Senior Assistant Director, Financial Aid Services

Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; Chicopee (MA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Elms College is seeking an Assistant Director of Student Financial Services to lead aid awarding, processing, and counseling for diverse student populations. You will ensure timely disbursement, compliance, and exceptional service across departments.

The role emphasizes collaboration, regulatory knowledge, and student-centered support for undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor’s degree required and higher education experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Prior experience in financial aid, student financial services, higher education, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations and financial aid administration preferred.
• Experience with financial aid management systems, student information systems, and federal financial aid systems preferred.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and compassionately to students and families.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and student cases accurately.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively with sensitive student and family financial information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a student-centered team.
• Ability and willingness to remain current on changing federal and state financial aid regulations and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families through appointments, phone, email, virtual meetings, and walk-in service.
• Verifies eligibility and awards federal, state, and institutional financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Manages financial aid processing for assigned student populations, including verification, professional judgment documentation, awarding, revisions, and resolution of issues.
• Uses financial aid management and federal systems to verify, process ISIR corrections, COD reporting, and disbursement of aid.
• Reviews student accounts and records to identify and resolve disbursement issues.
• Assists with monthly and annual reconciliation of federal and state financial aid programs and researches discrepancies.
• Educates students and families on eligibility, FAFSA requirements, grants, loans, and financing options.
• Responds to inquiries and assists with outreach on missing documentation and eligibility items.
• Maintains accurate student records to support compliance and audits.
• Participates in presentations, workshops, open houses, and orientation programs, including some evenings/weekends.
• Collaborates with Admissions, Student Accounts, Registrar, and other offices to coordinate a positive student experience.
• Keeps current on Title IV and state regulations and best practices.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Counseling/advising

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Financial aid management systems

Student information systems

Federal financial aid systems

Job description

Elms College is seeking an Assistant Director of Student Financial Services to lead aid awarding, processing, and counseling for diverse student populations. You will ensure timely disbursement, compliance, and exceptional service across departments.

The role emphasizes collaboration, regulatory knowledge, and student-centered support for undergraduate and graduate programs. Bachelor’s degree required and higher education experience preferred.