Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides information, advice, and counsel to parents and students, both prospective and current, regarding financial aid regulations and programs. This position develops financial aid packages for prospective and current students; reviews adjustment and appeal requests; provides customer service via phone, email, and in-person; and is responsible for managing an assigned financial aid project area.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provides detailed information and professional advice to parents, students, and staff regarding financial aid eligibility, including University policies and federal and state regulations.
• Considers requests for adjustments and additional aid on a case-by-case basis and provides counsel as to student options via e-mail, phone and in person.
• Analyzes complex financial aid applications for approximately 600 undergraduate students using established University guidelines, federal and state regulations.
• Determines student eligibility and awards federal, state, and institutional funds in accordance with relevant policy.
• Exercises professional judgment, within guidelines of federal regulations, to make adjustments when warranted by exceptional circumstances.
• Stays abreast of federal and state regulations and institutional policies and procedures in order to provide excellent customer service.
• Responsible for managing a specific financial aid project area, to be assigned. Project areas may include federal eligibility assessment, federal verification, federal/state grant programs, federal/private loans, institutional scholarships, study abroad financial aid, athletic assistance, and additional federal regulations and institutional programs, as developed.
• Responsible for presenting at high school financial aid nights and student information sessions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or the equivalent education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
• 2-3 years’ experience in a financial aid office, preferably at a private college or university;
• Demonstrated ability to consistently display accuracy and attention to detail;
• Receptive to feedback, willing to learn and embrace continuous improvement;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively one-to-one, in small groups and in public speaking contexts;
• Ability to write precise, well-organized emails, letters and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar;
• Effectively performs duties and responsibilities with attention to detail while demonstrating support for organizational policies;
• Demonstrated energy and desire to achieve and ability to take action that no one has requested to improve or enhance job results and avoid problems;
• Ability to actively listen to others' opinions and ideas and to respect and seek to understand differences in opinions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree;
• 3-5 years of financial aid or higher education administration experience;
• Experience with financial aid software systems;
• Willingness to facilitate open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one's own team;
• Exhibits understanding of natural sources of conflict and acts to prevent or soften them;
• Ability and willingness to explore alternatives to existing products and services and identify opportunities to improve procedures and practices;
• Ability to explain financial aid regulations to parents and students;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• Experience in web design communication;
• Ability to work with federal and institutional methodology;
• Experience in packaging financial aid.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northern Illinois University offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northern Illinois University supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Pay

The expected salary for this position is between $56,500 - $61,500 per year, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

Schedule

Some evening and weekend work may be required.