Associate Director of Financial Aid

The Associate Director of Financial Aid provides essential leadership in managing and overseeing the Pell Grant Program, Direct Student Loan Program, and Student Athletic Awards. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this position ensures compliance with all federal regulations related to these key programs. Responsibilities include supervising staff, providing timely and accurate processing and reconciliation, and liaising for program compliance, reporting, and audits. The Associate Director strategically supports student success through effective aid administration and responsible financial counseling.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, education, public administration, or a related field
• 2 to 5 years’ experience in financial aid administration, with direct involvement in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and/or athletic awards

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in higher education administration, business, or related field
• In-depth knowledge of federal Title IV programs, including Pell Grant, Direct Loan, and athletic aid compliance
• Experience with student financial aid systems such as COD, NSLDS, Oracle SFP, and Ellucian Colleague
• Strong background in policy compliance, audit preparation, and program reporting
• Supervisory or team leadership experience in a higher education environment

 

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Administer and monitor the Federal Pell Grant Program, including eligibility determination, awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting.
2. Oversee the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, including origination, disbursement, reconciliation, borrower counseling, and compliance with Department of Education regulations.
3. Manage the awarding, monitoring, and compliance of Student Athletic Awards, coordinating with Athletics and Compliance offices to ensure eligibility and policy alignment.
4. Supervise and train financial aid staff in the accurate processing of Pell, loan, and athletic award programs.
5. Serve as a primary point of contact for federal program audits and reporting requirements for Pell, Direct Loans, and athletic scholarships.
6. Interpret and implement federal and institutional policies related to Title IV aid and ensure institutional compliance.
7. Collaborate with campus partners including Admissions, Records, Business Services, and Athletics to support seamless service delivery.
8. Utilize systems such as COD, NSLDS, and Oracle SFP for aid processing, data tracking, and reporting.
9. Counsel students and families on financial aid eligibility, loan borrowing responsibilities, and athletic award guidelines.
10. Contribute to policy development, strategic planning, and process improvement within the financial aid office.
11. Represent the Financial Aid Office at orientations, athletic department meetings, and college events.
12. Perform other duties as assigned by the District Director for Financial Aid in support of the college’s mission and goals.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Expertise in federal Pell Grant and Direct Loan program regulations and systems
• Knowledge of athletic scholarship awarding processes and eligibility requirements
• Ability to supervise, train, and lead staff in aid processing and student service
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy for awarding, reconciliation, and compliance
• Excellent communication skills for financial aid counseling and cross-departmental collaboration
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and solve problems effectively in a fast-paced environment

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do the following:

• Communicate with others in person, phone, and via email
• Sit, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds
• Must have ability to walk, climb stairs, stand, bend, kneel, and squat

APPLICATION

To apply, please submit and attach the following:

• Application at www.northwestms.edu
• Resume
• Transcript(s)
• Three (3) Professional References:  Name, Organization, Email Address and Telephone Number

 

Northwest Mississippi Community College is a two-year, open access public community college primarily serving 11 counties in northwest Mississippi. Our vision states that “Northwest Mississippi Community