial aid regulations and ensure compliance.
• Conduct FAFSA/CSS Profile file review for need analysis used to determine eligibility for institutional and federal financial aid.
• Package financial aid based on annual award charts, while conducting holistic reviews of individual student eligibility.

Systems, Data & Technical Operations (30%)

• Utilize and manage multiple financial aid and student information systems, including Colleague, PowerFAIDS, IDOC, and Slate, FSA Partner portal, NSLDS, and COD.
• Complete data uploads and processing related to fee waivers, award adjustments, private loan processing, and over‑award reporting.
• Prepare and review loan documentation, verify eligibility, and adjust student aid as needed.

Collaboration & Office Support (5%)

• Serve as a primary liaison with campus partners that interact with Financial Aid Services, including Residence Life and the Career and Community Engagement Center.
• Provide operational back‑up to the Financial Aid Counselor on key office functions.

 Evolving Responsibilities (5%)

• Center diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism as guiding principles when approaching financial aid work.
• Contribute to additional initiatives as needed, adapting to evolving priorities and organizational needs.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility, accuracy and attention to detail in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with common office and web‑based technologies, including Microsoft and Google productivity tools, databases, and customer relatio