Title: Associate Director of Financial Aid, Compliance

Unit: Non-Unit Professional (NUP)

Department: Financial Aid

Reports to: Director of Financial Aid

Date: June 5, 2025 

General Summary: The Associate Director of Financial Aid, Compliance is responsible for the comprehensive operation of the student financial aid program and ensures compliance with all regulations while maximizing resources for students and the College. The Associate Director of Financial Aid collaborates with the Director of Financial Aid to formulate and determine policies associated with the operation of the Financial Aid Department including the implementation of all Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs, state and institutional funds, and all other avenues for student financing, procedures, and regulations. The Associate Director handles confidential decision making and policy making matters and the day-to-day direct supervision of the Financial Aid Offices and personnel.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Associate Director of FA, Compliance will provide leadership and management of Compliance and Training for the Financial Aid office. Oversee functions related to regulatory compliance of Title IV federal and state financial aid programs. Maintain focus on quality assurance and training to the financial aid staff and the financial aid officers. 
• The Associate Director of FA, Compliance is responsible for compliance review and the development and delivery of all training programs related to Title IV, Federal and State regulations, company policies and procedures, and established goals and objectives. The Associate Director of FA, Compliance will guide, train, and evaluate Financial Aid staff in support of effectively administering student financial aid programs and related processes
• Direct the daily functions of fund management and reconciliation. Implement policies and procedures to ensure the accurate, timely and ethical compliance of the Title IV program funds according to federal and/or state regulations.
• Direct and ensure the monthly Pell and DL reconciliations.
• Direct and ensure the execution of the Exit and 14-day loan notices on a bi-weekly basis, as well as packaged aid and repackaged aid emails sent out weekly.
• Monitor the administration of all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs including the review of these programs through federal, state, and institutional audits.
• In conjunction with the part-time Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) staff member, manage and direct the daily, semester, and annual SAP processes.
• Evaluate and update the systems for calculations, process flow, and communication, adjudicating the appeal process and consulting the Registrar and Advising staff.  Evaluate and update SAP policies for federal compliance and institutional compatibility.  Communicate SAP policies and procedures to FAO staff and institutional partners.
• Perform routine audits on active and inactive student files to ensure compliance with Title IV regulations. On a monthly basis, develop and test a Title IV subject area, review and update the related policies and procedures.
• Review campus financial aid processes to ensure the accurate and timely processing of student financial aid files and the proper processing of federal funds in accordance with Title IV regulations. Collaborate with campus leadership team to ensure campus compliance to regulations, and company policies and procedures.
• Prepare and coordinate Financial Aid Processing response to any internal/ external audit related to the management of Title IV program.
• Assist the Program Coordinators and Associate Directors with year-end reconciliations of funds.
• Assist the Director in the preparation of reports for the U.S. Department of Education and the State Department of Education.
• Assist the Director with audit data review to provide policy and procedure analysis for required audit responses.
• Assist the department in the research, development, implementation and enforcement of college's financial aid policies and procedures. Communicate updates of financial aid policies and procedures through teleconferences, webinars, training workshops and interdepartmental meetings.
• Fill in for the Director of Financial Aid when the Director of Financial Aid is on vacation or absent from the College
• Make independent decisions regarding financial aid policy advice and problematic and/or complex financial aid cases
• Maintain current working knowledge of all federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations and communicates regulatory changes to staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties:

• In conjunction with the other Associate Directors, handle the direct day-to-day supervision of the Financial Aid Offices, including the direct supervision of Financial Aid Counselors, Senior Financial Aid Counselors, Financial Aid Coordinators, and administrative support staff
• Conduct performance evaluations for direct reports, including Program Coordinators
• In conduction with the other Associate Directors, supervise the processing of timesheets and time off requests through HR/CMS system to ensure proper office coverage
• Assists in onboarding and professional development needs of the department, including: participating in the selection of new staff, the implementation of employee training, dissemination of state and federal information to employees through webinars and presentations, and assisting in all other onboarding needs
• Resolve personnel matters through ongoing communication with direct reports, the Director of Financial Aid and Human Resources, where appropriate
• Provide leadership and direction to financial aid staff by assessing work flow issues and reviewing work for quality and accuracy to ensure program integrity
• Assists counselors and coordinators in complex and problematic counseling issues of current and prospective students regarding costs, available resources, the FA application process, and alternative financing options
• Responsible for maintaining a strong working relationship with other college offices such as Admissions/Recruitment, Registrar/Student Information Center, Advising, Information Technology, Communication Center, etc.

• Master's degree in Education, Business Administration, Accounting, Human Services, or closely related field; with a minimum five (5) years experience and/or training involving financial aid operations, or loan processing; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Broad knowledge of state and federal financial aid programs and record-keeping requirements
• Comprehensive understanding, interpretation, and application of federal and state financial aid regulations
• Knowledge and experience supervising staff and managing personnel practices, training methodologies and communication techniques.  
• Ability to form strong coalitions with internal and external constituencies
• Experience using integrated higher education student information systems,
• Ability to resolve problems and to develop relevant alternatives and recommendations
• Financial management and strong analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to be organized and detail oriented
• Ability to recognize departmental priorities and work cooperatively to support their accomplishment
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish positive public relations for the college; and to interact effectively with a variety of people
• Able to work independently and as part of a project team to meet deadlines.

Salary Range: $83,000 - $93,000 actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Lowell and Bedford campuses as needed 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire; this position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.

Expected Start Date: July/ August 2025 

Application Deadline: June 26, 2025 

About Middlesex Community College

At Middlesex Community College, everyone teaches, everyone learns. Collaborative in nature and innovative in practice, we educate, engage, and empower a diverse community of learners. Through transformative opportunities, we challenge and support every student to succeed and lead. Recognizing equity and inclusion as the foundation for excellence and creativity, Middlesex Community College meets the evolving educational, civic and workforce needs of our local and global communities.

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