Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this role helps manage daily operations, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance for student financial assistance. The Assistant Director oversees aid processing, counsels students and families, and ensures federal, state, and institutional guidelines are met for prospective and existing Widener University students.

Responsibilities

• Manages the online Graduate student population.
• Handles exit counseling and completes R2T4 calculations.
• Processes financial aid applications and loans for undergraduate students.
• Counsels prospective and enrolled students and parents concerning eligibility requirements for federal, state, and institutional aid and the financial aid application process.
• Resolves conflicts of information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and performs verification.
• Certifies Federal and Alternative Educational Loans.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations governing financial aid.
• Interacts with various college offices and outside entities to resolve issues and expedite processing.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of technical systems required to meet job responsibilities.
• Exercises sound judgment in applying and interpreting federal and state financial aid regulation and demonstrates the ability to work independently and show initiative.
• Serves as backup to the Associate Directors of Financial Aid as needed.
• Provides presentations about the financial aid process and financial aid eligibility requirements to a variety of constituencies.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values, and goals of Student Financial Services and Widener University.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three (3+) years of progressive Financial Aid Office experience.
• Superior planning, problem-solving, and ability to manage multiple tasks and handle time-sensitive competing priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of general financial aid theories, procedures, and federal financial aid program regulations.
• Exceptional organizational skills in addition to strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Comfortable using Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), FAA Access to CPS Online.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to interact effectively with students, staff, faculty, and external constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ellucian Colleague software.
• Experience working with graduate students.
• Experience with online program financial aid administration.

Schedule

Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed.