Student finance aid manager vs finance aid director

The differences between student finance aid managers 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 student finance aid manager and a finance aid director. Additionally, a finance aid director has an average salary of $58,644, which is higher than the $54,647 average annual salary of a student finance aid manager.

The top three skills for a student finance aid manager include financial aid forms, FAFSA and title iv. The most important skills for a finance aid director are financial aid programs, title iv, and state regulations.

Student finance aid manager vs finance aid director overview

	Student Finance Aid Manager	Finance Aid Director
Yearly salary	$54,647	$58,644
Hourly rate	$26.27	$28.19
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	101,176	98,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

Student finance aid manager vs finance aid director salary

Student finance aid managers and finance aid directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Student Finance Aid Manager	Finance Aid Director
Average salary	$54,647	$58,644
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $81,000	Between $37,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Commonwealth
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between student finance aid manager and finance aid director education

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

	Student Finance Aid Manager	Finance Aid Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Student finance aid manager vs finance aid director demographics

Here are the differences between student finance aid managers' and finance aid directors' demographics:

	Student Finance Aid Manager	Finance Aid Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%	Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.9% 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 student finance aid manager and finance aid director duties and responsibilities

Student finance aid manager example responsibilities.

Manage a majority of payroll ensuring that there are accurate accruals and necessary deductions.
Provide financial leadership and technical advice, improving working capital performance and assuring all transactions are properly record and GAAP compliant.
Create PowerPoint presentations containing NCAA bylaws and present to management and college athletes.

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.

Student finance aid manager vs finance aid director skills

Common student finance aid manager skills

Financial Aid Forms, 19%
FAFSA, 13%
Title IV, 13%
Student Finance, 9%
Student Accounts, 8%
Financial Aid Programs, 8%

Common finance aid director skills

Financial Aid Programs, 9%
Title IV, 8%
State Regulations, 5%
Enrollment Management, 5%
Student Loans, 4%
Federal Regulations, 4%

Student Finance Aid Manager vs. similar jobs

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Student Finance Aid Manager
Student Finance Aid Manager vs Finance Aid Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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