Financial Aid Manager at Southern… · Anaheim

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Manager is responsible for the administration, coordination, and compliance of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs at SCIT. This role leads and manages the financial aid team, ensuring efficient, accurate, and student-centered operations across all aspects of financial aid administration.

This position ensures accurate and timely processing of financial aid, supports student access and success, and maintains strict adherence to all regulatory requirements, including Title IV programs. The Financial Aid Manager reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and works closely with students, staff, and institutional leadership to deliver high-quality service while safeguarding institutional compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Aid Administration

• Oversee the daily operations of financial aid processing, including application review, verification, packaging, and disbursement.
• Ensure timely and accurate awarding of federal, state, and institutional aid in compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Monitor student eligibility, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and enrollment status throughout each academic term.
• Maintain accurate and complete student financial aid records and ensure data integrity across all platforms and systems.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Maintain institutional compliance with all federal (Title IV), state, and accreditor regulations governing financial aid.
• Interpret and implement changes to financial aid laws, policies, and guidance in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepare for and support internal audits, federal program reviews, and accreditation-related compliance reporting.
• Develop, document, and maintain policies and procedures that ensure consistent regulatory adherence across financial aid operations.
• Serve as the institutional point of contact for COD (Common Origination and Disbursement), NSLDS, and other federal systems.

Student Support and Advising

• Counsel students and families on financial aid options, eligibility requirements, award conditions, and borrower responsibilities.
• Resolve complex or sensitive financial aid issues with professionalism, accuracy, and a student-centered approach.
• Promote financial literacy and responsible borrowing practices as part of the student advising process.
• Collaborate with student services staff to support retention and ensure students remain informed about their financial aid status throughout their enrollment.

Systems and Reporting

• Manage financial aid systems and ensure data integrity across all platforms, including the student information system (SIS).
• Generate and distribute reports for internal leadership, regulatory agencies, and accreditation purposes.
• Collaborate with administrative and IT staff to identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency and accuracy.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with Admissions, the Registrar, the Business Office, and Student Services to support enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives.
• Communicate proactively with institutional leadership on financial aid trends, compliance risks, and opportunities to better serve students.
• Support strategic enrollment planning through effective financial aid packaging and advising strategies.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Directly supervise, train, and evaluate financial aid staff, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and excellent student service.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and support the professional development of team members.
• Manage workload distribution across the team to ensure timely and accurate processing during peak periods and throughout the academic year.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and compliance-focused team environment.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate's degree in a related field. Bachelor's preferred.
• 3–5+ years of experience in financial aid administration at the postsecondary level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV federal financial aid programs, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with COD (Common Origination and Disbursement), NSLDS, EdExpress and EdConnect.
• Experience with financial aid management systems and student information systems.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a genuine commitment to student service.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of compliance and operational functions within a small institutional environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising and developing staff in a financial aid or related higher education setting.

Preferred

• Experience at a private, for-profit, or career-focused institution, particularly with Title IV compliance in a proprietary school context.
• Familiarity with California state aid programs (CSAC - Cal Grant)
• Familiarity with Veteran Administration (VA) benefits programs (e.g. GI Bill), including experience working with Enrollment Management as a School Certifying Official (SCO)
  

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary for the Financial Aid Manager is between $75,000 and $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Following a successful introductory period, SCIT offers the following benefits:

• Paid Sick Leave: 40 hours per calendar year.
• Paid Vacation: 40 hours in the first year; 80 hours annually from the second year onward, accrued each term.
• Paid Holidays: 8 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Health Insurance: PPO and HMO plan options with a portion of monthly premiums (up to $400/month) covered by SCIT.
• 401(k): Eligible to participate after one year of employment and 1,000 hours of service.