Associate 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 Wesleyan Financial Aid Office is committed to enabling students to attend, regardless of the family’s financial circumstances. The need-based financial aid program allows Wesleyan to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all admitted undergraduate students who are seeking assistance.

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director of Financial Aid will join a service-oriented team of 11 and will be a member of the Financial Aid Office’s leadership team. Team members collaborate closely to develop policy and to promote Wesleyan affordability for all regardless of financial need.

Responsibilities include:

Provide top level customer service, advice and counseling to students and families as they make decisions about college planning and financing.

Act as a financial aid policy expert for the entire office. Lead regular review and updating of written policies and procedures.

Perform need analysis and award aid to case load of first year financial aid applicants. Work independently to read and award financial aid to applicants under a tight timeline.
Perform 2nd reads on a portion of financial aid files.

Supervise two direct reports including coaching, training, mentoring and managing performance.

Serve as the primary resource for financial aid staff on compliance matters. This includes being the policy expert on the interpretation and application of federal and state regulations for program administration compliance.

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.

Prepare annual reports. Assist director with data requests and survey reporting including CDS , COFHE , FISAP and IPEDS .

Manage the financial aid process for Wesleyan’s POSSE Veteran’s program. Serve as the financial aid contact for students with VA funding.

Assist director in managing the annual A-133 audit.

Co-Manage all aspects of the administration of federal aid programs.

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

Coordinate in the Request for Information process for Wesleyan Preferred Lender list and recommend selection of lenders to Senior Administration.

Develop, coordinate, and participate in activities with various campus partnerships, including current and prospective students, the Admission Office, Career Center, high schools, and community service organizations.

Participate in professional conferences and training.

Oversee financial aid office functions in absence of Director.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related experience in the profession.

Deep and thorough understanding of need-analysis methodologies.

Proficiency with Federal Title IV laws and regulations.

Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.

Attention to detail and a sense of humor.

Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work well with students and parents, and with colleagues.

Some supervisory experience.

Ability to work a flexible schedule including night and weekends as needed.

Proven ability to set work priorities, to work independently to accomplish tasks, and to 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Seven years of financial aid office experience with increasing management and program responsibilities, Institutional Methodology need analysis expertise, and PowerFAIDS experience.

Expert of Federal Title IV laws and regulations, IM need analysis.

Familiarity with CPS , COD and EdConnect.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application close date is July 21, 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.