The Office of Campus Enrollment at Saint Leo University seeks an Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for financial aid programs and services supporting both on-campus and online (Lionova) enrollment. This position is responsible for the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid; compliance with applicable regulations and policies; staff leadership and development; and collaboration with campus and online enrollment partners to support enrollment, retention, and student success. The Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President of Campus Enrollment and will build and lead a student-centered financial aid team serving both on-campus and online students.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight for the University’s financial aid operation supporting both on-campus and online enrollment, including the administration of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship programs.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies related to student financial assistance, including Title IV programs, verification, satisfactory academic progress, professional judgment, and Return of Title IV funds.
- Develop, implement, and maintain financial aid policies, procedures, and internal controls to support accurate awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate financial aid staff to foster a high-performing, student-centered team that supports both current and prospective students across on-campus and online enrollment in answering questions and navigating financial aid challenges.
- Manage the financial aid cycle from initial application review through awarding, counseling, disbursement, and resolution of complex student and family inquiries.
- Collaborate with Admissions, Lionova (online) Enrollment, Student Accounts, Registrar, Finance, and Academic Affairs to align financial aid practices with enrollment goals, retention strategies, and institutional priorities across both on-campus and online populations.
- Oversee required federal, state, and institutional reporting, audits, and program reviews, and serve as the primary liaison with external agencies and auditors on financial aid matters.
- Monitor and analyze financial aid data, awarding trends, and student need to inform planning, improve service delivery, and support data-driven decision making.
- Partner with enrollment leadership to develop financial aid strategies that promote enrollment, access, affordability, and student success for both on-campus and online students while supporting institutional objectives.
- Lead student and family outreach related to financial aid, including counseling, presentations, workshops, and communication initiatives that improve understanding of aid processes and responsibilities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the University’s enrollment and student service mission.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; master’s degree preferred.
- Progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration in higher education, including supervisory and/or leadership experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements, including Title IV programs, verification, satisfactory academic progress, and Return of Title IV funds.
- Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and internal controls for financial aid operations.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a regulatory environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, auditors, and external agencies.
- Strong technology skills, including proficiency with student information systems, financial aid systems, Microsoft Office, and related reporting tools.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide collaborative, student-centered leadership.
ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.
NOTICE:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success.
Why Work at Saint Leo?
What it’s Like to Work Here: Ask our employees and the one word they’d use to describe working at Saint Leo University is “Community.” Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world. Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!
We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).
- FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents*
- Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees*
- Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
- Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
- Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
- 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
- 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
- 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
- Employer-provided life insurance
- Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
- Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 403b Retirement Plan
- Wellness Center
- Eligibility based on meeting required service period
