Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details

The Office of Financial Aid at Wesleyan University is committed to ensuring that any applicant admitted to Wesleyan is able to attend, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The financial aid team is responsible for the processing and awarding of financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans, and student employment. The office awards over $60 million of need-based institutional scholarship annually to ensure that 100% of a financial aid applicant’s demonstrated financial need is met. In addition, the financial aid team offers individual loan counseling sessions as well as financial literacy workshops to interested students.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Senior Assistant Director will join a service-oriented team and will be responsible for counseling students and parents in the areas of financial aid.

Responsibilities include:

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 400 first-year applicants and assume responsibility for a class of approximately 400 students after May 1 commitment date.

Work independently to read and award financial aid to applicants under a tight timeline. This requires some night and weekend work.

Manage all aspects for graduate student programming to ensure compliance with federal and institutional policies.

Serve as financial aid liaison for the BLS and GLS programs.

Serve as International Applicant Liaison. Oversee financial aid policies for international students, review and recommend policy changes to best serve this population.

Serve as Security Liaison for the Financial Aid Office.

Manage the Direct PLUS loan process, including processing applications and awarding funds.

Assist with system processes and functions including full utilization of PowerFAIDS to ensure compliance and enhance efficiency.

Assist with the disbursement process, including managing weekly disbursements to student accounts.

Perform weekly ISIR corrections.

Counsel students on the federal and institutional work-study programs and assist with the overview of the student employment program for all students.

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 but not limited to the Admission Office, Career Center, CT high schools, community service organizations on and off-campus, etc.

Provide back-up support in various office functions.

Co-manage various financial aid publications in conjunction with others on campus.

Aid other staff in the back-office operations.

Supervise student and temporary staff as needed or assigned.

Assist in preparation of statistical, budget, and survey reports.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three 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.

Attention to detail and a sense of humor.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative.

Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and collaborate with others.

Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize information.

Demonstrated empathetic customer service skills and experience advising others.

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.

Proven ability to use multiple software systems including but not limited to Word and Excel.

Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with
individuals of different backgrounds.

Ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with PowerFAIDS financial aid software.

Experience with institutional methodology and need analysis.

Counseling experience in a higher education setting.

Knowledge of Federal Title IV, federal compliance, and state regulations.

Proficiency in a second language.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application close date is June 20, 2021.

Additional Information

Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.