🚀 Director of Financial Aid (On-Site) - $1,000 Sign-On Bonus

Overview

Director of Financial Aid (On-Site) - $1,000 Sign-On Bonus at Arizona College of Nursing. This role leads the campus Financial Aid department, overseeing a team of Financial Aid Officers and providing timely and accurate support from initial enrollment through graduation. Depending on campus size, this role may also manage a personal caseload of students, offering individualized financial aid counseling and support. The DFA is responsible for achieving high service levels, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations, and driving continuous improvement in processes, outcomes, and student experience.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development
  • Recruit, onboard and retain top talent to build a high-performing FA team aligned with institutional values and goals.
  • Cultivate a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Deliver ongoing training and development, including both competencies and soft skills, using coaching, data, and quality assurance insights.
  • Lead regular team meetings and one-on-one check-ins to assess performance, provide actionable feedback, and address challenges or gaps.
• Financial Aid Operations & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end financial aid operations for assigned campuses, ensuring timely and accurate packaging for new and continuing students.
  • Manage caseload distribution, monitor workloads and reallocate assignments to maintain service-level agreements and optimize team performance.
  • Leverage data and performance metrics to identify trends, uncover inefficiencies, and implement improvements that align with institutional goals.
  • Maintain accurate and compliant student records across Anthology/Nexus and all relevant federal systems, ensuring data integrity and adherence to regulatory standards.
  • Oversee proactive student outreach via phone, email, and text to support financial aid awareness, resolve issues, and enhance engagement throughout the process.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • Maintain current knowledge of Title IV, state, and institutional aid regulations.
  • Conduct regular internal audits and proactively correct errors to ensure audit readiness.
  • Ensure accurate documentation supports all awarding and disbursement activities.
  • Collaborate with the QA team to address findings and strengthen compliance practices.
• Student Advising & Support
  • Counsel students and families on financial aid options, including federal aid, institutional loans, scholarships, agency assistance, and repayment strategies.
  • Resolve escalated student concerns with empathy, urgency, and a solutions-focused mindset.
  • Partner with campus departments to ensure students receive holistic support for student success.
• Strategic Engagement & Collaboration
  • Work with the Regional Director of Financial Aid and campus leadership to set annual goals and key initiatives.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance student experience and operational efficiency.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects that support institutional growth, compliance, and innovation.
• Expected Outcomes / Metrics
  • Financial Aid packaging completion rate meets or exceeds established timelines and goals.
  • QA audit pass rate aligns with or surpasses departmental standards.
  • Student satisfaction and responsiveness scores meet or exceed institutional benchmarks.
  • Compliance findings are minimal and resolved promptly.

Qualifications

At Arizona College of Nursing, we value adaptability and flexibility as we grow. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Must Have

• High School Diploma or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in financial aid administration in higher education.
• Strong knowledge of Title IV regulations and financial aid systems.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of formal leadership experience or demonstrated leadership in a student services environment (e.g., mentoring peers, training new hires, leading projects, or serving as acting supervisor).
• High degree of professionalism and discretion handling confidential information.
• Detail-focused with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong customer service mindset with a track record of delivering empathetic and effective support.
• Must be eligible to enroll in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

Nice to Have

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university.

Note: For consideration, only online applications will be accepted. No phone calls, please.

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