Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Department: Financial Aid CH
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

The expected salary for this position is between $55,000 - $59,000 per year, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, Chicago Campus, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid serves as a key resource for prospective and current graduate students, providing comprehensive guidance on financial aid programs, regulations, and financing options. This role is responsible for determining financial aid eligibility and developing award packages in accordance with federal methodology and University policies. The Assistant Director exercises independent judgment in analyzing complex financial circumstances, interpreting regulatory guidance, and reviewing adjustments and appeals. The position delivers detailed counseling and professional support to students through in-person appointments, phone, and email communications, helping them assess financing strategies and navigate the aid process. In addition, the Assistant Director manages the processing and administration of the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Grad PLUS Loan, private loan, and institutional loan programs for the University's Evanston graduate population. This role also contributes to the development and execution of the Graduate Aid Office's Financial Wellness initiatives, supporting student financial literacy and responsible borrowing practices.

This position has the possibility of being located on either the Evanston or the Chicago campus.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages the full lifecycle of federal and private student loans, including Direct Stafford, Parent PLUS, and private loan applications and certifications, ensuring all eligibility and regulatory requirements are met. Works within federal systems and lender-specific platforms (including ELM) to process and certify loans accurately and efficiently. Provides comprehensive counseling to students on loan options, application processes, and responsible borrowing. Collaborates cross-functionally to resolve application, origination, and system-related issues, and performs monthly reconciliation of loan activity across multiple financial aid offices to ensure compliance and financial accuracy.
• Supports the administration of graduate funding programs by monitoring program budgets, tracking and reconciling expenditures, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations. Coordinates annual federal reporting with university accounting and helps ensure financial accuracy across aid programs. Maintains current knowledge of financial aid policies and regulations, advises students on how policy requirements affect their eligibility and awards, and reviews and processes allowable adjustments to financial aid packages, including enrollment changes, while helping students understand and navigate updates to their aid.
• Oversees financial aid operations for complex graduate and professional program structures, leading process improvements to expand efficiency and service quality; partnering with IT to optimize systems and automation (PeopleSoft, MachForm, NSC/NSLDS); testing and validating PeopleSoft upgrades to ensure accurate aid processing and communicating updates to staff; and advancing modern communication tools, workflows, and student service delivery.
• Develops and delivers the Graduate Financial Wellness Program through workshops, events, and informational sessions focused on budgeting, credit management, financial planning, and responsible use of financial aid. Collaborates with campus partners to integrate financial education into student spaces and maintains the Financial Wellness website with timely, relevant content and tools. Represents the University at presentations and public-facing events, explains the financial aid process in clear and accessible terms, and contributes to recruitment and enrollment efforts by effectively communicating funding options and overall affordability.
• Provides high-quality, personalized financial aid counseling to students and campus partners by providing clear guidance, resolving concerns, and ensuring a supportive and responsive experience.
• Uses data analytics and reporting to evaluate aid utilization and trends in graduate student financial need, partnering with graduate program leadership to develop financial aid strategies that strengthen departmental priorities and increase the competitiveness of graduate programs.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree; or appropriate combination of education and experience
• 2-3 years' experience in financial aid
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to work as a leader in the office and member of the team
• Experience in explaining, processing, and reviewing federal financial aid regulations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree
• Experience in an office that uses PeopleSoft student information system
• Experience in a highly selective, complex, institution of higher education
• Experience with private loans and working with ELM software
• Experience in packaging financial aid
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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