Assistant Director, Financial Aid

OVERVIEW: Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares its graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world.

 

Job Title:

Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Worker Type:

Regular

 

Pay Type:

Salary

 

Exempt Status:

Yes

 

Compensation Grade (Track/Level):

A3

 

Hiring Range (Commensurate with experience and qualifications):

$75,411.00-$100,548.00

 

Salary Ranges (All Compensation Grades):

Gallaudet University

 

Supervisory Organization (Department):

Financial Aid

 

Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director oversees the operational and regulatory infrastructure of the Office of Financial Aid.

 

Job Description:

• Trains staff on professional judgment practices, compliance procedures, and emerging regulatory guidance.

• Leads process management, ensures audit readiness, oversees reconciliation, and supports financial aid staff.

• Manages the full lifecycle of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals and Return to Title IV (R2T4) processing, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely resolution.

• Oversees the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program in collaboration with Human Resources and Career Success, including budget tracking and stipend disbursements.

• Coordinates reconciliation and quality control of all Title IV programs in coordination with the Financial Aid team.

• Makes professional judgment decisions and supports documentation in partnership with the Director.

• Serves as the primary liaison for internal and external audits, including preparing and submitting documentation and responding to findings.

• Develops and maintains internal quality assurance procedures to monitor compliance and processing accuracy.

• Ensures timely and accurate submission of federal and institutional reports (e.g., FISAP, IPEDS, Common Data Set, Cohort Default Rates).

• Maintains collaborative partnerships with loan servicers, scholarship providers, auditors, and financial aid vendors.

• Coordinates with the Financial Aid team to resolve data transfer and interface issues related to federal and institutional systems.

• Administers institutional scholarship awarding in alignment with fund restrictions and university financial aid strategies

• Monitors institutional scholarship budgets to ensure efficient and effective use of funding.

• Coordinates and tracks federal verification processes and compliance activities.

• Leads the creation and dissemination of federally mandated consumer information, ensuring compliance with disclosure regulations.

• Promotes financial literacy and student debt management initiatives, including entrance and exit loan counseling.

• Maintains operational documentation and supports cross-training initiatives across the financial aid team.

• Stays current on federal and state regulatory changes, assess their impact, and revise internal policies and communication materials accordingly.

• Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co-workers and supervisors.

• Demonstrates a genuine commitment to belonging in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.

• Serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX; and commits to completing Title IX training and other compliance requirements on an annual basis.

• Prioritizes safety in the workplace as a collective responsibility for the well-being of employees and fosters a culture of safety that is integral to our success, including strict adherence to safety procedures and protocols, as well as promptly reporting any safety hazards or incidents.

• Performs related and other duties as needed.

Req