POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Assistant Director will administer financial aid for undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The assistant director will serve as a financial aid advisor to the university and is instrumental in the recruitment of prospective students for all academic programs offered by the university. This position interacts with parents, students, and university officials as a representative of the financial aid office, treating them equally, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Analyze and evaluate financial aid applications in order to determine financial need. This process involves reviewing approximately one-fourth of all student applications. In evaluating each aid application, the financial aid counselor will have direct responsibility to verify receipt and accuracy of all required documentation, i.e., federal income tax return and/or tax transcripts, university financial aid application, FAFSA and CSS Profile. Determine applicant's cost of attendance for the individual program of study, which involves direct contact with key graduate and professional school personnel and knowledge of university tuition and fee schedules. The person must interpret federal, state, and university policies and regulations to ensure compliance and consistency in the equitable distribution of financial assistance. Responsible for needs assessment through the analysis and evaluation of individual financial circumstances and their ability to pay the student's cost of attendance at Case Western Reserve University. Exercise professional judgment on a daily basis when making decisions about family circumstances that do not fall within documented federal, state, or university policies. (30%)
2. Special projects assigned by the Deputy/Associate Director, which includes the management of a specific function vital to the administration of financial aid. Office leadership responsibility. Assume leadership and/or support various office programs and collateral assignments including, but not limited to, manage the federal and state grant programs, serve as the principal liaison to the professional and graduate schools, manage the student loans program, and/or manage the office of student employment. (28%)
3. Advise applicants and their families how best to utilize and leverage their funds to maximize resources, minimize educational debt, facilitate the student's attendance, and support students overall retention at the university. Explain, compare and contrast the terms and conditions of different financing programs available to the applicant and family. Serve as an advisor to the university community. Meet with and counsel students, parents, counselors and university personnel on a daily basis. (20%)
4. Stay apprised and be knowledgeable about the various methods of refinancing student debt, including student and parent loans as well as other forms of credit, and counsel students about these methods. Act as an official representative to federal and state agencies, scholarship and foundation organizations, and financial aid professional organizations, i.e., OASFAA, NASFAA, and MASFAA. Initiate and maintain dialogue with other colleges and universities in order to remain current and obtain information about new developments within the financial aid industry in the area of responsibility (15%)
5. Instrumental in the recruitment of prospective students to Case Western Reserve University. Assist the office of Undergraduate Admission by providing financial aid presentations to prospective students and their families. These presentations focus on the cost of the university, application procedures, and scholarships and need-based programs available. Also be a key speaker at the annual spring prospective student focus recruitment programs. The financial aid counselor must be available for college night presentations at local high schools. In addition to student recruitment, meet with and talk to prospective transfer and/or graduate students, parents, high school guidance counselors, and university alumni. (7%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties, tasks and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with departmental staff to collaborate on special projects and meet daily needs of the office.

University: Frequent contact with graduate and professional school personnel to collaborate on projects and in relation to the specific needs of students.

External: Regular contact with state and federal agencies, scholarship and foundation organizations, and financial aid professional organizations to exchange information.

Students: Regular contact with current and prospective students in relation to financial aid.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervision. Indirect supervision relating to the special project as assigned by the director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years in financial aid administration, or related experience at a college or university required.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Must demonstrate a customer service orientation and ability to collaborate with students, parents, staff, and outside organizations.
2. Strong written and oral communication skills required. Must be able to interpret and explain university policies to students and parents.
3. Fluency in a second language such as Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, and/or Telugu preferred.
4. Strong aptitude to work as part of a team required.
5. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Individual must be mature, professional, and discreet.
6. Ability to operate with a high level of awareness for protective sensitive and confidential information.
7. Ability to identify exceptions to normal policies and practices.
8. Ability to develop, enhance, and nurture relationships with prospective and current students and their families while providing consistent, accurate, and usable information.
9. Creativity and energy highly valued.
10. Proficient with personal computer office applications, e-mail, and internet.
11. Ability to learn software applications specific to admissions and enrollment management, as well as customer service and customer relations management applications.
12. Familiarity with financial aid software packages preferred.
13. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
14. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. This office emphasized the maintenance of security and confidentiality of all records. Work in a high pressure environment. Students and their families demand immediate response and a high level of service. This position requires the individual to meet constant deadlines. Some overtime (including weekends) may be required. This position is eligible for hybrid/remote work arrangements.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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