Asstant Director of Financial Aid

Department: Financial Aid EV
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides information, advice, and counsel to parents and students, both prospective and current, regarding financial aid regulations and programs. This position determines financial aid eligibility and develops financial aid packages for prospective and current students; employs independent judgment in the analysis of federal and institutional methodology and interpretation of University guidelines; exercises discretion in the review of requests for waivers, adjustments and appeals. Provides detailed information and professional counseling regarding financial aid eligibility and alternative financing to parents and students in person, phone and email; assesses financial situations and extenuating circumstances case by case. Manages the processing of the federal Parent PLUS Loan, private loan and institutional loan programs for the University's Evanston Undergraduate population. Assists in the management of the University's Financial Wellness program.

Some evening and weekend work is required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Student Advising and Financial Aid Eligibility Determination

• Explains financial aid rules, university policies, and eligibility criteria to students, parents, and campus staff.
• Uses professional judgment to analyze complex financial situations and complete aid determinations.
• Develops and adjusts financial aid packages based on federal, state, and institutional rules.
• Using discretion, carefully evaluate appeals, waiver requests, and unusual family circumstances.

Federal Student Loan Processing & Compliance

• Manages federal loan applications, including Direct Stafford and Parent PLUS Loans, ensuring eligibility requirements are met.
• Counsel students and families on loan options, how they work, and how to apply for them.
• Collaborates with others to resolve processing issues, including application, origination, and system errors.
• Completes monthly reconciliation on loans processed through several financial aid offices across campus.

Financial Literacy Programming & Student Engagement

• Supports the Financial Wellness Program that teaches students how to manage their money and financial aid effectively.
• Plans events, workshops, and info sessions to educate students on budgeting, credit, and financial planning.
• Works with other departments to bring financial education into different student spaces.
• Keeps the Financial Wellness website up to date with helpful content and tools.

Policy Compliance & Aid Package Maintenance

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Advises students on how financial aid policies impact their eligibility and awards.
• Identifies and processes allowable changes to aid packages, including changes to enrollment.
• Helps students understand and navigate updates to their financial aid.

Financial Aid Communication & Outreach Presentations

• Represents the university at high school financial aid nights and other public-facing events.
• Gives presentations that explain the financial aid process in accessible terms to students and families.
• Supports recruitment and enrollment efforts by clearly communicating the value of aid and affordability.

Miscellaneous

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or the equivalent education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
• 2-3 years' experience in financial aid office, preferably at a private college or university;
• Demonstrated ability to consistently display accuracy and attention to detail;
• Receptive to feedback, willing to learn and embrace continuous improvement;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively one-to-one, in small groups and in public speaking contexts;
• Ability to write precise, well-organized emails, letters and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar;
• Effectively performs duties and responsibilities with attention to detail while demonstrating support for organizational policies;
• Demonstrated energy and desire to achieve and ability to take action that no one has requested to improve or enhance job results and avoid problems;
• Ability to actively listen to others' opinions and ideas and to respect and seek to understand differences in opinions.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Bachelor's degree;
• 3-5 years of financial aid or higher education administration experience;
• Experience with financial aid software systems;
• Willingness to facilitate open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one's own team;
• Exhibits understanding of natural sources of conflict and acts to prevent or soften them;
• Ability and willingness to explore alternatives to existing products and services and identify opportunities to improve procedures and practices;
• Ability to explain financial aid regulations to parents and students;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• Experience in web design communication;
• Ability to work with federal and institutional methodology;
• Experience in packaging financial aid.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $57,000-$62,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.