Career Center

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

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid provides financial aid support for approximately 3,000 Northwestern students by: (1) Providing information, advice and counsel to students, parents and staff regarding financial aid regulations and programs, including how aid impacts invoices; (2) Developing financial aid  offers for prospective and current students; (3) Responsible for monitoring, reporting and/or awarding for one or more designated institutional, federal or state programs. The staff member in this position will primarily work with students in our School of Professional Studies graduate programs. The staff member in this position will also act as a point person for Return of Title IV processing.

Please submit a cover letter for full consideration. 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Analyze complex financial aid applications for approximately 600-800 students using established University guidelines, as well as federal and state regulations and prepare award packages.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting for one or more federal or state programs or University divisions, under supervision of senior staff.  
• Work closely with other Student Financial Services units to resolve problems as needed (e.g., resolve financial holds, on student registration, loan changes, refund and repayment of awarded funds, etc.)
• Provide detailed information and professional advice to parents and students.  Includes the specifics of how aid award is calculated, the Return of Title IV policies, how invoices are impacted and how academic performance interacts with federal and university financial aid regulations.  Information is provided via telephone, email, in person, and occasionally to small groups.
• Provide formal and informal presentations working with SPS Admissions and Marketing teams. Presentations may be in-person or online.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years financial aid experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Consistently displays accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communicates effectively one-to-one, in small groups and in public speaking contexts; writes precise, well-organized emails, letters and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
• Regularly monitors customer satisfaction; provides suggestions to improve quality and value to the customer.
• Takes forceful stands on issues without being excessively abrasive; expresses own opinions even when adopting an unpopular position.   
• Seeks to build collaboration by encouraging trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose among various participants in an engagement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with traditional and non-traditional students enrolled in online programs.
• Experience with Return of Title IV processing and regulations.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Explores alternatives to existing products and services; identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices; shows imagination.
• Formulates realistic plans and contingencies and establishes appropriate measurements of anticipated results.

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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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