Director of distance learning vs finance aid director

The differences between directors of distance learning 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 director of distance learning and a finance aid director. Additionally, a director of distance learning has an average salary of $88,059, which is higher than the $58,644 average annual salary of a finance aid director.

The top three skills for a director of distance learning include english language, technical assistance and technical support. The most important skills for a finance aid director are financial aid programs, title iv, and state regulations.

Director of distance learning vs finance aid director overview

	Director Of Distance Learning	Finance Aid Director
Yearly salary	$88,059	$58,644
Hourly rate	$42.34	$28.19
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	22,232	98,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a director of distance learning do?

A director of distance learning oversees the development and implementation of a college or university's distance learning programs. They take the lead in conducting research to develop learning programs, establishing curricula and teaching materials, utilizing asynchronous learning modules and interactive media, and supervising the recruitment of the workforce. They are also in charge of setting goals and guidelines, arranging workshops and other services, coordinating staff, and monitoring operations, solving issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a director of distance learning leads educators and staff to reach goals and implements the institution's policies and regulations.

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.

Director of distance learning vs finance aid director salary

Directors of distance learning and finance aid directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Director Of Distance Learning	Finance Aid Director
Average salary	$88,059	$58,644
Salary range	Between $50,000 And $154,000	Between $37,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	AARP	Commonwealth
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between director of distance learning and finance aid director education

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

	Director Of Distance Learning	Finance Aid Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Director of distance learning vs finance aid director demographics

Here are the differences between directors of distance learning' and finance aid directors' demographics:

	Director Of Distance Learning	Finance Aid Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4%	Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.2% 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 Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between director of distance learning and finance aid director duties and responsibilities

Director of distance learning example responsibilities.

Manage and deliver an influential distance learning program utilizing a professional videoconferencing studio.
Collaborate in developing the organization's constitution, syllabus and lesson plans.
Provide general leadership and oversight for e-learning and e-learning support projects; develop faculty workshops, assessments, and improvement strategies.
Trouble shoot and shoot and up keep of computers and A/V n system.
Create, design and implement production of courses with professors and post online through Prometheus.
Conduct quarterly train-the-trainer in-services with all instructors.

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.

Director of distance learning vs finance aid director skills

Common director of distance learning skills

English Language, 18%
Technical Assistance, 18%
Technical Support, 18%
Strategic Plan, 8%
Instructional Design, 5%
Needs Assessment, 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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Director Of Distance Learning
Director Of Distance Learning vs Finance Aid Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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