Director of Graduate Financial Aid

About the role

Job Summary The Director of Graduate Financial Aid is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of financial aid, including the application and awarding processes for institutional, federal, state, and private funding; ensuring compliance with institutional, federal, and state policies and regulations; and delivering the highest level of student and parent financial counseling services for students in all graduate and PhD programs across all Northeastern campus locations and academic divisions. The Director serves as a member of the Student Financial Services (SFS) senior leadership team and assists the Senior Director of Financial Aid and the Dean of SFS in management, compliance, and training needs. With regard to graduate financial assistance, the Director serves as the primary contact and liaison on behalf of Student Financial Services with Student Accounts, Enrollment Management Contact Center, Registrar, Graduate Admissions, Enrollment Management Marketing, and college and College of Professional Studies (CPS) enrollment functions. The Director will collaborate with Enrollment Management leadership to ensure the University's enrollment and retention goals are met. This position hires, trains, and supervises the graduate team of Financial Aid Counselors and Financial Aid Assistants; trains staff within Student Financial Services on policies and procedures relating to the administration and processing of financial aid for graduate students; and advises and counsels students and families on the availability of financial aid, the delivery process for receiving it, and the reconciliation process required to ensure that financial aid funds are transferred to student accounts. The Director reviews student applications, oversees verification procedures, reviews and evaluates appeals, and intercedes for students with participating departments including Deans, Student Accounts, Admissions, and the Registrar. The Director works in conjunction with the Dean of Student Financial Services and appropriate college staff and admissions officers to ensure that appropriate scholarship programs are developed, implemented, and assessed. Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities Graduate Financial Aid Operations Direct and manage all operations of the Office of Graduate Financial Aid within Student Financial Services. Serve as the primary contact and liaison within Student Financial Services and with Student Accounts, Enrollment Management Contact Center, Registrar, Undergraduate, Graduate and CPS Admissions offices, and the Graduate schools and CPS. Oversee the development and integration of financial aid systems, including PowerFAIDS, Slate, and Banner. Manage application evaluation, packaging, and disbursement processes for optimal efficiency. Federal, State, and Institutional Aid Administration Administer federal, state, and international financial assistance programs. Review student files using Federal and Institutional Methodologies to determine students' eligibility. Review and evaluate appeals, perform federal verification and need analysis, and resolve conflicting information. Counsel and advise students and families on the financial aid process, awarding, and financing options. Explain the financial aid process and Northeastern University billing procedures through appointments, email, and written communication. Represent the office at open houses, student meetings, workshops, and orientation events. Enrollment Management Work actively and cooperatively with the Colleges, CPS, and various campus locations' Enrollment Management stakeholders to implement proactive recruitment and retention efforts targeted to the needs of graduate students. Coordinate efforts with the Enrollment Management Marketing team to facilitate graduate program enrollment across colleges. Assist in the assessment and evaluation of strategic scholarship programs. Personnel Management and Compliance Supervise two Associate Directors; oversee training for Associate Directors, Graduate Aid Counselors, and Financial Aid Assistants. Assure proper and complete service is available to students and families through adequate staffing and coverage of the graduate financial aid office on a day-to-day basis. Complete quarterly audits of graduate student financial aid to ensure compliance with federal, state, and provincial regulations as well as institutional policies. Train staff on Title IV regulations, institutional policies and procedures, and federal, state, and provincial regulations relating to graduate financial aid.

Requirements

• Required
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in a professional financial aid position
• Experience managing and assessing a diverse team of staff
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with specific deadlines
• Ability to multi-task, stay organized, and work independently
• High level of customer service skills and attention to

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