Amherst College invites applications for the position of Associate Dean of Financial Aid. The Associate Dean of Financial Aid is a full time, year-round position, job group and level PT-4. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Associate Dean of Financial Aid is a collaborating member of the financial aid team at Amherst College, supporting one of the most racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse student bodies of any highly selective college in the country. As a member of the financial aid deans team, the Associate Dean plays a leadership role in policy and practice for an institution widely admired by financial aid and access professionals. Amherst College's cultural diversity requires a practice of continual learning so that equity in policies and practices reflect a culturally relevant lens, and all students and families feel heard and seen.

The Associate Dean of Financial Aid will balance a student-centered culture with the responsible stewardship of all financial aid funds. The Associate Dean is responsible for Federal and Institutional financial aid review, and administration of an assigned caseload of admitted and continuing student applicants. Counseling will elevate the needs of students, and deliver limits with grace and respect for diverse cultures. Contributions will be made to policy and procedure review and development as part of the professional staff team.

The Associate Dean serves as the College's Veteran Certifying Official, processes veterans' benefits certifications of eligibility and oversees compliance with VA reporting requirements.

Summary of Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Brings a culturally responsive lens to all of the following duties and responsibilities:

Federal and Institutional Financial Aid

• Perform file review and revisions for assigned caseload of admitted and continuing students.
• Counsel a diverse group of applicants, students and parents in-person, via phone and via email regarding all aspects of financial aid opportunities, application, policy and procedures, as well as financial planning for college.
• Review appeals of financial aid decisions; participate in appeals committee; respond to appeals and perform mid-year reviews.
• Perform federal Verification in accordance with federal requirements and resolve need analysis results between federal and institutional applications.
• Assist with the formulation of financial aid policies.
• Conduct New Student Orientation Sessions on Financial Planning and other financial aid presentations, along with other professional staff.
• Special projects as assigned by the dean.

Specialty Program Management

• Administer the awarding of College restricted funds.
• Serve as liaison with Donor Relations.
• Awarding of Moral Obligation funds.
• Process Title IV refunds for students who withdraw.
• Lead in managing campus-based Federal SEOG awarding and the state Mass Gilbert grant program in accordance with federal and state law, U.S. Department of Education and Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Aid regulation, policies and procedures.

Foreign National Information System (FNIS) Management

• Manage the processing and communication with International students to record information necessary for the accurate processing of treaty benefit eligibility in tax responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field
• Experience and commitment to working within a diverse and inclusive environment
• The ability to work with diverse constituencies from varied racial, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds
• Experience working with and sensitivity to the needs of students from diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds
• Five to seven years of understanding and application of Title IV Federal Financial Aid regulation with policy and program administration duties
• Knowledge and experience with institutional methodology
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of Federal/State Student Aid programs and the ability to apply knowledge to situations where precedents do not exist or are ambiguous; must be sensitive to the needs of individuals while maintaining the legal and fiscal integrity of federal, state and institutional aid programs
• The ability to analyze complex situations and determine appropriate courses of action while engaged with students in personal interactions of a sensitive nature; create solutions to student problems that utilize the full range of College resources
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills

Preferred:

• An advanced degree in student personnel or similar fields Advanced experience with financial aid systems, preferably Powerfaids (financial aid software), federal and state and loan processing web sites (including COD, EdConnect, NSLDS, etc)
• Fluency in a language other than English

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE
Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college's community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college's scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm ; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum , Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum ; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!

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