Director of Student Financial Planning

High Point University’s Director of Student Financial Planning provides strategic leadership, oversight, and administration of all student financial aid programs and student financing initiatives. The Director serves as the University's principal authority on Title IV compliance and programs, North Carolina state financial aid programs, financial literacy initiatives, regulatory reporting and risk management, default prevention, and financial aid operations. This position is responsible for ensuring full compliance with federal, state, institutional, and accreditor regulations while delivering exceptional service and support to students and families. The Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, operational excellence, accountability, and collaboration while utilizing technology and data-informed decision making to improve service delivery and institutional effectiveness. This position works collaboratively with Student Accounts, Admissions, Registrar, Accounting, Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Student Life, Athletics, and Executive Leadership to support student success, institutional compliance, and operational excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution required; Master’s degree preferred

 

Experience and Training

• Minimum 10 years of responsible leadership and experience in financial aid at Associate Director level or higher
• Demonstrated expertise in Title IV administration, compliance, and regulatory reporting
• Experience managing financial aid audits, reconciliations, and regulatory reporting requirements
• Strong technology background and experience with student information systems, financial aid management systems, federal and state systems, private loan systems, and reporting tools
• Experience administering North Carolina state financial aid programs preferred 
• Experience using Ellucian’s Colleague and/or Oracle preferred
• Experience in a private or nonprofit postsecondary institution preferred

 

 Knowledge, Skills, Ability:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Title IV regulations and Federal Student Aid programs
• Thorough knowledge of North Carolina state financial aid programs and their regulatory requirements
• Strong understanding of regulatory reporting, audit preparation, reconciliation, and compliance management
• Knowledge of university policies, budget goals, and forecasting
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to interpret and apply complex federal and state regulations
• Ability to build effective relationships across departments and with external agencies
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines
• Ability to work beyond a “typical” work day and weekends when necessary
• Ability to effectively present financial aid policies and information to students, families, and high school counselors during special events
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and student-centered service

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Directs and oversees all Student Financial Planning operations
• Develops departmental goals, service standards, performance metrics, and operational procedures and calendars
• Supervises, coaches, trains, and evaluates Student Financial Planning staff
• Establishes and maintains policies, procedures, and internal controls that support regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Serves as the primary authority and manages administration of all federal and state aid programs
• Ensures compliance with all Title IV regulations and requirements
• Oversees student eligibility determination, verification, packaging, and aid disbursement processes
• Oversees Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations and required adjustments
• Maintains annual student cost-of-attendance budgets
• Oversees reconciliation of all federal and state aid programs in collaboration with Accounting Department
• Serves as the institutional subject matter expert regarding student financial aid regulations and best practices
• Oversees endowed scholarships awarding processes
• Assists, in cooperation with the Office of Institutional Research, with the completion of all institutional, federal and state reports and numerous third-party surveys and questionnaires
• Conducts regular internal audits of financial aid files, processes, and controls
• Coordinates institutional responses to Department of Education Program Reviews, accreditation reviews, state agency reviews, and annual compliance audits
• Develops corrective action plans and monitor remediation efforts when compliance deficiencies are identified
• Prepares and submits all required financial aid and regulatory reports to U.S. Department of Education, North Carolina state agencies, and auditors.
• Serves as liaison to the national Tuition Exchange Program
• Oversees maintenance and annual setup of Colleague and Oracle student information systems for the Office of Student Financial Planning
• Oversees all financial aid system operations – implementations, upgrades, and reporting
• Maintains and updates all SFP’s publications, including publications collaborated with Admissions
• Ensures excellent service to all internal and external constituents
• Maintains Policies and Procedures Manuals and internal control memorandums expected by external auditors.
• Participates in institutional events and present financial aid information during such events as needed, including nights and weekends
• Partners with Student Accounts, Admissions, Registrar, Accounting, Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Student Life, Athletics, and Executive Leadership to support institutional objectives
• Represents High Point University and The Office of Student Financial Planning at federal, state, and regional conferences
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

 

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Develops, communicates and implements policies which have university-wide fiscal impact and ensures the policies are consistent with the overall objectives of the university
• Contributes to the success of the University through impartial awarding and management of student funding sources
• Responsible for the Office of Student Financial Planning operations.  Direct reports to this position are the Associate Director, Assistant Director, and Operation Administrator

For more information about this position, please contact Megan Inch, Associate Vice President for Student Accounts and Financial Planning at [email protected]