Assistant Director of Student Loans

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Student Loan Compliance is responsible for ensuring the institution adheres to federal regulations related to student loan programs, primarily federal Title IV requirements. This role involves managing the administration, reporting, and reconciliation of federal and private student loan programs while guiding operational compliance within the Financial Aid Office. The position acts as a regulatory subject matter expert, collaborates with campus departments, supports audits and reviews, and suggests improvements to uphold compliance standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage compliance with federal rules governing federal and private student loan programs administration.
• Administer the Federal Direct Loan Program, including Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS, and Graduate PLUS loans.
• Oversee private education loan certification and processing through the ELMOne system.
• Create and maintain policies and procedures to comply with federal, state, and institutional mandates.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes and advise on policy revisions.
• Provide interpretation and guidance on federal regulations to financial aid personnel, university leadership, and collaborators.
• Ensure institutional practices meet the U.S. Department of Education standards.
• Supervise data transmission and receipt via federal electronic systems like COD, NSLDS Professional Access, and related ED platforms.
• Perform monitoring and reconciliation to align institutional data with federal reporting systems, identifying discrepancies and coordinating corrections promptly.
• Ensure timely and accurate federal data reporting.
• Oversee financial reconciliation of student loan programs alongside Finance and Administration, ensuring record alignment and federal cash management compliance.
• Coordinate responses and documentation for audits and regulatory reviews; lead corrective actions following audit outcomes.
• Conduct regular compliance evaluations to confirm adherence to policies and regulations.
• Assist in operational planning and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide staff training and guidance on regulations and compliance updates.
• Manage and update departmental policies, procedures, and training resources.
• Participate in financial literacy initiatives, outreach, recruitment, and represent the office on compliance-related institutional committees.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of federal student loan regulations and Title IV compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with Department of Education systems including COD, NSLDS Professional Access, FAFSA Partner Portal, and StudentAid.gov.
• Capability to interpret and apply complex federal regulations and institutional policies accurately.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-resolution skills to analyze data and address discrepancies.
• Independent judgment and decision-making in a regulated environment.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build and maintain relationships across students, faculty, staff, and external entities.
• Proficiency in Ellucian Banner and Microsoft Office suite.
• Respect for confidentiality and skilled management of sensitive information.
• Ability to prioritize workload and meet strict compliance deadlines.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution mandatory.
• At least two years of experience in financial aid or higher education compliance roles, with progressive responsibility preferred.
• Proven familiarity with federal financial aid policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Successful background check completion required.

Physical Requirements

• The position involves sedentary office work, primarily sitting for long durations using a computer.
• Occasionally requires lifting or moving objects up to 10 pounds.