Director of Student Financial Aid - Educational Affairs

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POSITION SPECIFICS

Director of Student Financial Aid

The Director of Student Financial Aid provides strategic leadership and oversight for financial aid programs serving medical students, physician assistant students, and graduate students across two campus locations. This position is responsible for the administration of student financial aid, scholarship programs, endowed funds, financial literacy initiatives, and the College of Medicine's Early Assurance Program while ensuring compliance with institutional, federal, state, and donor requirements. The Specialist oversees the recruitment, application review, admissions coordination, and engagement activities for the Early Assurance Program and collaborates with institutional leadership to support student success, financial wellness, and strategic enrollment initiatives. The Specialist serves as a key advisor on student financial aid matters, works collaboratively with faculty, Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, admissions leadership, and university stakeholders, and reports to the Senior Director of Educational Affairs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Financial Aid Leadership

• Provide oversight of financial aid operations for medical, physician assistant, and graduate students across multiple campuses.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, institutional, and program-specific financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of financial aid policies, procedures, and student support services.
• Implement regulatory and institutional policy changes within College of Medicine financial aid operations and assess their impact on students and programs.
• Communicate significant financial aid developments, compliance requirements, and emerging trends to the Senior Director of Educational Affairs and other stakeholders.

Scholarship and Endowment Management

• Collaborate with institutional leadership to develop and implement scholarship opportunities for medical and physician assistant students.
• Develop, maintain, and administer the College of Medicine scholarship awarding philosophy and framework.
• Serve on the scholarship committee and participate in scholarship review, selection, and awarding decisions.
• Oversee scholarship awarding processes to ensure equitable and strategic distribution of available funds.
• Direct the administration, accounting, reconciliation, and reporting of endowed funds, annual gifts, and scholarship resources designated for student support.
• Develop and revise policies and guidelines governing endowments and specialized student support funds, including extended study and emergency assistance programs.
• Manage the Physician Assistant Program scholarship portfolio, including the administration, awarding, reconciliation, and reporting of scholarship funds in accordance with institutional and donor requirements.
• Administer the Federal Work-Study Program for eligible College of Medicine students, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, student eligibility requirements, and program reporting.
• Collaborate with university offices and program leadership to coordinate Federal Work-Study awards, monitor student employment, and ensure accurate allocation and reconciliation of funds.

Financial Stewardship and Compliance

• Ensure accurate financial management, reconciliation, and reporting of scholarship, endowment, and gift funds.
• Maintain audit readiness and compliance with internal, external, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Oversee administration of Veterans Affairs educational benefits programs, including compliance, documentation, record retention, and audit support.
• Partner with university stakeholders to strengthen financial aid operations, compliance processes, and funding strategies.

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead the revision, implementation, and evaluation of the College of Medicine disbursement schedule.
• Design, implement, and assess a comprehensive Financial Literacy and Student Debt Awareness Program to promote financial wellness and informed borrowing decisions.
• Develop and enhance processes, policies, and guidelines related to scholarship administration, endowed funds, and student support programs.
• Identify and implement strategies to improve student access to financial resources and reduce educational debt burden.

Early Assurance

• Provide leadership and administrative oversight for the College of Medicine Early Assurance Program, ensuring efficient and effective management of recruitment, admissions, and applicant engagement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective applicants, responding to inquiries, communicating application timelines, and providing guidance throughout the admissions process.
• Serve as the primary liaison with undergraduate advisors and partner institutions, facilitating communication and the exchange of applicant information.
• Receive, organize, and maintain application materials to support the screening and review process.
• Conduct preliminary screening of applications and coordinate with the Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid regarding interview recommendations.
• Coordinate interview scheduling with administrative staff or independently manage scheduling as needed.
• Receive, maintain, and track interview evaluations and admissions documentation.
• Coordinate with the Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid regarding final admissions decisions and communicate committee decisions to applicants.
• Work collaboratively with Director of Admissions to plan, coordinate, and facilitate Early Assurance recruitment and engagement events, including the Rising Junior Visit Day and Fall Visit Day.
• Maintain accurate applicant records and ensure confidentiality and compliance with institutional policies throughout the admissions process.
• Evaluate and improve Early Assurance processes to enhance operational efficiency and the applicant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in financial aid administration, scholarship management, higher education finance, admissions, enrollment management, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, financial aid compliance requirements, and higher education financial aid practices.
• Experience managing budgets, endowed funds, gifts, scholarships, and financial reporting processes.
• Experience coordinating admissions processes, applicant communications, or academic pathway programs is preferred.
• Experience with audit preparation, compliance monitoring, and regulatory reporting.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives, collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, and manage complex projects.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures while maintaining a student-centered approach.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, academic advisors, administrators, and prospective students.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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