Description
The University of Illinois College of Medicine (UIC COM), one of the largest medical schools in the United States with more than 1,300 medical students across three campuses, seeks an experienced and forward-thinking Director of Financial Aid.
The Director provides strategic leadership, regulatory oversight, and operational management for all financial aid functions within the College of Medicine. This position plays a crucial role in supporting medical student access, affordability, financial wellness, and debt reduction initiatives.
Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean of Students, the Director collaborates closely with the university-wide Office of Student Financial Aid, COM Advancement, Admissions, Finance, and campus-based Student Affairs teams. The Director also serves as the primary financial aid subject-matter expert for the College’s leadership, faculty, and students.
This position is hybrid and is based in Chicago. Regular travel to the Peoria and Rockford campuses is required.
Requirements
Key Priorities
Deliver a high-quality, student-centered service model that supports medical students’ unique financial aid needs.
Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, including Title IV and all audit requirements.
Leverage and expand technology to enhance efficiency, data accuracy, and workflow automation.
Strengthen financial literacy education for students including responsible borrowing and debt management
Major Responsibilities
Leadership, Strategy, & Compliance
Provide strategic leadership for financial aid operations across Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford campuses
Develop, revise, and maintain policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Serve as the primary compliance lead, ensuring readiness for all internal and external audits.
Produce and coordinate timely submission of all federal, state, university, and private agency financial aid reports.
Oversee continuous process improvement and implementation of electronic systems, workflows, and reporting tools.
Operational Management
Direct daily operations for the College of Medicine’s Financial Aid Office.
Oversee eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, professional judgment, data loads/exports, and award packaging.
Authorize and monitor the disbursement of all federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid.
Coordinate reconciliation of all Title IV programs in collaboration with central financial aid and university finance teams.
Maintain accurate enrollment/aid data systems and ensure smooth integration with campus and university systems.
Student Advising, Outreach, & Financial Literacy/Wellness
Provide individual and group counseling on financial literacy topics including budgeting, responsible loan use, repayment options, and debt management.
Develop and implement high-impact financial wellness programs aligned with the needs of medical students.
Participate in College-wide events (orientation, Match preparation sessions, admissions events, and recruitment activities).
Host/co-host presentations such as Financial Aid Nights and residency-related financial literacy workshops.
Collaboration & Communication
Partner with the Office of Advancement on scholarship strategy, donor stewardship, and annual awarding cycles.
Collaborate on communications plans, including electronic and print materials for current and prospective students.
Serve as a liaison to university partners, faculty, staff, and external agencies.
Engage in state, regional, and national professional organizations to stay informed of emerging trends and best practices.
Budget & Resource Management
Develop, manage, and forecast department budget needs.
Provide recommendations on staffing, workflow design, and resource allocation.
Oversee and train professional staff and student workers as assigned.
