Assistant Director- Financial Aid Counselor

General Summary:

The Assistant Director, Counselor is responsible for communicating and disseminating financial aid information, policies and procedures to graduate and undergraduate students and families through in-person interviews, media and phone consultations; and is responsible for keeping staff abreast of policy and regulatory changes affecting student eligibility and ensuring consistency in applying policies throughout the Financial Aid Services organization. The role of counselor requires a thorough knowledge of all federal and state regulations and institutional policies governing the financial aid programs.

The Assistant Director, Counselor acts independently in counseling students, awarding aid and adjusting aid packages; and is responsible for the financial aid application verification process. The incumbent uses professional judgment, in accordance with federal regulations, to adjust financial aid awards due to unique family situations, student enrollment plans and in coordination of external aid awards. In addition, the Assistant Director, Counselor is responsible for managing federal, state and/or institutional financial aid programs as assigned; including but not limited to awarding, disbursing, reconciling cash receipts and expenditures and monthly/annual reconciliations.

Examples of Duties:

Responsible for counseling students and families to achieve desired outcomes within the boundaries of financial aid regulations and institutional policies;

• Counsel a caseload of students in all aspects of financial aid including, but not limited to, applying for aid, determination of need, packaging policies, disbursement, appeals process, changes to aid package, loan borrowing and student employment; This includes supporting specified populations (i.e. graduate students, second degree, accelerated master’s and consortium agreement participants).
• Manage federal, state and/or institutional programs, including but not limited to cash receipts and program expenditures;
• Responsible for all aspects of the federal verification process including but not limited to; organization of documents, recording correct data into PeopleSoft, verifying data items required under federal regulations, processing corrections, monitoring correction files, monitoring aid packages for accuracy relative to verified ISIR applications
• Responsible for ensuring written materials accurately reflect the policies of the university and are compliant with federal and state regulations;
• Work closely with other University departments to ensure accurate information is exchanged between departments regarding policies and procedures;
• Work as a member of the Financial Aid Services team to coordinate the dissemination of financial aid information to provide superior customer service to students and their families;

• Keep the Financial Aid Services department abreast of policy and regulatory changes affecting student eligibility and ensures consistency in applying these policies;

• Responsible for program reconciliations and year end closeout related to financial aid programs assigned;
• Responsible for keeping abreast of new federal and state initiatives and making recommendations regarding implementation; maintain auditable records of aid awards, aid adjustments, appeals requests and documentation, in accordance with state and federal regulations;
• Represent the Student Financial Aid Services office on university committees, at recruitment events and other events, as assigned.
• Participate in meetings, workshops and conferences to keep abreast of local, regional and national financial aid policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of three years of progressive experience in financial aid.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• • Knowledge of and experience with PeopleSoft software or a similar student information system, preferred.
• • Background and/or experience in counseling techniques preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• • Applied knowledge of regulatory requirements governing the financial aid programs;
• • Knowledge of all federal and state regulations governing financial aid programs;
• • Ability to deal effectively in high stress situations;
• • Ability to gain the confidence of students and their families;
• • Strong analytical skills
• • Strong interpersonal, management and organizational skills;
• • Strong commitment to customer service.
• • Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed, for recruitment events and peak processing.

Application Instructions:

• Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.
• Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.
• Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 31

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [email protected] 617-287-5150.