Assistant Director, Admissions & Financial Aid – Outreach

Columbia University School of the Arts; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University School of the Arts is seeking a seasoned Admissions and Financial Aid Administrator to manage day-to-day operations of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. You will serve as the primary Slate software manager, coordinate events, and counsel students on federal and private aid policies.

Responsibilities include managing admissions workflows, coordinating interviews and auditions, producing communications, and ensuring compliance with university standards and policy.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; at least three years in admissions and financial aid; accuracy and data synthesis for reporting; superior service and communication skills; confidentiality; strong organizational skills; proficiency with standard office software and university reporting tools; proofreading/editing skills; ability to work under pressure with concurrent projects; some evenings/weekends required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key contact for prospective students, overseeing admissions processes from inquiry to decision, data entry, dossier organization, letters of acceptance, waitlist, and reporting.
• Oversee use and optimization of Slate, SIS, PowerFAIDS and related systems; handle daily inquiries via mail, email, phone, and in-person.
• Coordinate and attend all admissions events, in-person and online; liaison with venues, catering, faculty and staff.
• Edit and update online application text; assist with communications plan and summer engagement strategies.
• Assist with scheduling interviews and auditions with program and faculty.
• Draft admissions correspondence; generate fellowship letters in PowerFAIDS; ensure compliance with policies.
• Collaborate with faculty review committees; monitor adherence to policies and legal requirements; ensure attestations per agreements.
• Verify submissions for compliance with university standards, including language proficiency, transcripts, and anti-AI in materials; monitor for fraud.
• Oversee completeness of admissions materials; liaise with International Students and Scholars Office and Office of Student Financial Planning.
• In Financial Aid: assist with awarding and processing institutional fellowships, service positions, TA compensation, and finishing funds; draft aid correspondence.
• Counsel students on federal aid, private loans, and repayment; develop budgeting strategies and long-term cost planning.
• Develop financial need analyses and generate leadership reports; support retention and enrollment strategies related to aid.

Skills

Admissions experience

Financial aid experience

Customer service

Data analysis

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Organization

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Slate

SIS

PowerFAIDS

Excel

Job description

Columbia University School of the Arts is seeking a seasoned Admissions and Financial Aid Administrator to manage day-to-day operations of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. You will serve as the primary Slate software manager, coordinate events, and counsel students on federal and private aid policies.

Responsibilities include managing admissions workflows, coordinating interviews and auditions, producing communications, and ensuring compliance with university standards and policy.