Stephanie North
Lake Oswego,OR
Summary
Financial aid executive with 18+ years of leadership experience overseeing Title IV administration, veteran education benefits oversight, regulatory compliance, and institutional financial aid strategy in higher education. Proven success managing $15M+ in annual federal financial aid supporting more than 1,200 students, strengthening institutional compliance frameworks, and leading cross-functional initiatives that support enrollment growth, student retention, and financial integrity. Recognized for expertise in Title IV and VA education benefit program administration, federal reporting, reconciliation, and audit readiness. Collaborative institutional leader experienced working across enrollment management, finance, compliance, and academic leadership to maintain regulatory compliance and support student success.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Operations Specialist
American College of Healthcare Sciences
Portland, OR
10.2012 - Current
- Serve as the operational and systems lead supporting administration of institutional, state, and federal financial aid programs while ensuring regulatory compliance and data integrity across financial aid systems and workflows.
- Oversee operational workflows supporting verification, packaging, awarding, disbursements, Satisfactory Academic Progress monitoring, and Return to Title IV calculations.
- Lead annual financial aid system configuration and aid-year testing within Anthology Student.
- Maintain data integrity across institutional systems including Anthology Student, HubSpot, and internal reporting tools.
- Manage financial aid workflow automation and document tracking through Asana.
- Develop reports and dashboards to monitor financial aid processing metrics and operational performance.
- Support Title IV compliance monitoring and internal audit preparation.
- Collaborate with Student Accounts, Registrar, Admissions, and institutional leadership to coordinate financial aid operations.
- Provide internal training and system guidance to financial aid staff and cross-department teams.
- Developed training materials for new staff, improving onboarding experience and knowledge retention.
- Led initiatives to optimize resource allocation, resulting in improved workflow management across departments.
- Analyzed process workflows to identify areas for improvement, driving strategic operational changes.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and budget constraints.
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
- Analyzed data to identify trends and make informed decisions, driving continuous improvement in operations.
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new systems.
- Collaborated across departments to identify opportunities for process improvements and increased efficiency.
- Established key partnerships both internally and externally that contributed significantly toward achieving organizational objectives.
- Designed and executed targeted employee development programs to build key skills and improve retention rates.
- Developed and maintained operational procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
Director of Financial Aid
American College of Healthcare Sciences
Portland, OR
10.2012 - 12.2025
- Directed institutional financial aid operations and regulatory compliance for federal Title IV programs supporting more than 1,200 students annually.
- Directed administration of $15M+ in federal financial aid annually, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and campus-based aid programs.
- Supervised financial aid staff including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.
- Implemented operational procedures and service standards improving team efficiency and regulatory consistency.
- Oversaw financial aid packaging, disbursement coordination, and student eligibility monitoring.
- Led institutional compliance with Title IV regulations and federal student aid program requirements.
- Managed federal reporting including IPEDS, NSLDS enrollment reporting, Gainful Employment, 90/10 compliance, and FISAP.
- Conducted reconciliation of federal aid funds across institutional systems and federal platforms including COD and G5.
- Maintained institutional Title IV Policies and Procedures Manual and implemented regulatory updates.
- Oversaw Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation and appeals processes.
- Partnered with enrollment management, finance, compliance, and academic leadership to support institutional enrollment and retention initiatives.
- Provided regulatory guidance regarding Title IV implications of enrollment changes, withdrawals, and student eligibility.
- Supported institutional audit readiness through documentation management and compliance monitoring.
- Developed and implemented financial aid policies to enhance student access to educational resources.
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize financial aid processes and improve compliance with federal regulations.
- Oversaw budgeting and allocation of financial aid resources, ensuring equitable distribution among students.
- Mentored staff on best practices in financial aid administration, fostering professional development and efficiency.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends and recommend strategic adjustments to aid programs.
- Collaborated with academic departments to align financial aid initiatives with institutional goals and student needs.
- Evaluated institutional scholarship programs, proposing enhancements based on student feedback and success rates.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders including government agencies, foundations, and community organizations to expand funding opportunities for eligible students.
- Managed budgets effectively, maximizing available resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
- Collaborated with other departments for increased understanding of financial aid policies, leading to a more cohesive student support system.
- Conducted regular audits of financial aid data to identify discrepancies or inconsistencies, maintaining accuracy across all records.
- Improved customer service standards within the office by developing employee performance goals based on best practices in student support services.
- Provided guidance on student loan repayment options by organizing informational sessions and workshops to educate students on their obligations postgraduation.
- Maintained compliance with federal and state regulations by regularly reviewing policies and procedures, ensuring continued funding eligibility.
- Negotiated favorable terms with lenders on behalf of students, securing competitive interest rates and repayment options.
- Reduced errors in financial aid applications through meticulous review and verification procedures, ensuring accurate awarding of funds.
- Implemented regular staff development workshops to ensure up-to-date knowledge of financial aid regulations, application processes, and best practices.
- Established effective communication channels between relevant parties involved in the distribution of funds such as the Bursar''s office, Admissions, and students.
- Oversaw timely disbursement of funds to qualified recipients through efficient tracking and processing systems.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for staff members, enhancing their knowledge and skills in the administration of financial aid.
- Spearheaded initiatives that informed prospective students about available financial aid options, increasing enrollment numbers overall.
- Streamlined financial aid processes by implementing new software and technology, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.
- Communicated with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Designed financial aid reward packages, aligning contents with individuals' monetary and logistical needs.
- Represented financial aid office at group meetings with high school students and parents.
- Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.
- Complied with state and federal financial aid guidelines and regulations.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.
- Guided and supported faculty and staff in development of new programs.
Director of Military Education Benefits
American College of Healthcare Sciences
Portland, OR
10.2012 - 12.2025
- Directed administration of veteran education benefits and ensured institutional compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and State Approving Agency (SAA) regulations.
- Served as institutional School Certifying Official (SCO) responsible for certifying veteran student enrollments through VA-ONCE.
- Maintained integrity of veteran student records including enrollment changes, attendance adjustments, withdrawals, and reenrollments.
- Ensured timely certification and processing of VA education benefits.
- Administered regulatory reporting including 85/15 Rule monitoring and 35% exemption compliance.
- Prepared documentation and coordinated readiness for State Approving Agency compliance surveys and audits.
- Maintained institutional compliance with VA, DoD, and SAA regulations.
- Coordinated with Financial Services, Admissions, and academic departments regarding veteran benefit eligibility.
- Maintained regulatory expertise through VA training programs and ELR guidance.
- Oversaw submission of program approvals, catalog updates, and institutional changes to the State Approving Agency.
- Ensured compliance supporting military-affiliated students utilizing both Title IV and VA education benefit programs.
American History Instructor (Part-Time)
American College of Healthcare Sciences
Portland, OR
09.2019 - 05.2020
- Taught American history courses examining domestic and foreign policy developments in U.S. history.
- Developed curriculum and lesson plans promoting critical thinking and student engagement.
- Delivered lectures and coursework while evaluating assignments and written work.
- Maintained subject expertise through professional literature and continuing development.
- Developed and delivered engaging history curriculum aligned with academic standards.
- Facilitated student discussions to enhance critical thinking and historical analysis.
- Designed assessments to evaluate student understanding and progress in historical concepts.
- Collaborated with academic staff to revise course materials based on student feedback and performance data.
- Developed critical thinking skills among students through the use of primary source analysis and group discussions.
- Increased cultural awareness within the classroom by introducing students to historical perspectives from various cultures and time periods.
- Assessed student performance through regular evaluations, adjusting teaching strategies as needed to address individual needs and learning styles.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations for behavior, participation, and academic achievement.
- Organized tutoring sessions or study groups for struggling students which led to improved understanding of course material.
- Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing diverse teaching methods and incorporating multimedia into lectures.
- Established strong rapport with both students and parents through open communication channels and regular progress updates.
- Provided advice and guidance to students needing morale-boosting and academic advising.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
- Established and maintained professional relationships with students, staff, parents and community members.
- Encouraged students to take active role in learning and academic success.
- Promoted culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration in classroom.
Senior Financial Aid Auditor, Central Processing
Career Education Corporation
Schaumburg, IL
04.2008 - 04.2012
- Conducted enterprise Title IV compliance audits supporting financial aid operations across a 90-campus national higher education system.
- Monitored regulatory compliance for standard term, non-term, and non-standard term programs.
- Audited financial aid files to ensure compliance with Title IV eligibility, verification, packaging, and disbursement regulations.
- Reviewed records for completed, withdrawn, and cancelled students to verify regulatory accuracy.
- Partnered with internal audit teams during annual compliance audits.
- Provided regulatory guidance to financial aid and student account departments.
- Delivered presentations on Title IV policy updates and regulatory compliance.
- Investigated verification and packaging discrepancies and recommended corrective actions.
- Participated in enterprise quality assurance initiatives improving processing accuracy.
Veterans Education Specialist & Senior Financial Aid Advisor
Career Education Corporation
Schaumburg, IL
04.2007 - 04.2008
- Supported financial aid processing and veteran education benefits administration within a centralized financial aid processing center serving multiple campuses.
- Determined student eligibility for federal financial aid through verification and financial documentation review.
- Ensured compliance with Title IV regulations during packaging and awarding processes.
- Maintained one of the lowest verification and packaging error rates within the Central Processing team.
- Delivered training presentations to Directors of Financial Aid regarding processor responsibilities and compliance standards.
- Assisted leadership with staffing coordination and workflow planning.
- Participated in recruitment, evaluation, and onboarding of new team members.
- Led training initiatives improving team compliance accuracy and packaging turnaround time.
Education
MBA - Finance & Nonprofit Management
American Military University
Charles Town, WVBA - History, Political Science, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Title IV Compliance
- Federal Regulations
- Veteran Education Benefits Administration
- Financial Aid Operations
- Leadership
- Federal Reporting
- Audit Preparation
- Financial Aid Policy Development
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- R2T4 Compliance
- Cross-Department Strategic Collaboration
- Enrollment Reporting
- Default Prevention
- Regulatory Risk Management
- Operational Process Improvement
- Title IV Administration
- Pell Grants
- Direct Loans
- Campus-Based Aid
- School Certifying Official (SCO) Oversight
- 85/15 Rule Monitoring
- 35% Exemption Compliance
- Federal Aid Reconciliation
- COD
- NSLDS
- G5
- Return to Title IV (R2T4) Compliance
- State Approving Agency (SAA) Audit Preparation
- Title IV Regulatory Interpretation
Leadership Impact
- Directed administration of $15M+ in annual federal financial aid supporting 1,200+ students while maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations.
- Led institutional oversight of Title IV and Veteran Education Benefit programs, ensuring compliance with VA, DoD, and State Approving Agency regulations.
- Managed federal reporting and reconciliation across COD, NSLDS, G5, FISAP, Gainful Employment, and 90/10 reporting requirements.
- Strengthened institutional compliance through policy development, audit readiness preparation, and cross-department regulatory guidance.
Compliance Expertise
- Title IV Administration (Pell Grants, Direct Loans, Campus-Based Aid)
- Veteran Education Benefits Administration (VA, DoD, SAA)
- School Certifying Official (SCO) Oversight
- 85/15 Rule Monitoring & 35% Exemption Compliance
- Federal Reporting (IPEDS, FISAP, Gainful Employment, 90/10)
- Federal Aid Reconciliation (COD, NSLDS, G5)
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Oversight
- Return to Title IV (R2T4) Compliance
- State Approving Agency (SAA) Audit Preparation
- Title IV Regulatory Interpretation & Policy Development
Professional Leadership
- Vice President (Former), Oregon Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- President (Former), Oregon Association of Veterans School Certifying Officials
Systems And Technology
- Anthology Student
- Common Origination & Disbursement (COD)
- National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
- SAIG / EdConnect
- VA-ONCE / VA Enrollment Manager
- Google Workspace / Advanced Excel
- Asana
- HubSpot
Personal Information
Title: Financial Aid Executive
Timeline
American History Instructor (Part-Time)
American College of Healthcare Sciences
09.2019 - 05.2020
Financial Aid Operations Specialist
American College of Healthcare Sciences
10.2012 - Current
Director of Financial Aid
American College of Healthcare Sciences
10.2012 - 12.2025
Director of Military Education Benefits
American College of Healthcare Sciences
10.2012 - 12.2025
Senior Financial Aid Auditor, Central Processing
Career Education Corporation
04.2008 - 04.2012
Veterans Education Specialist & Senior Financial Aid Advisor
Career Education Corporation
04.2007 - 04.2008
MBA - Finance & Nonprofit Management
American Military University
BA - History, Political Science, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
Loyola University Chicago