Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Job Description

At SUNY Oneonta, we are hiring for a Director of Financial Aid

and Scholarships, a key campus leader who will guide the

University's financial aid strategy and operations. Reporting to

the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Initiatives,

you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for

the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, managing staff,

administering federal, state, and institutional aid programs,

ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding scholarship strategy,

while overseeing daily operations, system integrity, policy

development, and serving as the campus expert on financial aid and

enrollment implications.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is a vital partner in

SUNY Oneonta's strategic enrollment efforts, working

collaboratively across campus to support recruitment, retention,

and degree completion. The team administers a comprehensive range

of aid programs and distributes more than $65 million annually to

approximately 5,500 students. Services include need-based aid,

merit scholarships, student employment, and loans, all supported by

dedicated advisors who guide students through the financial aid

process. The department also upholds essential policies, ensures

compliance with federal and state regulations, protects student

rights, and contributes to initiatives that promote financial

literacy and long-term student success.

To learn more about the University and the department, please visit

https://suny.oneonta.edu/ and

https://suny.oneonta.edu/about/university-offices/financial-aid-and-scholarships

.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Providing leadership, strategic direction, and operational

oversight of the University's Financial Aid and Scholarships

Office, including staff supervision, budgeting, and daily

operations.

• Administering all institutional, federal, and state financial

aid programs, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and high-quality

service delivery.

• Guiding campus-wide scholarship and grant-strategy development

to support recruitment, retention, and student success goals.

• Supervising, training, and leading a high-performing financial

aid team.

• Managing daily operations, including system upgrades, data

integrity, and student information systems, ensuring effective

workflow, professional development, and continuous

improvement.

• Serving as the subject matter expert for campus stakeholders on

financial aid policy, regulations, and strategic implications for

enrollment.

• Overseeing all regulatory reporting requirements with accuracy

and timeliness.

• Ensuring compliance with Title IV, New York State, SUNY, and

institutional policies.

• Foster strong partnerships with Enrollment Services, Student

Accounts, Admissions, Academic Affairs, and other campus

units.

• Representing the Financial Aid Office at the administrative

level and participate in strategic planning discussions.

• Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and

long-range planning for the financial aid office to optimize aid

delivery.

Salary: $100,000 - $110,000 commensurate with experience.

SUNY Oneonta is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying

employer. Information on SUNY's comprehensive benefits offerings

can be found at https://www.suny.edu/benefits . Visa sponsorship is

not available for this position.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or

university.

• Minimum of five years of supervisory or managerial experience

in an assistant director, associate director, or director-level

financial aid role at a Title IV-eligible U.S. institution.

• Demonstrated experience supervising and managing staff.
• Experience coordinating federal, state, and institutional

financial aid and scholarship programs.

• Experience advising senior institutional leadership on

financial aid strategy and its role in enrollment management and

student success.

• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and resolve situations

professionally.

• Evidence of commitment to high-quality customer service.
• Experience using integrated student information systems.
• Excellent written communication skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university.
• At least five years of experience as a financial aid director

(or equivalent).

• Knowledge of and experience administering New York State

programs such as TAP and APTS.

• Experience with Ellucian Banner Financial Aid.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership on

enrollment-focused initiatives.

• Experience identifying operational challenges, implementing

solutions, managing projects, and improving efficiency through

technology.

• Experience working with and serving diverse populations.

Additional Information

SUNY Oneonta enrolls about 5,500 students who pursue bachelor's or

master's degrees or certificates in one of 70-plus academic

programs. Known as an exemplary residential campus that values

inclusion, service and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing

community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially, and

live purposefully.

The university is located in the City of Oneonta, nestled in the

northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains about a four-hour

drive from New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. With a

population just shy of 14,000, Oneonta is one of the 20 Most

Picturesque Small Towns in America, according to Microsoft News.

The natural beauty of the region is breathtaking year-round. Each

season offers outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating,

swimming, and skiing. Employees give SUNY Oneonta high marks for

work/life balance, management, and culture. The university's

indeed.com rating is 4.4, with one recent review noting that the

people are what make SUNY Oneonta so special.

SUNY Oneonta values a diverse university community. Please visit

our website on diversity at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/diversity . Moreover, the

University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and protected

veterans are encouraged to apply. "At SUNY Oneonta, we believe

that diversity is an asset and a source of strength that energizes

our collective growth and innovation." - President Alberto

Cardelle.

Application Instructions

To apply online go to: http://oneonta.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=197877

. Please upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for

three professional references (required).

For other employment and regional opportunities, please visit our

website at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/about-oneonta/employment

.