Assistant Director, Office of Financial Aid

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Job Description Summary

Job Description

Essential Functions:

Student Counseling & Financial Aid Support

• Counsel students, prospective students, and families in person, in writing, and electronically on financial aid processes, eligibility, and interpreting aid packages and offer letters. This may include large group presentations.
• Performs need analysis and packages financial aid for a designated section of undergraduate students (assigned alphabetically).
• Performs verification of FAFSA information for assigned undergraduate students.
• Serves on the undergraduate appeals committee.
• Assists with the review of student programs of study, adjusting financial aid packages as needed.
• Serves as a liaison for financial aid processing related to undergraduate summer school applicants, working with the dean and the Magnolia office.
• Assists the registrar with student status corrections made on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
• Covers the front desk as needed, including responding to the email listserv, answering phone inquiries, and assisting families in person.

• Serves as the Secondary Destination Point Administrator (DPA) with the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring secure access and compliance with federal systems used for financial aid administration.
• Manages the federal direct student loan program, including daily file transmission, fund tracking, monthly reconciliation, year-end closeout, exit counseling coordination, and borrower correspondence.
• Manages the supplemental loan program, including loan certification, disbursement processing, revisions, fund returns, lender list maintenance, and lender relations.
• Manages the federal Pell Grant program, including file transmission, fund tracking, monthly reconciliation, year-end closeout, and recipient communication.
• Manages summer school aid eligibility determinations and processing.
• Maintains compliance with Federal Title IV regulations through self-directed reading, webinars, training, and conference attendance.
• Protects Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) at all times.
• Assist auditors with data requests as needed.

• Assists with the annual financial aid year rollout.
• Assists with testing of system software to support aid processing.
• Supports office-wide operational needs, including processing the return of Title IV funds, revising aid packages for part-time students, assisting with the emergency loan program, conducting program of study reviews, performing quality control checks, and processing files via Department of Education software.
• Follows all office policies and procedures related to financial aid tasks and responsibilities.

• Understands and stays current on systemic barriers to college access and attainment.
• Identifies knowledge gaps and actively seek opportunities for professional development.
• Attend seminars and conferences to stay up to date on financial aid regulations and FAFSA changes.
• Provides backup support for coworkers as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum two years of experience in higher education administration with financial aid experience in federal methodology.
• Five or more years of experience with institutional methodology preferred.
• Strong numeric reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
• Experience with financial reconciliation, data analysis, and reporting.
• Familiarity with accounting concepts related to financial aid.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, and communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to communicate effectively across diverse populations.
• High level of confidentiality, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Initiative and adaptability to respond to evolving institutional and student needs.

• Responsible for own work.

• Sedentary work primarily involves sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

• No environmental conditions

Disclaimer:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee's supervisor.

To help provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Wake Forest University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for employment for individuals with disabilities.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

WakeForestseeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate.In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on thebasis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran statusandencourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.