Job no: 501534
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Financial Aid
Union: PSU
Categories: Accounting/Finance

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Awarding works under the supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid and is responsible for the management of work associated with all aspects of financial aid awarding to all groups of students at the university. Perform needs analysis, verification of student eligibility, manage financial aid state programs, tuition credit programs, and census date adjustments. The Assistant Director is responsible for training and updating other staff members regarding program changes and activities.

Essential Functions

• Interprets and applies federal, state and institutional laws, regulations and policies relating to the delivery of student financial assistance. Assists with monitoring all related activities for conformity with financial aid policies, regulations and procedures by performing quality control, process review and attending trainings, conferences, and webinars.
• Manages the awarding of financial aid funds to all students. This includes graduate students, undergraduate students, and Continuing and Professional Education students for periods of enrollment in summer, fall and spring.
• Fulfills administrative requirements for various federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. This includes performing complex data analysis, verifying student eligibility and using professional judgment and decision making to review and award financial aid funds to students.
• Manages the process for financial aid adjustments after the census date for summer, fall and spring award periods and aid other aid adjustments due to enrollment changes.
• Acts as primary program administrator for state grant programs from Massachusetts and other states. Develops departmental policies and procedures to ensure conformity with eligibility criteria and state regulations when determining initial awards and continued eligibility. Responsible for procedural development, forms, queries and quality control.
• Manages the tuition credit programs. This includes the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship, Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Program, Mass Transfer Awards and other tuition credit programs as directed. Responsible for all procedural development, forms, communications, queries and quality control.
• Manages the awarding of undergraduate merit scholarship programs. Develops departmental policies and procedures for the processing of incoming merit awards and renewal merit awards. Reviews and responds to merit appeals.
• Works with production management team to test system upgrades, enhancements and annual student packaging and budgeting systems for accuracy.
• Develop and present informational financial aid programs and community outreach events to local high school students and families and student groups.
• Hires, trains, supervises and manages personnel. Oversees operations and workflow to ensure that services are provided and processes are completed in a timely manner.
• Understands, is committed to and supports departmental and University Affirmative Action and non-discriminatory policies and goals.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience working in financial aid in a higher education environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word required.
• Excellent written and oral skills required.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively respond to customer service staff inquires.
• Ability to work with a diverse student body and staff.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Expertise with an integrated student administrative software system (Peoplesoft preferred).
• Knowledge of state and federal financial aid regulations, and awarding guidelines.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• May require occasional travel.

Work Schedule

• M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• May require additional work hours during periods of peak volume.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Salary Ranges: https://www.umass.edu/humres/sites/default/files/UMass%20Amherst%20Exempt%20Salary%20Ranges_0.pdf

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references by August 23, 2019.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Aug 9 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Aug 23 2019 Eastern Daylight Time