Widener University is currently seeking an Associate Director of Financial Aid Services for Graduate studies. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this position provides support to graduate and doctoral students on the Chester Campus. The successful candidate will be an experienced financial aid professional familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid, who understands the principles of need-based aid and non-need-based aid, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
The Associate Director will work with the Director to update and develop policies and procedures related to the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid awarding, disbursing and reconciling and maintains the functional aspects of the Financial Aid module of the Student Information System, including system setup, implementation, analysis, problem resolution, maintenance, reporting, and regulatory updates.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential duties:
- Award and counsels all graduate & doctoral level students
- Develops strategies to manage multiple work streams, ensuring that they are conducted within existing policy, procedural and compliance guidelines; that best practices are followed, and technology and automation are leveraged at every opportunity.
- Ensure compliance with aid policies, including need analysis methods and packaging procedures; internal and external compliance and risk management, NCAA Title III regulations; and all Title IV federal rules
- Facilitates compliance with federal, state, University, and school financial aid regulations and assists in the interpretation of these policies for faculty, students and departmental administrators.
- Works with other departments to develop new protocols to replace existing manual processes and identifies cross functional issues and collaborates with other units to find and develop appropriate solutions.
- Maintain and is responsible for written documentation for system processes and procedures.
- Provide and present training on new financial aid regulatory updates and initiatives to the Financial Aid staff and other units as needed.
- Possess a working knowledge of integrated student information systems
- with other financial aid officers, processes all aid to doctoral students awarded by these units including summer stipends.
- Ensures the timely reconciliation of student accounts and reconciles financial aid records; analyzes reports to ensure data integrity across systems and compliance with financial aid policies; flags and resolves discrepancies, overpayments, and other data issues.
- Keeps current with the latest trends in federal and state programs and federal financial aid legislation.
- Assists the Director with special projects and other related duties as assigned.
- Updates and maintains content on the Office of Financial Aid website. Reviews, writes, and edits text as required.
Secondary responsibilities:
- Assist Director with preparing statistical data and required federal, state and university reports on an ongoing basis.
- Stay ahead of and is familiar with current trends and challenges in financial aid, including regulatory changes and updates;
- Represent Widener University and the Student Financial Aid Services office at institutional, state, and national committees, forums, and meetings.
- Presents at recruitment events on and off campus
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):
Required:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Five (5)+ plus years of progressively responsible and successful leadership in financial aid administration;
- Knowledge of federal, state, private financial aid programs, reporting, and regulations;
- Knowledge of best practices and broad experience in developing and administering need-based aid programs;
- Strong managerial and administrative skills;
- Exceptional and creative communication and critical thinking skills;
- Exceptional analytical and accounting skills experience;
- Strong problem solving and time-management skills;
- Superior interpersonal skills and outstanding leadership skills;
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population; and
- Demonstrated working knowledge of electronic financial aid systems including COD, FAA Access, CPS, SAIG, and NSLDS.
- Strong analytical and quantitative background is essential. Demonstrated knowledge of Title IV programs & regulations
Preferred:
- Experience with Borrower-based awarding
- Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office products;
- Ellucian Colleague system experience preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Occasional weekend work supporting campus events;
- Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (2+hours);
- This role may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
EOE M/F/V/D
