Financial Aid Assistant Director - Enrollment & Retention | Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Assistant Director of Financial Aid (AE086, Financial Aid Assistant Director).

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is a 12-month, full-time position that reports to the Director of Financial Aid. The Assistant Director assists the Director in providing direction and leadership for the day-to-day operations of the office, oversees aspects of financial aid administration and aid programs, and contributes to the development of office policies and procedures in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. They support the Director in administration of all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including compliance and reporting, and make decisions and represent the office in the absence of the Director. Along with the Director, the Assistant Director is responsible for supervision, management, and the mentoring of staff.

The Assistant Director works as a team member in a fast-paced workplace focused on customer service, providing support to all students at the university. They serve as liaison with other institutional stakeholders, ensuring consistent and responsive delivery of information and support through administrative, committee, and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities:

The following examples of duties and responsibilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position, but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

• In the absence of the Director of Financial Aid, serve as senior administrator in the office.

• Support the Director with overall administration of the office.

• Hire, train, and supervise staff within the financial aid office, including student employees.

• Assist with the development, implementation, monitoring, and revision of policies and procedures relating to financial aid. Monitor internal controls and processes to ensure consistent application of policies and procedures for all activities related to financial aid programs, as well as, review, interpret, and implement new and updated federal and state regulations.

• Provide detailed information and professional guidance to students and family members regarding financial aid. Information is provided via telephone, email, in person, and occasionally to groups at campus informational and summer orientation events.

• Complete file review and verification of aid applications for an assigned subset of students in determining federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility.

• Help develop and implement programs to support university recruitment, retention, graduation, and other student success goals.

• Serve as a liaison to federal, state, and professional agencies on financial aid matters, including federal, state, and Universities of Wisconsin reviews and audits.

• Participate in university committees, including medical withdrawal, enrollment extenuating circumstances, and campus calendar committees, and campus-wide programs as needed.

• Participate in professional organizations, conferences, and workshops when appropriate.

• Complete all training required for the position.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Conditions of Appointment:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

• Manages and implements policies and activities for a unit

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Ensures appropriate staffing, identifies and addresses training needs, and provides back up for area functions as necessary

• Provides strategic leadership to campus partners and serves as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders

• Helps develop and make recommendations for the unit budget

• Establishes operational procedures and protocols to support the unit to both prospective and continuing students

Department:

The Office of Financial Aid

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting salary within the range of $68,000 - $74,000, commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience with financial aid programs in a college or university setting.

• Extensive knowledge of Title IV regulations governing federal student aid. Areas of concern include verification, needs analysis, conflicting information, packaging, special circumstances, professional judgment, dependency overrides, federal reporting requirements, and Return of Title IV Aid.

• Experience with various financial aid systems, including COD, NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect/FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively lead and guide personnel.

• Possess strong customer service and written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be detail-oriented with excellent time management, analytical/problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Familiar with integrated student information systems and document imaging systems.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new software programs.

• Knowledge of and adherence to FERPA and other privacy laws and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional education (Master's degree in higher education, college student personnel, business administration, counseling, or a related field preferred).

• Previous leadership or management experience in the administration of student financial aid.

• Knowledge of and experience with other university functional areas that work closely with and/or directly impact financial aid administration, including Registrar’s, Admissions, and Student Accounts/Cashiering Offices.

• Previous experience with financial aid programs designed specifically to support university recruitment, retention, and graduation goals.

• Experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Campus Solutions and ImageNow.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

How to Apply:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Name and contact information for three professional references

Contact Information:

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected].

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Melissa Walton

[email protected]

(262) 471-1385

To Ensure Consideration:

Applications received by February 4th, 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.   

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.  

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin (https://www.wisconsin.edu). 
 
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a). 
 
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked. 
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills. 
 
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see  Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.