Director of Financial Aid

Position Details

Position Information

Budget Title

Director of Financial Aid

Campus Title

Director of Financial Aid

School/Division

Finance and Management, Division of

Department

Financial Aid Office

Staff Sub-Type

Staff & Administration

Salary Level

SL5

Salary Range

$110,000 + depending on experience (DOE)

Salary Determination

Starting salary rates are based on multiples factors which may

include the position’s major responsibilities, the applicant’s

background including education, work experience, and key

competencies, the university’s strategic priorities, internal peer

equity and external market analyses, applicable federal, state, and

local laws and negotiated labor contracts.

Position Effort

Full-Time

If Part-Time, enter FTE

Is this a temporary position?

No

If Temporary, enter End Date

Position Summary

The Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President for

Finance and Management and provides strategic leadership and

administrative oversight for all financial aid operations. The

Director ensures compliance with federal, New York State, and

institutional regulations while advancing equitable access to

higher education. Serving as the university’s Chief Title IV

Financial Aid Administrator, the Director is responsible for the

effective administration of federal, state, and institutional

financial aid programs. This position leads a team of financial aid

professionals, oversees operational processes, develops and

implements policies and procedures, and collaborates with

colleagues across the University to deliver exceptional service to

students and their families. The Director supports university

enrollment and student success goals through effective financial

aid strategy, administration, and stewardship.

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many

offer permanency.

• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance,

various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or

parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts,

long term disability and tuition reimbursement.

• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in

all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is

free for employees to use, with membership options for families.

Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s

approval.

• Professional development opportunities exist through training,

continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference

travel, based on funding.

• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to

arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience

Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the

Financial Aid Office.

• Serve as the institution’s Chief Title IV Financial Aid

Administrator.

• Hire, onboard, and train staff. Provide clear instructions,

regular feedback, and coaching. Communicate performance

expectations and goals, complete performance programs and

evaluations in a timely manner. Nurture the development of staff by

identifying opportunities for training and career development.

• Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust

assignments as needed. Plan, organize and monitor the progress of

work and goal completion.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented culture

focused on student success.

• Articulate a vision that unites team members/staff and define

departmental objectives and goals to establish a common purpose.

Assess performance metrics, and implement continuous process

improvements.

• Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance

with university policies and state and federal laws.

• Act as a liaison between staff and senior management, relaying

information in both directions. Facilitate open communication and

collaboration within the office. Address and help resolve staff

issues and workplace concerns.

• Support staff participation in professional development,

training, conferences, and professional associations to maintain

current knowledge of financial aid regulations, best practices, and

emerging trends.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with all federal Title IV regulations,

New York State financial aid programs, system, and institutional

policies.

• Interpret, communicate, and implement changes to federal and

state financial aid regulations.

• Develop, maintain, and regularly update the Financial Aid

Policies and Procedures Manual.

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard

financial aid resources and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Coordinate audit activities and respond to federal, state, and

institutional reporting requirements.

Financial Aid Operations

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing, verification,

awarding, and disbursement of financial aid.

• Monitor student eligibility requirements, including

Satisfactory Academic Progress ( SAP ), and ensure timely

communication regarding eligibility changes.

• Prepare and submit all required federal, state, and

institutional reports and applications.

• Manage the department’s annual operating budget and monitor

expenditures.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Partner with Information Technology and system administration

to optimize Ellucian Banner financial aid processes.

• Lead testing, implementation, and enhancement of Banner

functionality and related technologies.

• Develop and utilize data reporting tools to improve operational

efficiency, compliance, and decision-making.

• Identify opportunities for automation and continuous

improvement to enhance student service and operational

effectiveness.

Campus Collaboration

• Serve as a collaborative partner with campus stakeholders to

provide an integrated, student-centered financial aid

experience.

• Provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and

administrators regarding financial aid regulations, policies, and

their impact on student eligibility.

• Represent SUNY Cortland with federal, state, and professional

organizations as appropriate.

• Participate in outreach, recruitment, financial aid awareness,

and student engagement activities as appropriate.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to the Vice President for Finance and Management
• Supervises the professional financial aid staff
• Collaborates with university stakeholders, as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited

institution.

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in financial

aid administration, including at least two years in a supervisory

or leadership role.

• Demonstrated expertise in Title IV federal financial aid

regulations and New York State financial aid programs, including

TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship.

• Experience administering financial aid using Ellucian Banner or

a comparable student information system.

• Demonstrated experience managing departmental budgets and

financial resources.

• Demonstrated success supervising, mentoring, and developing

professional staff.

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and

student-centered environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business

Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Experience working within the SUNY system or another public

higher education institution.

• Experience with New York State Higher Education Services

Corporation ( HESC ) systems and reporting.

• Certified Financial Aid Administrator ( CFAA ) credential or

equivalent professional certification.

• Demonstrated experience leading technology implementations,

business process improvements, or organizational change

initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal Title IV and New York State financial aid

regulations, programs, and compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of financial aid administration practices, student

information systems, and related technologies, preferably Ellucian

Banner.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and

decision-making skills.

• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

skills.

• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and

policies.

• Ability to utilize data and reporting tools to support

decision-making and operational effectiveness.

• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional

and support staff

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working

relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and

integrity.

• Ability to provide strategic leadership that advances

compliance, enrollment objectives, and student success.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in

the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides

accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S.

body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University

of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous

undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences,

education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY

Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a

well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The

University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on

Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,”

fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an

impressive network of alumni making a difference in education,

business, government, fitness, medicine and many other

fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY Cortland is an AA/ EEO / ADA employer and encourages

applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities,

and members of underrepresented groups.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S26025

Review Start Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11571

Special Instructions

Special Instructions to Applicant

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Are you in default on a federal student loan?
• No
• Yes
• * Are you currently authorized to work in the United States on

a full-time basis as visa sponsorship is not available for this

position?

• Yes
• No
• * Do you or will you need visa sponsorship?
• Yes
• No
• Are you currently employed by SUNY Cortland? If so, please

indicate what type of employee.

• UUP Professional
• UUP Faculty
• Management Confidential
• Research Foundation
• Represented by CSEA, PBANYS or PEF
• Full Time Lecturer

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents