Assistant Director for Financial Aid

Assistant Director for Financial Aid

University of Puget Sound

Job ID: 8330

Location:

Full/Part Time: Full Time (1.0 FTE)

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Staff Posting Details Appointment:

Position Summary:

The University of Puget Sound boasts a Student Financial Services model that incorporates the areas of student financial aid and student accounts under a single, holistic service model. While the functional area duties are appropriately segregated, the department maintains a comprehensive student finance approach and a strong holistic customer service environment.

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides expert-level financial aid counseling and support to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Puget Sound. Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, this position plays a vital role in tasks such as awarding and managing need-based aid, responding to special circumstance appeals, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

This role is student-facing and customer-service-driven, requiring independent decision-making, thorough regulatory knowledge, and collaboration across departments. The Assistant Director serves as a key resource for student finance information and leads outreach efforts that promote financial literacy and awareness.

A comprehensive list of all potential duties for this role are provided below. The specific key responsibilities for an Assistant Director of Financial Aid will depend on the needs of the department and the Enrollment Division. Individuals may find themselves with more responsibilities and focus on certain areas of operation than others.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Student Support and Counseling

• Provide high-quality financial aid counseling to prospective and current students and their families.
• Educate students on scholarship opportunities, application processes, and financial literacy.
• Respond promptly to student and parent inquiries, and assist with the processing of financial aid awards as part of the broader Student Financial Services (SFS) team.
• Maintain a student-centered, inclusive, and solutions-focused approach to service delivery.
• Manage an active caseload, determining eligibility and packaging financial aid for students not processed through automated systems.
• Use professional judgment to review and decide on special circumstance and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals.
• Adjust financial aid awards based on student information changes and maintain ongoing communication regarding aid and billing.

Compliance and Processing

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and institutional aid regulations, including verification requirements, and tax documentation review as it relates to determining financial aid eligibility.
• Perform Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations and adjust aid per federal, state, and university refund policies.
• Maintain proficiency with financial aid systems including PeopleSoft Campus, FSA Partner Connect, and NSLDS.

Program Management

• Administer federal Direct loan programs, including PLUS, and private loans.
• Serve as a School Certifying Official for Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits.
• Oversee resolution of financial aid processing reports and participate in annual system setup and testing.

Outreach and Collaboration

• Serve as Outreach Coordinator, developing content and leading financial literacy efforts on and off campus.
• Participate in admissions and orientation events, and train admissions staff on aid processes and policies.
• Collaborate with campus offices such as Admission, Registrar, Study Abroad, Residential Programs, and Student Affairs to support student success.

Policy and Procedure Development

• Assist with reviewing and updating policies, and business procedures to enhance service and compliance.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to SFS Service Coordinators.

Other Responsibilities

• Promote professionalism, quality service, and operational efficiency within the department.
• Participate in special projects and perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental and institutional goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least three years of experience in student services, including financial aid counseling.
• Minimum two years of experience with Federal Methodology and federal financial aid regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and student information systems; PeopleSoft Campus preferred.
• Familiarity with Department of Education systems and automated financial aid platforms.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to the values of a liberal arts education.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with high accuracy and confidentiality.

Compensation and Benefits: The anticipated range for this position is $23.04 - $24.48. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations. Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)

Please note:

-Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.

-Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.

-Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. For more information on Puget Sound's non-exempt staff benefits package, visit: Summary of 2025 Benefits for Staff Members in Non-Exempt Positions.pdfFor the Campus Holiday and Bonus Day Schedule, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/human-resources

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

• We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.
• We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
• We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound

Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nations most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college. As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA

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