Director of Financial Aid

Southern Virginia University seeks a Director of Financial Aid to provide strategic leadership and oversight of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The Director ensures compliance with all regulations, develops aid strategies that support enrollment and retention goals, and provides exceptional service to students and families. As a key member of the strategic enrollment team, this position collaborates closely with the offices of Admissions, Student Success, and Finance to maximize financial accessibility for students and families.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the Office of Financial Aid, including strategic leadership, compliance, operations, and staff development.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive financial aid strategy aligned with institutional enrollment and retention goals.
  • Formulate and update financial aid policies and procedures in response to changing regulations and best practices.
  • Generate and analyze data-driven reports to evaluate financial aid trends, packaging effectiveness, and student outcomes.
• Compliance & Program Administration
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations (Title IV, SCHEV, TAG, etc.).
  • Oversee the administration and reconciliation of all financial aid programs, including federal Pell, Direct Loans, PLUS, SEOG, FWS, private loans, and institutional scholarships.
  • Manage the federal verification process, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reviews, R2T4 calculations, and appeals.
  • Prepare for and successfully manage internal and external audits, including the Single Audit and Department of Education submissions.
• Operational Management
  • Direct the daily operations of the financial aid office, ensuring timely and accurate packaging, awarding, disbursement, and reporting.
  • Oversee the effective utilization of financial aid management systems (currently Jenzabar), including system setup, optimization, and training.
  • Serve as the Destination Point Administrator for Federal Student Aid, managing access to FSA systems and services.
• Student & Family Support
  • Provide accessible, comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families.
  • Develop clear communication strategies to keep students informed about financial aid opportunities, processes, and deadlines.
  • Ensure that web, print, and digital resources are accurate, up-to-date, and student-centered.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate financial aid staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Provide training and professional development to ensure staff remain current on regulations, systems, and best practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex or sensitive financial aid cases.

Minimum Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will bring both technical expertise and a compassionate, mission-driven approach to helping students access a Southern Virginia University education
• Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV programs, state aid programs, and regulatory compliance, or the ability to quickly develop this expertise
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Strong communication skills with the ability to counsel students and families with empathy and clarity
• Commitment to the mission and values of Southern Virginia University

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, higher education administration, or a related field
• At least 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and financial aid systems (Jenzabar experience preferred)
• Experience using data analytics or modeling to inform financial aid strategy
• Experience managing donor or endowed scholarships in coordination with advancement/development offices

Applications

To apply, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to [email protected] .

About Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University is a private, faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑D Saints and those who share our values. As a university, we gather faithful Latter‑D Saints and those who share our values, lift intellectually, socially, and spiritually, and launch into successful lives and careers. Applicants are invited to learn more about the university at svu.edu/mission .