Position Overview
The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is critical to providing support, advice, and customer service to our families, students, and colleagues. This position will be responsible for the day to day counseling and guidance offered to a specific caseload of students and families.
Primary Responsibilities:
Counsel and advise prospective and current full and part-time students/families on the availability of financial aid. Manage a caseload of students, including adjustments of financial aid based on eligibility. Manage a program(s) or area of additional responsibility. Review, award, and revise federal and institutional financial aid in compliance with respective policies and procedures subject to federal, state, and institutional audit. Perform verification procedures; request and interpret supporting documentation (ie, tax returns, tax transcripts, government agency information); analyze accuracy of data provided. Review/evaluate general, Professional Judgment, and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, make corrections when necessary, and determine eligibility for institution, state, and federal aid. Access federal systems such as FSA Partners, FSA Partner Portal for FAFSA corrections, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) and analyze federal financial aid history using the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Work closely with other departments, such as Admissions, Registrar, Billing, Academic Success Center, etc. to streamline processes and improve the student experience. Conduct financial aid sessions and trainings as needed, represent student financial services at Open Houses, Welcome Days and other on-campus related events. Other responsibilities as assigned.Qualifications:
A strong commitment to customer service. Bachelor’s degree required with two years or more of financial aid experience in a higher education setting. Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV, Massachusetts state, and institutional regulations and procedures to ensure compliance. Experience with federal financial aid data systems including NSLDS, FSA Partners, and COD. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Experience with financial aid software systems, PowerFAIDS preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational and problem- solving skills. Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed at various times throughout the year.
Application Materials Should Include:
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Vaccinations and Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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