Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid
Company: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Location: West Palm Beach
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
Description SUMMARY In support of the university’s mission and
objectives, the Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid
supports and partners with the Financial Aid Director in various
capacities of financial aid administration, research, and providing
leadership to financial aid staff and student workers. This
position handles financial aid verification, managing current
student packaging, communication with internal and external
stakeholders, and provides oversight for various programs including
Federal Work Study, Tuition Exchange, and Athletic Compliance.
Processing of Financial Aid Oversees the timely packaging of
current students’ financial aid packages, ensuring adherence to
packaging parameters. Equips, trains, and leads a high-functioning
Financial Aid team, encouraging personal and professional growth.
Communicates with the Financial Aid team on progress toward defined
goals and/or required results. Manages the implementation of the
Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, including all communication with
supervisors and monthly reconciliation with the Business Office.
Assists in preparation of the annual FISAP. Determines student
eligibility for various financial aid programs. Performs aid
adjustments to ensure accurate and timely financial aid awarding.
Coordinates the Tuition Benefit program for faculty and staff.
Ensures staff are properly trained and routinely monitored to
ensure accuracy and compliance with institutional and external
guidelines. Assists Director with annual financial aid audit and
the preparation and submission of required reports to federal,
state, and institutional authorities. Analyze data and trends to
make informed decisions regarding financial aid strategies. Data
Management Ensures compliance with federal, state, and
institutional regulations. Monitors and manages the financial aid
database and related software systems. Manages the verification
process and resolves any discrepancies. through communication with
students, families, and external agencies. Monitors all processes
for all student employment programs. Maintains accurate and
confidential financial aid records. Generates reports for internal
and external stakeholders. Identifies and recommends process
improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
Participates in the assessment and improvement of financial aid
policies and procedures to ensure data integrity. Regularly reads
professional publications, articles, and handbooks in support of
the continuous improvement of the staff and department in
processing and disbursing aid. Collaboration & Communication
Coordinates with other departments in Enrollment Management to
ensure effective and efficient services are provided to enroll and
retain students. Represents the department on committees or in
meetings, as assigned. Provides appropriate and accurate
information, through various channels, to all prospective and
continuing students and/or parents regarding educational costs,
availability of financial aid resources, program eligibility, and
the financial aid application process. Respond to inquiries from
students, parents, and external organizations in a timely and
professional manner. Addresses and resolves complex financial aid
issues and appeals. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications
EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration,
Mathematics Education, or a related field, required. Master’s
degree in Communications, Education (or minor in Education), or a
related discipline, preferred. Equivalent professional experience
may be considered. Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC)
credential, preferred. EXPERIENCE 3 years of professional
experience in higher education financial aid required. ESSENTIAL
COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) Customer Service
Orientation – Keeps internal and/or external key stakeholder(s),
students, parents, faculty, staff and community partners in mind at
all times. Professionalism – Displays a high level of
professionalism, e.g. timeliness, reliability, communication, and
work ethic. Christ-first Faith – Provides spiritual support to
community members, including students, on their Christian faith
journey. Analytical Thinking & Decision Making – Identifies and
understands trends and/or issues, connects data points through
analysis and logical conclusions/actionable strategies. Attention
to Detail – Ability to efficiently and accurately focus on a
specific task or number of tasks. Reviews details with a critical
eye. Business & Financial/Budget Acumen – Demonstrates knowledge
and understanding of financial concepts, accounting, marketing and
organizational functions. Confidentiality – Maintains the necessary
confidentiality and discretion required for the position. Develops
Others – Ability to promote continuous improvement within teams
and/or individuals. Effective Communication – Expresses ideas and
information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in
writing to convey clear, well-articulated messaging across a wide
variety of audiences. Establishes Trust – Gains the confidence of
others by actions and words that promote being honest, forthcoming,
and vulnerable. Leadership/Influence – Ability to motivate, coach
and develop others, as well as influence a group of people to
achieve common goals, and implement university strategies. Strong
supervisory skills. Problem-solving – Anticipates, evaluates,
diagnoses, and resolves problems in a systematic and fact-based
manner. Project and Time Management – Effective planning and
priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects
simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
Teamwork & Collaboration – Creates a climate that fosters
commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote
cooperation and working together through trust and support of
others both departmentally and cross-functionally. ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS Ability to work non-routine hours during certain times
of the year. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.
Keywords: Palm Beach Atlantic University, Key Biscayne , Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid, Administration, Clerical , West Palm Beach, Florida
