Student Financial Assistance - Assistant Director for Student Financial Assistance (Retention)

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, 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 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Assists in the counseling needs of the prospective first year, as well as shared responsibility for full-time undergraduates student financial assistance that seeks to complete higher education at Sacred Heart University.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

The Assistant Director is part of an enrollment management team responsible for the recruitment and retention of Sacred Heart University students.  In collaboration with senior SFA staff, they will have specific responsibilities for a group of students that includes but is not limited to a growing population of full-time undergraduates (FT UG). Responsibility for upper-class FT UG student aid processing and retention across campus requires the Assistant Director to be an active user of PioConnect and support freshmen and sophomore students.  This assistant will also support the processes associated with the attrition of students with respect to federal R2T4 and Exit Loan Counseling.

This individual will work in cooperation with the SFA team to maintain the highest levels of communications and technology to support the fast-paced, student-centered financial assistance program. The main management system for financial assistance is CSS Powerfaids.  Additionally, the office operates U.S. Depart. of Ed EDE systems, integrates data with Slate (Undergraduate Admissions) and Ellucian (University mainframe system), Perceptive Content documenting system, as well as maintaining a high profile on the world wide web and social networking systems.

• The Assistant Director must project a positive public relations image and be responsive to the goals and objectives of the University.
• General student financial aid counseling - application processing, need analysis, verification, awarding, tracking, and reporting.
•  Provide counseling for alternative financing and scholarship searches.
• Responsible for data entry and 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 and execution of student loan entrance interviews.
• Understanding of the registration process and detailed verification of enrollment status. 
• Check awarded student account information with the Office of Student Accounts.
• Follow up on its students’ loan/work study proceeds.
• Participate in all SFA Office and Divisional activities, including but not limited to University Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, Orientation, Welcome Weekends, Information Sessions, etc.
• All other duties as required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes 

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Previous higher education financial aid experience is preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Excellent computer skills. Experience with CSS Powerfaids and/or U.S. Department EDE systems is strongly preferred.

Unusual Working Conditions

Fast-paced office with very heavy interpersonal communication. Weekend and evening office hours are required.  During holidays staff are considered essential and are often required to be on campus or work remotely.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.