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College dean vs finance aid director

The differences between college deans and finance aid directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a college dean and a finance aid director. Additionally, a college dean has an average salary of $91,676, which is higher than the $58,644 average annual salary of a finance aid director.

The top three skills for a college dean include colleges, scholarship and strategic plan. The most important skills for a finance aid director are financial aid programs, title iv, and state regulations.

College dean vs finance aid director overview

College DeanFinance Aid Director
Yearly salary$91,676$58,644
Hourly rate$44.08$28.19
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs1,86298,523
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a college dean do?

College deans lead the faculty to achieve their goals in areas like teaching, scholarship, and service. They are the representatives of the colleges they oversee both internally and externally. Deans are in charge of reviewing curricular requests and instruction proposals and denying or approving them to ensure they meet the state and accreditation standards. Their job is to ensure that all records kept in their offices are accurate to make it easier to respond to academic concerns and seek resolution with the faculty.

What does a finance aid director do?

A finance aid director oversees finance aid officers that deal with student loans, fees, scholarship grants, insurance, and other loans. They organize cash flow for all funds available. They analyze applications, grant scholarships and loans to students, and provide information on benefits and restrictions included with financial aid. They also help students resolve loan defaults or underpayments. They must have good communication skills to facilitate talks between students and universities.

College dean vs finance aid director salary

College deans and finance aid directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

College DeanFinance Aid Director
Average salary$91,676$58,644
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $157,000Between $37,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityBridgeport, CTWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyMassasoit Community CollegeCommonwealth
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between college dean and finance aid director education

There are a few differences between a college dean and a finance aid director in terms of educational background:

College DeanFinance Aid Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

College dean vs finance aid director demographics

Here are the differences between college deans' and finance aid directors' demographics:

College DeanFinance Aid Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.2% Female, 52.8%Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between college dean and finance aid director duties and responsibilities

College dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Design new illustrations for children's literature using a Wacom tablet.
  • Authore ICT faculty handbooks and train faculty in effective implementation.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
  • Authore ICT faculty handbooks and train faculty in effective implementation.

Finance aid director example responsibilities.

  • Manage cash flow for all funds including, FFEL, PELL, FSEOG, alternative loans, and cash.
  • Manage a majority of payroll ensuring that there are accurate accruals and necessary deductions.
  • Review and determine outcome of all financial aid appeals.
  • Assist students, parents, and staff with navigating the financial aid process, by providing guidance with the FAFSA.
  • Resolve student appeals and special circumstance requests.
  • Maintain Pell grant accounts from application processing to monthly reconciliation.
  • Show more

College dean vs finance aid director skills

Common college dean skills
  • Colleges, 23%
  • Scholarship, 18%
  • Strategic Plan, 13%
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Graduate Programs, 8%
  • Accreditation Standards, 5%
Common finance aid director skills
  • Financial Aid Programs, 9%
  • Title IV, 8%
  • State Regulations, 5%
  • Enrollment Management, 5%
  • Student Loans, 4%
  • Federal Regulations, 4%

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