Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Graduate Programs (HR Title: Manager, Financial Aid)

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. Under the general supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director will manage and direct Financial Aid related activities for the Graduate student population for the graduate/professional programs at SMU. This includes determining individual student eligibility, offering aid, and monitoring student compliance with Federal, State and Institutional financial aid policies and regulations for 5000+ students. This position serves as the primary liaison between the graduate academic departments and the Division of Enrollment Services and works closely with each academic department on issues such as development of new programs, academic program structure, student recruiting activities prior to admission and post-graduation loan and repayment advising.

Essential Functions

• Create financial aid offers - FAFSA review and evaluation, resolution of data conflicts, determine eligibility and packaging of various aid programs using automated and manual strategies.
• Assessment of continuing student eligibility.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional policies.
• Development of process improvements for Grad FA.
• Aid in developing new programs and academic program structure.
• Assist potential, current, and post-grad students with the financial aid process through one on one consultation, email and telephone contact, zoom calls, recruiting visits, presentations, and various speaking engagements.
• Support SMU Mane Desk during peak periods, both at the counter and on phones, and support the Undergraduate student population when needed.
• Consult with SMU faculty and Deans within each of the schools on special needs students, departmental training on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and how each is impacted when combined with dept funds, student withdrawals, and new academic program development.
• Be responsive with requests from campus partners.
• Manage data for website content, ensure compliance review, assess quality controls, perform Professional Judgments, evaluate satisfactory academic progress, address special needs requests, develop GR budgets, consult on GR academic structure and student progression for financial aid applicability.
• Collaborate with DES and other key stakeholders.
• Serve on financial aid advising leadership team and perform special assignments as needed.
• Supervise and lead two full-time advisors, maintaining responsibility for all graduate and professional aid in coordination with the Director of Financial Aid Services.
• Uphold excellent customer service for students.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest regulations as they pertain to financial aid, and interpret federal, state and institutional guidelines as needed.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Is Required.
• Master's Is Preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience is required.
• Experience in a university setting, with financial aid services, disbursement and awarding of financial aid, and familiarity with policy regulations is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Demonstrate strong written communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
• Show strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Show a high level of understanding of academic policies such as academic program structure, academic progress, withdrawals, and doctoral programs and how each of these relates to financial aid eligibility as well as a thorough understanding of federal and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Show qualities such as tact, diplomacy, friendliness, adaptability, approachability, and an eagerness to serve students and families.
• Show knowledge of systems such as PeopleSoft, Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom, etc. is preferred.
• Show availability to work some evenings and weekends for community engagements and some travel for conferences and professional development.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Sit for long periods of time.