Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Financial Aid

Position Details

Position Information

Position Type Professional Staff Faculty Track Position Title Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Financial Aid Employment Status Full Time Months 12 Campus Both ME Campuses Description

The Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Financial Aid plays an important role in helping students in the University of New England's College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) navigate the financial aspects of their education. This position manages financial aid awarding and processing for COM students while serving as a knowledgeable, approachable resource throughout their enrollment.

The Assistant Director works closely with students, colleagues, and campus partners to solve problems, explain complex information clearly, and ensure financial aid is administered accurately and in accordance with applicable requirements. Responsibilities include determining eligibility, reviewing and adjusting financial aid awards, developing student budgets, monitoring academic progress requirements, and supporting students when enrollment changes or other circumstances affect their aid.

UNE welcomes candidates with strong transferable skills from areas such as customer service, finance, banking, compliance, benefits administration, case management, student services, or other detail-oriented and highly regulated environments. The successful candidate will be curious, organized, comfortable learning complex processes, and committed to providing thoughtful and responsive service. Comprehensive training will be provided to help the selected candidate develop the financial aid knowledge needed to succeed in the role.

Bring your strengths. We'll help you build the financial aid expertise. Financial aid or higher education experience is beneficial, but not required. We welcome candidates with transferable experience and a genuine interest in learning.

About the University of New England

UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Benefits Overview

• Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.
• Up to 8% retirement plan match.
• Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.
• Educational benefits:
• UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.
• UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.
• 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.

For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview

Responsibilities

• Manage financial aid awarding and processing for College of Osteopathic Medicine students, including reviewing applications, determining eligibility, verifying information, calculating financial need, and authorizing disbursements.
• Monitor student eligibility and adjust financial aid when enrollment, academic progress, or other circumstances change.
• Learn and apply federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements, including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), verification, Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4), and resolution of federal eligibility requirements.
• Review individual student circumstances, exercise sound judgment, and help identify appropriate financial aid options and solutions.
• Assist with the annual development of Cost of Attendance budgets using University expenses and relevant regional cost information.
• Serve as a primary financial aid partner to the College of Osteopathic Medicine and collaborate with faculty, staff, and other University offices to support students.
• Counsel students individually and explain financial aid requirements, options, and decisions in clear, understandable language.
• Present financial aid information during orientations, entrance and exit counseling, recruitment programs, and other student events.
• Stay current on changing financial aid requirements and contribute to the development and improvement of policies, procedures, communications, and services.
• Prepare and review reports to support compliance, operational planning, student service, and financial wellness initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and three to five years of experience in student financial aid administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing comparable knowledge and skills.

• Experience in a detail-oriented role involving customer service, advising, financial information, compliance, case management, data review, or administrative processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review detailed information and make sound, well-documented decisions.
• Ability and willingness to learn complex financial aid regulations, systems, and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and individual cases accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or sensitive information clearly and compassionately.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with students, colleagues, and campus partners.
• Comfort working with technology, databases, and reports.
• Commitment to providing responsive, student-centered service.
• Ability to travel between UNE campuses as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial aid, higher education, student services, banking, lending, finance, compliance, benefits administration, or another regulated environment.
• Familiarity with federal Title IV financial aid programs or experience working with graduate or professional students.
• Experience with financial aid functions such as awarding, Satisfactory Academic Progress, verification, Return of Title IV Funds, professional judgment, or Cost of Attendance development.
• Experience using Banner or another student information, financial, or case-management system.
• Experience counseling individuals or presenting information to groups.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. Relevant skills and experience can be gained in many different ways, and we value candidates who are ready to learn and contribute.

EEO Statement Summary

Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities.

Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine's immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Additional Note

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extension.

Anticipated Pay Range $46,500 - $54,108

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number 2022PS0858P Open Date Close Date Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents

• Letter of Recommendation