University Director of Financial Aid

Northwestern University has appointed James Heller as University Director of Financial Aid. 

Heller most recently served as College Aid Director at the University of Chicago, where he led financial aid operations for undergraduate students and oversaw policy development, funding strategies, and student advising. A dynamic and transformative leader in higher education financial aid, Heller brings over 15 years of experience optimizing financial aid processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding access to education.

Prior to his tenure at the University of Chicago, Heller served as Director of Financial Aid at Rock Valley College, where he helped maintain critical student services during challenging circumstances, including a faculty strike and a state government funding lapse. He has also held leadership roles at Colorado Technical University and Career Education Corporation, where he focused on Title IV compliance, training financial aid professionals, and enhancing funding opportunities for students. His areas of expertise include federal, state, and military aid programs, strategic budgeting, performance metrics, and operational readiness.

Heller holds an MBA from American InterContinental University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Iowa. He has also completed executive leadership training through the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and The College Board’s Enrollment Leadership Academy.

You can read the full announcement here.

Carrie Alexander and Alycia Johnson led this search with Kristen Andersen and Marlyn Desire.