What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services (Grad and Law) position at Suffolk University?
This position reports to the Director for Graduate/Professional Student Financial Services. The Assistant Director assists in the execution of the financial aid programs designed to assist graduate and professional students with their investment in a Suffolk education.. The Assistant Director also collaborates with the Director to ensure the policies and practices in financial aid will create outstanding customer service for current and prospective Suffolk students. The Assistant Director will work to eliminate barriers that students may face and create efficient, service friendly ideas for the benefit of students and will create an open, welcoming, and inclusive environment in the Office of Student Financial Services that actively supports prospective and current students and their families.
Expertise and knowledge of graduate and professional student financial aid processes and procedures; knowledge of Federal Financial Aid programs, regulations and guidelines; proficiency with the use of job-related software programs; skill in interpersonal relations and ability to effectively communicate with internal stakeholders and external customers.
Primary Responsibilities:
Caseload Management: responsible for all aspects of managing a Grad/Law caseload. *
Ensure compliance with federal financial aid regulations. Knowledge of Federal Financial Aid programs, regulations and guidelines. Stay current with NASFA Newsletter, Partner Connect and Ask the Regs. Attend Trainings and webinars. Attend SFS internal trainings and meetings.
Process Alternative Loans for 50% of applicants
Process PLUS loans for Grad/Professional students
Endowment Fund Management; assist with awarding to ensure compliance for donor scholarship programs for graduate and professional students
Presentations/Prep and special projects - Represent SFS at various on and off-campus events as needed, including but not limited to, UG Showcase, Grad Open House, Law Admission events and SPILG presentation. Asist with special projects relative to operational and student needs
Requirements/Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree;
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in financial aid administration
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Experience working with the student information system (Workday preferred);
- Excellent analytical, organizational, problem solving skills;
- Exemplary customer service skills;
- Ability to work under continual deadlines requiring great attention to detail while managing competing responsibilities;
- Effective written and oral communication skills;
- Minimum of five years of recent professional experience in higher education financial aid including demonstrated expertise in financial aid programs and regulations.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and a strong commitment to help developing and implementing the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and goals.
A limited hybrid schedule is available and will incorporate a mix of in-office and remote work based on the needs of the office and the enrollment cycle.
*Caseload Management responsibilities include:
- Implement financial aid awarding strategies
- Packaging and awarding
- Perform verification
- Resolve SAR Comment codes (i.e. C-codes)
- Counsel students and families on financial aid programs and payment options
- Review satisfactory academic progress appeals (SAP)
- Process daily reports to ensure accurate packaging via WD
- Follow up with students and families to complete their financial aid file
- Lead on the SPILG FWS program
- EDAssist and PSP Liaison with university departments
- Coordinate with Ram Center to service inquiries
- Support the RAM Center when call volume is high
- Other tasks assigned by manager