Assistant Director Financial Aid

Position Title:

Assistant Director Financial Aid

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree.
NASFAA credentials in multiple topic areas.
Experience managing and reconciling federal and state financial aid programs (e.g., Workday Student, COD, NSLDS).
Supervisory experience in a financial aid or higher education setting.
Knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, including Return of Title IV Funds and SAP.
Experience with NCAA athletic aid compliance and scholarship coordination.
Leadership experience managing a functional team or unit with budgeting responsibilities.
 Experience tracking and using KPIs or service metrics to improve operations.
Familiarity with financial aid policies, systems, and processes

Job Description:

The Assistant Director Financial Aid leads the Funds Management Unit within the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), overseeing daily operations and long-term planning for multiple functional teams. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, institutional, and NCAA regulations, manages aid awarding and reconciliation, and provides strategic oversight of fund management processes. The position also supervises staff, supports enrollment goals, and represents OSFA on institutional committees, sharing key updates with leadership and team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Set team directives and align work with the subdivision’s strategic plan.

• Build strong, effective teams that apply diverse skills to achieve common goals.

• Maintain team staffing plans and collaborate with HR and unit leaders on workforce strategies.

• Exercise full supervisory responsibilities, including hiring, coaching, and performance management.

• Conduct regular performance check-ins, annual reviews, and team meetings.

• Ensure team accountability, high engagement, and alignment with ISU Principles of Community.

• Manage team projects, budget planning, and resource allocation.

• Develop and track performance metrics, KPIs, and service levels for assigned teams.

• Oversee origination, disbursement, and reconciliation of federal/state aid programs using systems such as Workday, COD, NSLDS, and ICAPS.

• Train and onboard staff in state and federal aid regulations.

• Supervise Return of Title IV Funds processes and ensure timely resolution of aid-related holds and overawards.

• Ensure proper management of OSFA fund management policies and procedures.

• Supervise staff responsible for athletic aid compliance and oversee NCAA Athletics Aid reporting.

• Attend monthly athletic compliance meetings and possibly annual NCAA training.

• Ensure cross-training within the Funds Management team to support athletic aid responsibilities.

• Provide student and family counseling related to financial aid processes, virtually or in-person.

About the Office of Student Financial Aid

The Office of Student Financial Aid at Iowa State University is committed to empowering over 85% of undergraduate students through the administration of more than $400 million in financial assistance annually. As a unit within the Division of Academic Affairs, our team helps students and their families understand, apply for, and manage financial aid throughout their academic journey. We are driven by values of student success, innovation, collaboration, and respect. Our supportive work environment emphasizes personal and professional growth, with opportunities for training, development, and meaningful contributions to the university’s mission. Join us in making college more accessible and affordable for Iowa State students.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Example of Duties
• Manages one or more areas within financial aid requiring specialized knowledge.
• Ensures federal, state, university, and other regulatory body expectations are met.
• Administers a budget.
• Supervises employees.
• May assist students and families.
• May perform specialized work related to an area of financial aid.

Level Guidelines
• Aware of key annual objectives of department or work unit
• Understands linkage between daily activities and achievement of annual objectives of department/work unit and explains to direct reports
• Focus on ISU’s mission and meeting department or work unit goals
• Supervises a small department or work team