Another Source hiring Senior Assistant Director/Financial Aid Counselor - UMass Boston in Boston, MA | LinkedIn (2024)

Another Source’s client, UMass Boston, is recruiting a Senior Assistant Director/ Financial Aid Counselor to join their team in Boston, MA. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact by guiding students through the complexities of financial aid, simplifying the process and empowering them to achieve their educational dreams.

Offering a flexible hybrid schedule of 3 days onsite and 2 days working remotely once you get up to speed.

Here’s a little about UMass Boston and the position they are recruiting for:

UMass Boston is a public research university in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the only public research university in Boston and the third-largest campus in a five-campus university system. UMass Boston is the third most diverse university in the United States. At UMass, we harness the revolutionary spirit of Massachusetts to deliver affordable, world-class education that transform lives, conduct groundbreaking research that improves our world, and create social and economic impact that shapes and energizes communities.

Learn more about the department here: Financial Aid - UMass Boston (umb.edu)

What’s in it for you:

UMass Boston offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; generous paid time off; tuition remission; and robust retirement options. https://hr.umb.edu/benefits

The anticipated annual base salary range for this position is $73,300 - $80,000 DOE.

Job Summary

The Senior Assistant Director/Financial Aid Counselor is a key contributor to meeting Division of Enrollment Management and University goals for recruitment, retention and superior service by assisting students and families in navigating forms, technology and deadlines associated with applying for, receiving and maintaining financial aid eligibility. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the workflow for Undergraduate and Graduate caseload management for the Assistant Director/Counselor team, and will communicate and disseminate financial aid information, policies and procedures to students and families, as well as both the Financial Aid and One Stop Student Service staff. This role requires thorough knowledge of all federal and state regulations and institutional policies governing financial aid programs. The incumbent will work alongside senior management to create and implement task management tools to monitor the progress of caseload duties and prepare reporting tools that provide relevant data on the status of caseload workflow. The incumbent will manage the Financial Aid reception desk team of Financial Aid Specialists, monitor student service coverage for walk-in and phone inquiries and coordinate support from the Counseling team to ensure adequate coverage.

Essential Functions

• Act independently in counseling students, determining aid eligibility, awarding aid, and adjusting aid packages based on enrollment and outside sources of assistance.
• Counsel students and their families regarding the options available to meet the student’s cost of attendance.
• Manage a reduced caseload of Undergraduate and Graduate students to assist in all aspects of the student’s application for financial aid, including but not limited to Professional Judgement appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, Study Abroad, verification, resolving conflicting information and options for additional financing.
• Responsible for case load management for the Counselor team with the oversight of the Senior Associate Director of Student Services of Financial Aid.
• Monitor incomplete aid applications and proactively reach out to students to assist with the completion of their financial aid tasks.
• Monitor barriers to aid eligibility and disbursem*nt of financial aid funds.
• Review procedures related to caseload workflows periodically to ensure they are current and compliant with federal aid regulations.
• Review procedures with the Assistant Director team to ensure understanding and provide guidance and training toward the goal of accurately and efficiently completing caseload tasks.
• Ensure sufficient coverage is in place on a daily basis for student service walk-in and phone inquiries.
• Complete assigned duties with a high degree of accuracy to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies.
• Provide guidance and financial aid counseling to students identified as homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations.
• Remain current on federal and state regulations and best practices as well as university policies; maintain auditable records of aid awards, aid adjustments and professional judgement appeals in accordance with federal and state regulations and university policies.
• Represent Enrollment Management and the Financial Aid Services office on university committees, at recruitment events and other campus events.
• Participate in meetings, workshops and conferences to keep current on national, regional and Massachusetts state financial aid policies.
• Support Enrollment Management goals and perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred and a minimum of 4 years’ experience in an automated financial aid office.
• Knowledge of and experience with PeopleSoft or a similar Student Information System preferred.
• Applied knowledge of regulatory requirements governing the financial aid programs.
• Background in counseling preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to develop, manage and implement large projects.
• Excellent interpersonal, management, decision-making and organizational skills.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work and handle confidential information and materials.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.