Financial Aid Assistant Director in Chicago, Illinois at MCC Holdings Group LLC

Midwestern Career College is a career-focused institution dedicated to providing students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training needed to succeed in today’s evolving workforce. Through innovative programs, personalized support, and a commitment to student success, we empower students to achieve their educational and professional goals.

As Midwestern Career College continues to grow and expand its impact, strengthening our Financial Aid team is essential to supporting that growth and ensuring we continue to provide exceptional service to our students. The Financial Aid Assistant Director position will play a key role in supporting our growing student population, enhancing operational efficiency, and helping advance the college’s mission of student success.

General Purpose

The FA Assistant Director works with the Director of Financial Aid in the overall leadership, administration, management, and daily operations of the Financial Aid Office. This position serves as a key member of the department's leadership team and provides direct support to the Director in planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating financial aid programs and services.

The Assistant Director works closely with the Director to ensure the effective administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs; maintain regulatory compliance; establish departmental procedures; supervise staff; and promote institutional enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives.

The position assumes delegated responsibilities on behalf of the Director and provides leadership and oversight of departmental operations in the Director's absence, as assigned. The Assistant Director also assists with staff development, policy implementation, compliance monitoring, and resolving complex financial aid matters.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily administration of Financial Aid operations, including application processing, verification, eligibility determination, financial aid packaging, awarding, and disbursement.

• Provide guidance and financial counseling to students and families regarding financial aid eligibility, funding options, student loan responsibilities, repayment obligations, and financial planning.

• Provide direct administrative and operational support to the Director of Financial Aid in managing the overall functions of the Financial Aid Office.

• Monitor changes in federal and state financial aid regulations and oversee the implementation of necessary policy, procedure, and operational updates.

• Serve as a lead resource for complex financial aid issues, escalated student, and parent concerns.

• Support the Director of Financial Aid and institutional leadership in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that strengthen department performance and student service.

• Ensure compliance with FERPA, Title IV regulations, institutional policies, and audit standards.

• Collaborate with the Director in developing, implementing, and evaluating departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.

• Assist the Director with federal and state audits, compliance reviews, program reviews, and institutional reporting.

• Assist with evaluating departmental performance, identifying operational challenges, and recommending improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

• Help ensure continuity of departmental operations by providing leadership and oversight in the Director's absence, as delegated.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

Leadership & Strategy

• Assist the Director in supervising, training, mentoring, and evaluating Financial Aid Office personnel.

• Provide guidance and direction to staff regarding financial aid policies, procedures, regulations, and operational expectations.

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and enhance the overall student financial aid experience.

• Monitor daily departmental activities to ensure timely and accurate processing of financial aid applications, awards, and disbursements.

• Ensure consistent application of institutional policies and federal and state financial aid regulations.

• Foster a collaborative, professional, and student-centered work environment.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Advanced knowledge of Title IV regulations, FAFSA processing, R2T4 requirements, NSLDS reporting, SAP policies, and federal compliance standards.

• 4–6 years of progressive experience in financial aid administration or higher education student services.

• Ability to handle confidential information in compliance with FERPA regulations.

• Experience with financial aid audits, reconciliation, and regulatory reporting.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or leading staff.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Supervisory or team lead experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a team environment.

• Initiative and commitment to the college’s goals.

• Adaptability to changing requirements.

• Strong commitment to high-quality performance.

• Effective management of individual workflow and process improvement.

• Clear and effective communication with coworkers in both written and verbal forms.

• A positive attitude focused on student satisfaction.

• Proficient with Microsoft Windows and related software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

• Advanced financial aid counseling.

• Regulatory compliance and audit coordination.

• Staff training and leadership.

• NSLDS enrollment reporting.

• Default prevention and loan counseling.

• Professional judgment review.

• Data analysis and reconciliation.

• Conflict resolution and customer service.

• Process improvement and workflow management.

• Written and verbal communication.

• Cross-functional collaboration

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk, using a computer and other office equipment.

• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through electronic means.

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• Dental insurance

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

• Pre-tax amount for Transport