Justin Bohannon

Justin Bohannon is an accomplished financial aid leader with 17 years of progressive experience strengthening Title IV administration, regulatory compliance, and student-centered financial aid operations across public, private, and graduate-professional institutions. His career has been defined by building high-performing teams, designing clear and equitable funding pathways, and developing operational frameworks that improve accuracy, transparency, and the student experience.

Justin’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of financial aid administration, including awarding methodologies, cost of attendance development, SAP policy oversight, verification, reconciliation, audit readiness, and student advising. He has led multi-functional teams supporting more than 300 graduate and professional programs, ensuring consistent policy application, strong internal controls, and a service model grounded in empathy, clarity, and compliance.

He is known for his ability to translate complex regulations into practical, student-friendly processes and for creating financial aid “products” that are both compliant and accessible. This includes building audit-proof awarding tools, developing institutional scholarship strategies, and designing communication models that help students understand their financing options with confidence. His leadership emphasizes people development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Justin is a National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Certified Financial Aid Administrator® and has earned 16 NASFAA Professional Credentials, reflecting his deep commitment to professional standards and regulatory mastery. He has successfully guided institutions through audits, program reviews, and compliance recoveries, including leading an institution off Heightened Cash Monitoring 1 through strengthened processes, documentation, and accountability structures.

Prior to joining FAS, Justin served in senior financial aid leadership roles including Associate Director of Graduate Financial Assistance at Syracuse University and Director of Financial Aid at Summit Salon Academy. Across these roles, he championed student advocacy, cross-departmental collaboration, and the development of financial aid operations that support enrollment, retention, and institutional sustainability.