Assistant Director of Financial Aid

About the role

The Financial Aid Office at Wesleyan University is dedicated to assisting both returning and first-time applicants in their financial aid journey. With a $90 million need-based financial aid program, Wesleyan is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students, offering aid without the use of loans.

Responsibilities

• Provide top level customer service, advice, and counseling to students and families as they make decisions about college planning and financing.
• Perform need analysis and award aid to case load of approximately 300 first-year applicants and assume responsibility for a class of approximately 300 students after May 1 commitment date.
• Work independently to read and award financial aid to applicants under a tight timeline.
• Assist with the system processes and functions including full utilization of PowerFAIDS to ensure compliance and enhance efficiency.
• Serve as Security Liaison for the Financial Aid Office.
• Serve as Outside Scholarship Liaison.
• Work as a team to innovate and coordinate outreach activities to current and prospective students to improve file completion rates.
• Develop, coordinate, and participate in outreach activities with various on and off-campus partnerships, including current and prospective students, the Admission Office, Career Center, high schools, and community service organizations.
• Provide back-up support in various office functions.
• Aid other staff in the back-office operations.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and institutional financial aid regulations and requirements to ensure legal, fair, and consistent administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

This position is an on-campus position with potential for a hybrid (on campus and remote) schedule in the future. The position is not designed to be performed primarily remotely. Any approved hybrid arrangement requires the employee to maintain a primary residence in Connecticut or another University-approved state (currently MA, VT, NH, ME, RI, NY and NJ). Relocation assistance to Connecticut is available for eligible candidates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years of financial aid experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related experience in the profession.
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.
• An attention to detail and a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work independently as well as with students and parents, and with colleagues.
• Demonstrated empathetic customer service skills and experience advising others.
• Demonstrated and thorough working knowledge of computer systems and the ability and willingness to learn new systems/processes.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize information.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends as needed.
• Proven ability to set work priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds.

Skills

Experience and proficiency with PowerFAIDS financial aid software.

Experience with institutional methodology and need analysis.

Counseling experience in a higher education setting.

Knowledge of Federal Title IV, and state regulations.

Fluency in a second language.

Pay

$52,400.00 - $61,300.00

Schedule

On Campus