Associate Director of Financial Aid - Compliance

Job Title

Associate Director of Financial Aid - Compliance

Agency

East Texas A&M University

Department

Financial Aid

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Dallas, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

During the application process the “My Experience” page has a section provided “Attachments (Resume/CV, References, Cover letter, etc.)” to upload required documents. 

• Use the Upload button to add each document.
• You will be able to upload up to 5 documents. Be aware that the maximum size allowed for any one document is 5MB.
• All documents must be electronically submitted through the Texas A&M Online Employment Services website to be considered.
• Incomplete or improperly submitted applications may be excluded from consideration.
• Please do not withdraw your application in an attempt to upload a missing document, instead please email HR for help.

Please provide the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Three professional references with complete contact information (Unsolicited letters of recommendation will not be considered).
• Transcripts (Unofficial will be accepted with application. Official transcripts are required upon acceptance of verbal offer). 
  If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective faculty member to have the transcripts translated and evaluated by an approved credential evaluator.

If you need assistance, please contact us at [email protected]

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Financial Aid - Compliance provides strategic leadership and oversight of federal, state, and institutional financial aid compliance programs, including compliance related to Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, this position ensures the University's financial aid administration complies with applicable regulations, policies, and industry standards while minimizing institutional risk.

As a member of the Financial Aid leadership team, the Associate Director is responsible for compliance oversight, regulatory interpretation, policy development, quality assurance, audits, reporting, reconciliation, and continuous improvement of financial aid operations. The position collaborates extensively with campus stakeholders to establish effective internal controls and support compliant administration of financial aid programs.

ETAMU is a fast-growing public university with a strong reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and student success. With over 140+ degree programs, a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and nationally ranked online and graduate programs, ETAMU is committed to transforming lives through quality education. Our employees benefit from a collaborative community, cutting-edge research opportunities, and outstanding resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance Leadership and Regulatory Oversight

• Lead and manage the University's financial aid compliance program, ensuring adherence to federal Title IV, state, and institutional requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes, interpret new guidance, assess operational impacts, and implement compliant processes and procedures.
• Advise leadership regarding compliance risks, internal controls, and corrective actions.

Title IV Compliance

• Oversee compliance functions including SAP, R2T4, verification, professional judgment, eligibility determination, disbursement requirements, consumer information, reconciliation, federal reporting, and related Title IV activities.
• Provide subject matter expertise and compliance oversight for traditional and non-traditional academic programs, including CBE programs.
• Provide leadership and compliance oversight for Competency-Based Education (CBE) and other nontraditional academic programs, including program implementation reviews, policy development, quality assurance, regulatory monitoring, and staff training.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative partners to ensure compliance, data integrity, and effective administration of financial aid programs across all delivery models.

Quality Assurance, Audits, and Risk Management

• Develop and maintain compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and internal control processes.
• Lead audit, program review, and compliance examination activities, including documentation, responses, corrective action planning, and ongoing monitoring.
• Identify compliance risks and implement strategies to reduce financial and regulatory exposure.

Fiscal Compliance and Reporting

• Oversee reconciliation of federal and applicable state financial aid programs and ensure reporting accuracy, timely submissions, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Partner with Finance, Student Accounts, Registrar, Institutional Research, and Information Technology to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Policy, Training, and Leadership

• Lead development and maintenance of financial aid policies, procedures, and compliance documentation.
• Provide compliance training, regulatory guidance, and communication to Financial Aid staff and campus partners.
• Supervise assigned staff, establish performance expectations, and support professional development and operational effectiveness.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration, student financial services, higher education compliance, or a closely related area. Significant working knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations. Experience in areas such as SAP, R2T4, reconciliation, audits, reporting, verification, policy development, or compliance management. Experience using SQL or similar data-query tools to analyze, validate, and reconcile data.
• Knowledge/ Skills / Ability to: Demonstrated ability to interpret regulations, assess risk, develop policies, and implement compliant processes. Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and project management skills. Strong written, verbal, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong attention to detail and documentation. Ability to manage multiple regulatory deadlines and priorities. Ability to communicate complex compliance requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to collaborate effectively across institutional departments. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain confidentiality.

• Licensing/Professional Certifications: Valid driver’s license.
• Physical Requirements: None
• Other Requirements: Must be in good standing on any Federal student loans. Ability to work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends. Occasional overnight travel and evening and weekend work are required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/ SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree.
• Ten (10) or more years of financial aid experience.
• Five (5) or more years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with CBE, subscription-based, non-term, or other non-traditional academic programs.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner or comparable ERP systems.
• Experience with federal student aid systems, audits, program reviews, compliance monitoring, and quality assurance programs.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:

Assigned Financial Aid staff and/or functional areas.

WHY WORK AT EAST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY?

Competitive Benefits & Work-Life Balance:

• Employee tuition assistance for master’s and doctoral programs.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays, plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
• Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.

Career Growth & Development:

• Access to cutting-edge research opportunities at a designated R2 Research Institution.

Academic Excellence:

• ETAMU is ranked among the top 30% in five online degree programs and offers national recognized academic programs.
• Over 140 degree programs, including nationally ranked online and graduate options.
• First accredited institution to offer a competency-based bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
• Distance education offerings in Corsicana, Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Mesquite, Bryan, and online.

State-of-the-Art Facilities:

• Work in advanced facilities such as the 113,470-square-foot Nursing and Health Sciences Building, featuring a state-of-the-art simulation hospital and a 1,300-acre agricultural research farm.

Vibrant Campus Life:

• Engage with over 95 student organizations and 14 NCAA Division I athletic teams, contributing to a thriving campus community.

Prime Location & Growth:

• Enjoy the benefits of working in rapidly growing regions, with abundant career opportunities at six locations across Dallas and Northeast Texas.

Visit us on our social media:

• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and ETAMU News

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.