Job Description
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges–2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools–2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.eduPosition Summary
Assist the Director of Non-Traditional Student Financial Assistance in the coordination of and general counseling needs of SHU students as well as assist in the coordination of student loan programs.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Student Financial Assistance personnel direct, control, and administer all student aid programs. Through FY23 student aid applicants totaled 44,000+ with 8,700+ recipients. Total student funding was $288.5+ million from Federal, State, University, and private sources.
- The Assistant Director is a part of an enrollment management team responsible for recruitment and retention of Sacred Heart University students. This position collaborates with senior SFA staff in the creation and implementation of communication strategies, as well as an overall strategic communications plan specific to financial aid for students. This position will focus on general office communication strategies through various methods – phone, email, direct mail as well as web content management. Will be expected to maintain a thorough/current working knowledge of all federal, state, institutional, and private regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure accurate release of information and program compliance.
- This position has specific responsibility for a group of students that includes but is not limited to a growing non-traditional population of -- SVC at SHU, Undergraduate Part Time, Graduate, and certificate programs students. Will coordinate the counseling, verification, need analysis, and financial planning options for assigned student population. Additionally, assists with student aid reconciliations and the processing of Federal Direct Loans (over $85.5+ Million, with 10,750+ applications) as well as state/private educational loans (over $47.8+ Million, with 2,000+ applications). Loan volume 2022-2023 was over $133 Million.
- It is helpful (not required) for the Offices of Student Financial Assistance and Undergraduate Admissions that a counselor be a bilingual interpreter to counsel students and families as needed. If qualified, will help conduct tours for families when a bilingual ambassador is not available. Will also assist in the completion of bilingual forms and support the development of bilingual materials.
- This individual will work in cooperation with the SFA team to maintain the highest levels of communications and technology to support the faced paced, student-centered financial assistance program. The main management system for financial assistance is CSS Powerfaids. Additionally, the office operates U.S. Depart. of Ed EDE systems, integrates data with Slate (Undergraduate Admissions) and Ellucian (University mainframe system), Perceptive Content documenting system, as well as maintaining a high profile on the world wide web and social networking systems.
- The Assistant Director must project a positive public relations image and must be responsive to the goals and objectives of the University.
- General student financial assistance counseling. Includes application processing, need analysis, verification, awarding, tracking/ reporting.
- Provide counseling for affordability and education financing including SHU payment options, alternative loans and scholarship searches.
- Responsible for data entry and tracking of student information on a database.
- Plans and executes student loan entrance and exit interviews for their specific population.
- Direct contact with the Office of Student Accounts for account management and to counsel financial at-risk students.
- Follow up on student loan programs assisting with processing, reconciliation, reporting as well as Default Prevention and Financial Literacy.
- Organize student file information, with clear communications regarding individual student circumstances.
- Assists in student research and reports.
- Attend University Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, Orientation, other events and meetings with university staff as required.
- All other duties as required.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Previous higher education financial aid experience is preferred.
- Excellent customer service skills. Bilingual is a plus.
- Excellent computer skills. Experience with CSS Powerfaids and/or U.S. Department EDE systems strongly preferred.
Fast paced office with very heavy inter-personal communication. Weekend and evening office hours required. During holidays staff are considered essential and are often required to be on campus.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.
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