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The Associate Director of Financial Aid reports to the Director of Financial Aid and works closely with all members of Student Financial Services, which is comprised of the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Student Accounts, and the Office of Student Success. This position will manage the undergraduate financial aid team and processes, including the file review process and training staff on annual changes to processes and regulations. This position also provides financial aid assistance through an emphasis on individual attention to students and high-quality service. This position not only requires excellent skills in working with families and staff regarding the challenges of affording a college education but also the ability to assist with financial aid processing functions.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Supervision/Management

• Manage the daily and weekly priorities of three to five staff members and provide training, mentoring, and periodic performance evaluations.
• Direct and assist other staff members within Student Financial Services with office projects, with the goal of cross-training and expanding staff knowledge of all areas of financial aid.
• Stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes, participating in professional development activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge.
• Collaborate with other financial aid team leads to seek to streamline processes and improve the student experience continuously.

Program Oversight

• Serve as the undergraduate file review team lead, generating file review lists on a regular basis, ensuring all files are reviewed, assisting with complicated applications, and providing progress reports to the Director of Financial Aid. This also includes reviewing updates from FSA/ED as they relate to changes to the FAFSA, student eligibility, and verification process. Conduct annual training with the undergraduate aid team to review any changes to the financial aid process.
• Complete R2T4 Calculations for students who take a leave of absence/withdraw from the College, ensuring accuracy and timeliness per regulations and institution policies.
• Assist in various Enrollment Management activities and represent the Office of Financial Aid at various functions for the College, as well as through ad hoc committee work and cross-divisional initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison with the Education Abroad & Domestic Programs office, working with students planning to study abroad via an internal program or through a consortium agreement with another institution.
• Act as the point of contact for Circle Scholars in conjunction with the Undergraduate Admission and Student Success offices.
• Process and track private scholarship information submitted by students and vetting of private scholarship options available to students. Collaborate with the Office of Student Accounts to ensure that all scholarships are accounted for on financial aid packages.
• Complete the Pell Grant reconciliation process, ensuring accuracy of eligibility and disbursements.
• Assist the Director with SAP processing and financial literacy initiatives.
• Support direct reports with their programmatic responsibilities, including but not limited to state aid programs

File Review/Verification of Data and Data Conflict Resolution

• The verification of reported financial aid information using both federal and institutional methods for new first-time, transfers, and continuing undergraduate students.
• Assisting with federal verification monitoring and compliance to ensure that all students’ files have been verified with all required documents received, including accuracy and completion.
• Review and complete appeal requests, requesting documents as needed and reviewing for accuracy and completion.
• Support completion of degree audit review, c-flag resolution, and financial hold clearance

Counseling

• Counsel students, families, and other stakeholders in the financial aid process and work individually with families who need extra assistance.
• Assist with department phone coverage as needed or as assigned.
• Be an active user in the department email box, responding to emails assigned to you.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred
• 5-7 years of office experience in Financial Aid or Student Accounts or other areas in higher education, specifically in a Student Financial Services department preferred
• 3-5 years of experience with Banner or similar program and/or system
• Experience with counseling and student programming
• Experience working with diverse student populations preferred
• Experience working closely with students/families in a higher education environment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

• Knowledge of admission, student accounts, or other student services preferred
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to work with students and parents in a friendly, courteous manner
• Cross-training of colleagues
• Ability to propose changes to current policies and procedures to increase customer service efforts
• Have strong communication skills that include the ability to present information in a public manner as well as one-on-one meetings
• Excellent written skills are expected
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a courteous and professional manner
• Inquisitive and analytical, with strong critical thinking skills. S/he will have the ability to solve problems, including the ability to help non-experts understand policies and processes
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and successfully prioritize tasks
• Commitment to and ability to work with diverse populations.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to concentrate for long periods
• Some travel with outreach programming and professional development required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Typical office environment

Compensation: $79,950.00 - $99,900.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-10E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division: Division of Enrollment

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.

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