Associate Director of Financial Aid

Eckerd College

Eckerd College is currently hiring for the position of Associate Director of Financial Aid to join our enrollment management team at our waterfront property along the Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, in our relationship-focused community. The associate director provides leadership and operational support for the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.

The incumbent possesses a comprehensive understanding of federal and state financial aid programs and can effectively communicate financial aid information to prospective and current students and their families. The associate director plays a key role in maintaining the accuracy, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of financial aid operations as well as assisting the Director with training staff, policy development, reporting, reconciliation, and compliance.

Benefits Overview Eckerd College offers a competitive benefits package, including the following:

100 percent tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents; access to Tuition Exchange network

HMO and HDHP medical insurance options; employer contribution to HSA for those on the high deductible plan that start date of hire.

PPO dental and vision insurance networks; employer-provided life, short-term disability, and long-term disability plans that start date of hire.

Generous employer contribution to employee’s retirement plan upon eligibility.

Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal leave as well as 16+ paid holidays annually.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the functional expert for the Banner Financial Aid module, managing core processes including tracking, packaging, awarding, disbursement, SAP, and Title IV returns.
• Collaborate with ITS and the Director to maintain Banner rules, execute batch processes and reports, and test system upgrades, regulatory releases, and annual processing updates.
• Identify system and workflow improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.
• Support federal reporting and processing through COD, NSLDS, FPS, and other Department of Education systems.
• Review financial aid files and resolve complex eligibility, verification, conflicting information, and professional judgment cases.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional, and NCAA regulations, as applicable and assist with reconciliation of federal and state aid programs.
• Develop, document, and maintain policies, procedures, processing calendars, and internal controls.
• Provide guidance to staff on complex student cases, regulatory requirements, and Banner processing.
• Counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, costs, financing options, and account concerns.
• Assist the Director with audits, program reviews, annual reporting, staff development ,training and strategic planning.
• Serve as acting director when requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; at least five years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration including supervisory experience. The equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Knowledge of Ellucian Banner Financial Aid functionality and data flow at an advanced level, gained through significant hands-on experience.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations and Title IV program requirements.
• Knowledge of the full financial aid lifecycle, from FAFSA receipt through reconciliation and year-end closeout.