Job Details
Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.
The Financial Aid Office at Wesleyan University is dedicated to assisting both returning and first-time applicants in their financial aid journey. With a $90 million need-based financial aid program, Wesleyan is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students, offering aid without the use of loans.
Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director will join a service-oriented team and will be responsible for counseling students and parents in the areas of financial aid.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide top level customer service, advice, and counseling to students and families as they make decisions about college planning and financing.
- Perform need analysis and award aid to case load of approximately 300 first-year applicants and assume responsibility for a class of approximately 300 students after May 1 commitment date.
- Work independently to read and award financial aid to applicants under a tight timeline.
- Assist with the system processes and functions including full utilization of PowerFAIDS to ensure compliance and enhance efficiency.
- Perform weekly ISIR corrections.
- Serve as Security Liaison for the Financial Aid Office.
- Serve as Outside Scholarship Liaison.
- Work as a team to innovate and coordinate outreach activities to current and prospective students to improve file completion rates.
- Develop, coordinate, and participate in outreach activities with various on and off-campus partnerships, including current and prospective students, the Admission Office, Career Center, high schools, and community service organizations.
- Provide back-up support in various office functions.
- Co-manage various financial aid publications in conjunction with others on campus.
- Aid other staff in the back-office operations.
- Maintain knowledge of federal and institutional financial aid regulations and requirements to ensure legal, fair, and consistent administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
This position is an on-campus position with potential for a hybrid (on campus and remote) schedule in the future. The position is not designed to be performed primarily remotely. Any approved hybrid arrangement requires the employee to maintain a primary residence in Connecticut or another University-approved state (currently MA, VT, NH, ME, RI, NY and NJ). Relocation assistance to Connecticut is available for eligible candidates.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years of financial aid experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related experience in the profession.
- Strong interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail and a sense of humor.
- Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work independently as well as with students and parents, and with colleagues.
- Demonstrated empathetic customer service skills and experience advising others.
- Demonstrated and thorough working knowledge of computer systems and the ability and willingness to learn new systems/processes.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize information.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends as needed.
- Proven ability to set work priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
- Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
- Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience and proficiency with PowerFAIDS financial aid software.
- Experience with institutional methodology and need analysis.
- Counseling experience in a higher education setting.
- Knowledge of Federal Title IV, and state regulations.
- Fluency in a second language.
Additional Applicant Instructions:
Position is open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by August 24, 2026 when first review of applications will begin.
Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume.
Compensation: $52,400.00 - $61,300.00
Work Location: On Campus
