Finance Assistant

Company: Sacred Heart University
Location: Fairfield
Posted on: January 9, 2022

Job Description:

Assistant Director for Student Financial Assistance Category: Financial Assistance/Admissions Department: Student Financial Assist. [FIA] Locations: Fairfield, CT Posted: Dec 17, 2021 Closes: Open Until Filled Type: Exempt Position ID: 140744 Share About Sacred Heart University: As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing 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 satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 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; 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 387 Colleges-2022 Edition, "Best Northeastern" and Best Business Schools-2021 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.edu View SHU's Faculty Experts Here Job Description: As a team of direct reports, assists the Director of Undergraduate Student Financial Assistance in the coordination of and counseling needs of enrolled students who are recipients of the University Prescribed Aid Programs as well as the SHU Employee Tuition Remission Programs, as well as other programs that seek to complete higher education needs at Sacred Heart University. Student Financial Assistance personnel directs, controls, and administers all student aid programs. Through FY21 student aid applicants totaled 24,500+ with 8,400+ recipients. Total student funding was $241.5+ million from Federal, State, University, and private sources. This staff position will assist in the management of University Aid particularly as they pertain to the areas of Prescribed Aid and Employee Benefits. Most specifically will be responsible for the integration of the newly developed Hartford HealthCare (HHC) Employee Tuition Discount. This new and growing program will be available against all student types and require a detailed coordination of employment verification with HHC and continuous review of the HHC student enrollment status and student billing to assure the appropriate discounts are applied. In addition to verifying, awarding, reconciling and reporting on all other prescribed aid the staff member will assist with the administration of the SHU employee tuition benefits program. In addition, the Assistant Director is responsible for student counseling for an assigned group of students. The Assistant Director must possess knowledge of federal and state regulations, verification procedures, federal and institutional methodologies for need analysis, and knowledge of financial planning options available in the marketplace. Will perform the counseling, verification and awarding of a specific group of students within a team of counselors. Will support recruitment and retention efforts for students within their assigned group as well as maintain a strong presence for financial assistance counseling of part-time undergraduates and graduate students as needed. This staff member works in cooperation with the SFA team to maintain the highest levels of communications and technology system 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. Department of Education EDE systems, responsible for the integration of data with Slate (Undergraduate Admissions) and Ellucian (the University mainframe system), Perceptive Content documenting system, as well as maintaining a high profile on the world wide web and social networking systems. Responsibilities Include:

• General student financial aid counseling. Includes application processing, need analysis, verification, awarding, tracking and reporting.
• Provide counseling for alternative financing and scholarship searches.
• Responsible for data entry, tracking of student information on a database, with emphasis on document imaging through Perceptive Content.
• Assists in student research, mailings, and reports.
• Assists in the planning for and execution of student loan entrance interviews.
• Check awarded student account information with the Office of Student Accounts.
• Follow up on its students' loan proceeds.
• Participate in all SFA Office and Divisional activities.
• Attend University Open Houses, Welcome Weekends, Information Sessions, etc.
• All other duties as required. Requirements: Statement of Personal & Organizational Responsibility for Diversity and Inclusion Actively promote a collegial environment and consciously apply our mission and values to create a culture of inclusion and belonging; a safe space where all may thrive and succeed. Participate in developmental activities to increase understanding and awareness of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion; apply that understanding to guide your approach to all aspects of your job and the community as a whole. Demonstrate that we are "Stronger Together" as described in the Office for Diversity & Inclusion's Mission and Vision statements . Knowledge and Skills Needed:
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Previous financial aid experience is preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent computer skills. Experience in CSS PowerFaids or Ellucian preferred. Additional Information: Fast paced office with very heavy inter-personal communication. Weekend and evening office hours required. During holidays staffs are considered essential and are often required to be on campus. Application Instructions: Please apply online, faxes and emails will not be accepted. A cover letter is appreciated. 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

Keywords: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield , Finance Assistant, Other , Fairfield, Connecticut