Manager, Financial Aid

Driven. Engaging. Innovative. Do these words motivate you? If so, then we want to talk with you. Academy of Art University offers a rewarding employment experience for those who excel in a dynamic environment and who can consistently deliver high-caliber customer service. We thrive on ingenuity and pursue ideas every day that lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow.  Apply here for your next career!

The Manager, Financial Aid is responsible for consistently tracking the financial status of financial student loan applications, including FAFSA, Completion of Financial Aid paperwork and resolving any gap funding. The successful candidate will have experience managing the performance of the Financial Aid team. This includes communicating departmental objectives, coaching on work performance standards and monitoring progress to ensure operational goals are achieved.

This hybrid opportunity is ideal for goal-oriented individuals that are focused on outcomes, and possess the ability to effectively move people and enjoy working in the dynamic, innovation and progressive city of San Francsico.

Responsibilities:

• Track the financial status of all new domestic students, registered students and applicants including:
• Report to the Associate Director, Student Financial Services on the financial status of all new domestic students including, FAFSA completion, gap funding, and file completion
• Supervise Financial Aid Representatives for domestic students to ensure that their portfolio of students have completed the financial aid process and have been provided with any necessary gap funding information
• Ensure that new students are financially planned for the academic year and throughout their entire program
• Ensure that students receiving financial aid receive counseling regarding the financial portion of their program plan and their aggregate federal student loan and Pell grant limits
• Manage emails from the general financial aid inbox
• Manage the new student financial aid hotline, and hunt lines for new students inquiring about status of their financial aid file or any other financial aid questions (i.e., CMD referrals)
• Maintain a portfolio of students and track the financial status of each student including, FAFSA completion, gap funding, and file completion
• Assist with special events (i.e., Open Studio, Fashion Show Open House, Spring Show Open House, etc.) throughout the year
• Lead entrance loan counseling at the financial aid orientation for new students prior to start of each semester
• Facilitate Academy financial aid workshops and financial aid chats
• Assist with Transfer Monitor List and Duplicate Borrower Report
• Assist Admissions with financial exceptions (i.e., early refunds, registration fee, etc.)
• Assist with the operations of the financial aid office but are not limited to move/maintenance requests, equipment issues, ergonomic request, and schedules
• Assist with training new Financial Aid Representatives and the Financial Aid portion of Admissions new hire training
• Assist with updating financial aid documents, intranet, internet, and new hire training manual
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director, Student Financial Services and Executive Vice President of Financial Aid & Compliance.

Qualifications:

• Thorough understanding of federal, state and financial aid programs is required.
• Proven experience communicating complex financial aid information to students and families.
• Six years Financial Aid experience required, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data, communicate clearly, and use independent and appropriate judgement with a diverse client population.
• Proven experience in leading diverse teams, as well as training, coaching, mentoring to ensure operational goals are achieved.
• Effective problem solver and troubleshooter.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure with tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

Benefits:

Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program.  The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester. 

Compensation:

$70,304.00 - $75,000.00 annually
Based on experience and location

Application Deadline: November 16, 2026

IND123

Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at [email protected].