Assistant Director, Financial Aid (Speech@Emerson)

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The Assistant Director, Financial Aid (Speech), reporting to the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid (Graduate), serves in a dual capacity within the Financial Aid and Student Accounts departments. Though their primary responsibility lies in assisting graduate students from the Speech@Emerson program, they also extend support to all students and their families in comprehending their financial aid packages and account balances. Precision, attention to detail, and superior customer service skills are essential for this pivotal role.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Meet with prospective and enrolled students as requested to discuss financial concerns, answer questions about financial aid awarding and eligibility, and review alternative resources to finance education costs.

• Required to offer a minimum of two hours of office hours per week for continuing and two hours for incoming Speech@Emerson students. This includes a mixture of late morning and late afternoon availability.

• Complete file review, including the federal verification process; troubleshooting common errors with posting financial aid packages, clearing C-Flags, etc.

• Review submitted documentation for accuracy and completion, making necessary corrections to financial aid applications with speed and accuracy, and requesting additional documents as needed.

• Analyze students' records and financial aid applications for discrepancies or conflicting information and request the necessary documentation to correct these issues.

• Process all aspects of specific federal or institutional aid programs, determine eligibility for Federal Direct Loans and institutional scholarships; building, auditing, and adjusting budgets for Speech@Emerson students every semester.

• Provide outreach to students about registration plans that might need adjustments to their financial aid package based on their registration.

• Serve as the lead Financial Aid officer for the Speech@Emerson program; attending regular meetings with 2U and Speech@Emerson partners, including Financial Aid webinars, Speech Registration Town Hall webinars, etc.

• Complete reconciliation of Speech@Emerson specific scholarships to confirm that amounts align with registration and are disbursed at appropriate points in the term.

• Provide updates and guidance to others on the Graduate aid team as new things develop and we enter new cycles in the program/process.

• Provide guidance and basic knowledge training and share updates/developments regarding the Speech@Emerson program to graduate student workers and Student Financial Services (SFS) staff who will be assisting with phone coverage.

• Plan and maintain all things needed for a successful academic year (fall, spring, summer) including timeline of packaging, meetings, presentations, workshops, town halls, billing deadlines, and communications.

• Assist the Office of Student Accounts with account review, collection, and outreach for active and inactive Speech@Emerson population, ensuring balance payments are collected or received by payment deadlines.

• Assist in the management of graduate-level billing rules in Banner, as well as invoice creation and management of related population selections.

• Responsible for applying and tracking balance holds for graduate population.

• Support the other graduate student programs with awarding, budgeting, outreach, and webinars as needed.

• Other areas of support include student employment onboarding and support, NSLDS/C-Flag processing for federal compliance, loan processing troubleshooting via Common Origination and Disbursement, Touchnet payment plan support, new first time student outreach.

• Work with members of the Financial Aid leadership team to offer exit counseling sessions to graduating students to add additional layer of default prevention.

• Assist the Office of Financial Aid with file review for incoming undergraduate students when volume is high.

• Assist with department phone coverage, anywhere between 4-6 hours each week. During peak hours/times, additional coverage might be needed.

• Perform general administrative tasks.

• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, related field or equivalent experience required

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in finance, accounting, and/or strong customer service setting required

• 2-4 years of experience in a financial aid department required

• 2-3 years of experience with Banner or similar program and/or system preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• Knowledge of Slate, Touchnet, various other systems/portals preferred

• Proficiency in using Google Suite applications, Microsoft Office software, and the ability to learn new software easily

• Comfortable navigating COD, NSLDS, and other federal systems

• Knowledge of graduate financial aid packaging rules and regulations.

• Broad understanding of Student Financial Services general services, procedures, and policies

• Ability to handle difficult phone calls and student meetings by communicating information clearly and compassionately.

• Up-to-date knowledge of college and federal rules governing financial aid policies, procedures, and pre-requisites

• Understanding of the financial aid review cycles as it relates to applicants, current students, students returning, and students leaving or graduating

• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to engage with students and parents in a patient and positive manner

• Good organizational skills with the ability to maintain multiple projects simultaneously and to prioritize tasks

• Ability to handle stressful situations in a courteous and professional manner

• Ability to engage well with a diverse population

• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required

• Fluency in a second language preferred

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This position is generally sedentary in nature, movement throughout the area is required from time to time.

• Ability to have continuous oral and written communication with students, families, co-workers and supervisors is essential.

• Repetitive movements, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, reaching, lifting, stooping and the ability to read a computer screen, detect color-coding and read fine print will be expected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions.

• Exposed to moderate noise levels

Disclaimer: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.  Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Compensation: $58,850.00 - $72,150.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

 

Grade of Position: S-23-07E

Employment Category: Regular

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Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division of Enrollment

This position will be exclusively represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 888 for purposes of wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage and commuter offerings, are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.