Description
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.
Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the 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 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.
Perform weekly ISIR corrections.
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.
Co-manage various financial aid publications in conjunction with others on campus.
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.
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.
Requirements
Minimum 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.
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.
Preferred Qualifications
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.
