Here are some sample job advertisements for financial aid roles…
Director, Financial Aid
The Burgess Group has been retained by a major New York City University to recruit candidates and nominations for the position of University Director of Financial Aid. As part of the University’s Office of Academic Affairs, reporting to the University Dean for the Executive Office and Enrollment, the University Director of Financial Aid is a senior administrator within the University’s central administration.
The successful candidate will provide overall management and leadership necessary for effective administration of the University’s student financial aid programs, and ensure service to students, families, and other constituents in relation to financial aid matters. He/she will supervise professional and administrative staff.
Areas of responsibility will include, but are not limited to:
- Providing overall leadership, evaluation and strategic vision to the University’s Financial Aid Office.
- Effectively ensuring ethical and equitable compliance with federal and state financial aid laws and regulations, formulating and overseeing university financial aid policies and procedures.
- Serving as liaison with Federal and State regulatory agencies in financial aid matters.
- Providing ongoing financial projections and data analysis.
- Making recommendations on packaging policies and procedures to meet University enrollment goals.
- Enhancing internal and external communication systems to inform students about financial aid policies and procedures.
- Supporting the University’s core mission to recruit, retain, and graduate talented and diverse students by applying leading-edge technologies and practices in the development, implementation, and management of effective financial aid and scholarship programs.
Candidates should have at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in a high volume financial aid office with demonstrated success managing financial aid operations at a public or private university. Demonstrated strategic understanding of the integral role of financial aid in growing student enrollment. Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state financial aid programs, policies and procedures. Baccalaureate degree required, advanced degree preferred. Experience in working in an ERP environment. Knowledge of industry-related software and database management as it relates to financial aid. Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and analytical skills. Ability to produce results as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment.
The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
- Implement and administer a plan for scholarship awards for entering and continuing undergraduate and graduate students.
- Work as a liaison to academic departments, institutional research, and students in scholarship matters; designing a unified approach to all scholarship activities establishing a policy for selecting and tracking students.
- Maintain and update the account and scholarship information system and website information.
- Assess scholarship needs and opportunities for Hunter students.
- Review and reconcile end of year accounts for scholarship portfolio.
- Standardize reports with regard to structure and submission across multiple offices including the Foundation and Business offices and implement committed funds report component into the system.
- Participate in Scholarships Planning Committee events to continuously improve scholarship distribution to students.
- Experience in higher education scholarship administration preferred
- Accounting or Computer Science education is a plus
- Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills
- Experience organizing, analyzing and reporting data from multiple sources
- Ability to prioritize, conduct analysis, assist in setting strategy, prepare reports and establish and meet goals and milestones
- Flexibility to work both independently and as a team member
- Attention to detail
- Reviews contracts, disbursements, tuition and fees; validates student eligibility for various programs
- Administers, monitors and troubleshoots CUNY financial aid systems as well as Federal and NY State systems in order to ensure integrity of student databases and timely and accurate delivery of funds
- Assists CUNY staff, applicants, and students/families with advice on financial aid issues and eligibility
- May review and reconcile student payroll processin
- Represents the Financial Aid function at Admissions events; works with academic departments as well as Bursar, Registrar, Admissions and Computing offices to assure staff understand and implement financial aid processes correctly
- Assists in the development and evaluation of Admissions processes
- Prepares documentation, instructions, and materials in various media to support financial aid activities
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Reporting to the Financial Aid Director, the successful candidate will be responsible fornot only the CUNY Title Overview but also:
Counsel students and families through the financial aid and enrollment process by clarifying process steps and executing effective contact strategies.
Work closely with enrollment and student services to identify and address academic and financial barriers that might hinder student persistence and retention.
Ensure that all processing related to students’ financial aid is completed both accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal and state regulations and CUNY policy.
Participate in development and coordination of improved in-person and online financial aid and enrollment services by leveraging technology.
Work proactively with admissions and enrollment services to support the needs of students and improve operational outcomes such as show rate, persistence, retention and overall student satisfaction.
Assists the Director, and Associate Directors with special projects.
Provides office coverage on evening and weekend rotations.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW:
Counsels applicants and students on eligibility for financial aid programs, assisting them in the application process.
Verifies eligibility for Federal and State financial aid programs including grants, scholarships, and guaranteed student loans Performs application intake, evaluation, processing and awarding Assists in the production of Financial Aid online, print material, and websites Advises students on good academic standing requirements and the appeal process; reviews appeals for dependency overrides and budget adjustments Conducts group workshops and represents the financial aid office at various on- and off- campus events Serves as a liaison between the college office and Direct Loan Providers Performs other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree required.
The qualified applicant will possess:
A minimum of two years relevant experience in a financial aid, admissions or enrollment services environment highly preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to providing quality student service in a diverse, urban college environment.
Knowledge of PeopleSoft/CUNYfirst information system in a higher education or government environment preferred.
Knowledge of best practices in delivery of financial aid and enrollment services preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively with multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proficient in using MS Office Products such as Word, Excel, Access and Power Point.
Knowledge of document imaging solutions, online forms, and office workflow.
SALARY:
Salary $39,282 – $69,188
Meets with and counsels students, parents, and others to explain and discuss the details of the financial aid application and awarding processes, the laws and regulations governing the eligibility for and availability of federal, state, institutional and other relevant programs
- Utilizes federal, state and internal software to process financial aid
- Determines eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other aid programs in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and other governing criteria
- Formulates, produces and distributes financial aid award notifications and ensures that the financial aid that has been awarded is appropriately disbursed and credited to the students’ accounts
- Develops and gathers appropriate materials, organizes and helps present student financial aid orientation programs, exit counseling, entrance interviews for students and their parents
- Assists other coworkers as needed in any function encompassed in the job description of the FAA
- Works with interdepartmental personnel to resolve students issues
- Attends workshops, seminars and webinars for professional development
- Utilizes federal and state webinars to remain current with new regulations.
- Attends conferences and training as approved and required
- High School diploma
- Strong customer service and organizational skills
- Must be able to multi-task and prioritize work
- Self-starter
- Bachelors degree preferred
- Minimum one (1) years financial aid experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook
- Locally as needed for staff coverage
- Touro system-wide as assigned
- Nationally as assigned
- Sitting for extended periods of time
- Standing for extended periods of time
- Lifting a minimum of five pounds
Applicant MUST meet these minimum qualifications to be considered an applicantBachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of experience and education. A minimum of two years of relevant experience (preferably financial aid experience in a university setting, or a background in related counseling and office experience) required. Knowledge of management information systems and computer software required; knowledge of PowerFAIDS preferred. Understanding of financial aid need analysis and federal regulations that govern the management and delivery of financial aid funds required. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and analytical skills, with a proven ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, math aptitude, and an ability to work collaboratively as part of an administrative team required.