Another Source's client, UMass Boston, is recruiting an Assistant Director, Financial Aid Counselor to join their team in Boston, MA. You'll play a vital role in guiding students and through financial aid processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. 

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  

Job Summary 

The Assistant Director, Counselor is responsible for communicating and disseminating financial aid information, policies and procedures to graduate and undergraduate students and families through in-person interviews, media and phone consultations; and is responsible for keeping staff abreast of policy and regulatory changes affecting student eligibility and ensuring consistency in applying policies throughout the Financial Aid Services organization. The role of counselor requires a thorough knowledge of all federal and state regulations and institutional policies governing the financial aid programs. The Assistant Director, Counselor acts independently in counseling students, awarding aid and adjusting aid packages; and is responsible for the financial aid application verification process. The incumbent uses prof judgement, in accordance with federal regulations to adjust fin aid awards and to determine financial aid eligibility due to unique family situations, student enrollment plans, satisfactory academic progress and incorporating external resources. 

Essential Functions 

• Responsible for counseling students and families to achieve desired outcomes within the boundaries of financial aid regulations and institutional policies 
• Counsel a caseload of students in all aspects of financial aid including, but not limited to, applying for aid, determination of need, packaging policies, disbursement, appeals process, changes to aid package, loan borrowing and student employment; This includes supporting specified populations (i.e. graduate students, second degree, accelerated master's and consortium agreement participants).  
• Manage federal, state and/or institutional programs, including but not limited to cash receipts and program expenditures 
• Responsible for all aspects of the federal verification process including but not limited to; organization of documents, recording correct data into PeopleSoft, verifying data items required under federal regulations, processing corrections, monitoring correction files, monitoring aid packages for accuracy relative to verified ISIR applications  
• Responsible for ensuring written materials accurately reflect the policies of the university and are compliant with federal and state regulations 
• Work closely with other University departments to ensure accurate information is exchanged between departments regarding policies and procedures 
• Work as a member of the Financial Aid Services team to coordinate the dissemination of financial aid information to provide superior customer service to students and their families 
• Keep the Financial Aid Services department abreast of policy and regulatory changes affecting student eligibility and ensures consistency in applying these policies 
• Responsible for program reconciliations and year end closeout related to financial aid programs assigned 
• Responsible for keeping abreast of new federal and state initiatives and making recommendations regarding implementation; maintain auditable records of aid awards, aid adjustments, appeals requests and documentation, in accordance with state and federal regulations 
• Represent the Student Financial Aid Services office on university committees, at recruitment events and other events, as assigned.  
• Participate in meetings, workshops and conferences to keep abreast of local, regional and national financial aid policies.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of three years of progressive experience in financial aid.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Applied knowledge of regulatory requirements governing the financial aid programs 
• Knowledge of all federal and state regulations governing financial aid programs 
• Ability to deal effectively in high stress situations 
• Ability to gain the confidence of students and their families 
• Strong analytical skills  
• Strong interpersonal, management and organizational skills 
• Strong commitment to customer service 
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed, for recruitment events and peak processing 

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.