Assistant Director For Counseling And Special Programs

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Office of Financial Aid is a part of the Division of Enrollment Management, which also includes the Office of Admissions, Office of Military Services, and the Mason Student Services Center, reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management. The Division of Enrollment Management is a part of the Office of the Provost.

About the Position:

This position provides assistance to students and their families with the financial aid process, including advising students about eligibility, application procedures, available programs, costs and financial management strategies, financing options, and debt management and financial planning. Responsible for reviewing applications for accuracy and verification in order to determine financial need and the student’s aid package. Serves as a key contact point for the development and implementation of Special Programs and new management initiatives, such as the University partnership with Wiley and the Mason NOVA Advance program. Serves as the escalation point for other counselors who are working with students in Special Programs to solve problems and issues that arise. This position is responsible for maintaining a thorough working knowledge of all Federal Title IV, State, and institutional financial aid regulations. Must be able to evaluate Professional Judgment and Income Reduction request and student Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.
This position may be required to assist with community outreach activities, which may require some evening or weekend activities.

Responsibilities:

• Financial aid advising, participating in outreach activities, financial aid data review, verification, awarding, and packaging, overseeing and monitoring implementation and continuation of new Special Programs and partnerships, and acting as the escalation point for any issues that arise with Special Programs and new initiatives;
• Monitoring (via reports) new programs and Special populations to ensure that packaging and processing of aid is working as it should;
• Acting as the escalation point for counselors or the Mason Student Services Center staff, and working with students in Special Programs;
• Providing outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience and understanding to students and families who are seeking and or receiving financial aid;
• Advising students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, educational costs, and financial management strategies, including loans, financing options, and other financial aid related matters (further including debt management and financial planning);
• Counseling students and parents regarding financing an education at the university (heavy contact with students and families via e-mail, phone, and in-person);
• Reviewing student applications for accuracy, and determine financial need and award aid in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations;
• Calculating student award packages and utilizing various software programs and federal, state, and university resources, including gift aid and self-help; maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations and the internal policies and procedures of the university, and monitoring and verifying information with required documents;
• Processing applications and corrections, need analysis, document tracking, and evaluation of those documents; and
• Verifying accuracy of documents and consistency of financial aid data, federal tax transcripts, financial aid verification documents, and student information, and generating award notifications or denying aid if ineligible.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related field or equivalent experience;
• In-depth knowledge of federal student aid rules and regulations;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, collaborative, and computer software skills;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a team environment; and
• Demonstrated ability to provide the highest level of service to students and their families, including in-depth contact with students and families via e-mail, telephone and in-person.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Ellucian Banner financial aid software;
• Experience with Salesforce case management software;
• Experience with using a call center software phone system;
• Experience with Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations;
• Demonstrated success in managing in-person, telephone, and email communications with skill and finesse; and
• Ability to communicate in Spanish.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director for Counseling andSpecial Programs at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: February 7, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: March 6, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes