Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Financial Aid

The Assistant Director of Graduate & Professional Financial Aid manages the administration and awarding of financial aid programs for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). This role oversees all aspects of the financial aid process, including eligibility determination, budget development, verification, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and Return to Title IV (R2T4), across funding sources such as institutional aid, private scholarships, federal Title IV programs, state grants, and loan programs.

The Assistant Director also serves as a key resource for COM students, providing guidance and support throughout the financial aid process.

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the successful candidate will have a strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and best practices. They will actively work to enhance the student experience and play a key role in reviewing, updating, and improving financial aid policies, procedures, and operations.

About the University of New England

UNE is Maine's largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to Maine's only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts.

Benefits Overview

* Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage.

* Up to 8% retirement plan match.

* Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year.

* Educational benefits:

* UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners.

* UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service.

* 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service.

For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview

Responsibilities

* Perform the packaging of individual financial aid awards for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), including reviewing applications, determining eligibility, verifying data accuracy, calculating need, and authorizing disbursement of funds. Monitor and adjust awards as necessary to ensure compliance with regulations such as R2T4, SAP, verification, and SAR C-codes.

* Interpret and help develop policies regarding special circumstances, including appeals for additional aid from graduate and professional students. Annually develop Cost of Attendance (COA) standards based on regional cost analysis and actual University expenses.

* Stay current on all relevant government regulations governing financial aid and incorporate updates into University policies, procedures, and guidelines.

* Serve as a liaison with COM to ensure Financial Aid functions meet the needs of the college and its students. Represent Financial Aid in internal and external meetings or organizations as appropriate.

* Present financial aid information to student groups as required.

* Coordinate and support COM at various recruitment and service events, such as orientations, loan default prevention programs (entrance/exit interviews), and the Osteoblast program.

* Prepare a variety of administrative and management reports as needed to assess market position, student experience, and financial wellness.

* Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and three to five years of experience in student financial aid administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing comparable knowledge and skills.

* Experience administering R2T4, SAP, verification, SAR C‑codes, and exercising professional judgment for graduate and professional students.

* Proven ability to independently package, award, monitor, and adjust financial aid in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

* Comprehensive working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and regulations, with experience implementing regulatory changes.

* Experience developing and maintaining Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets using institutional and regional cost data.

* Demonstrated experience providing individual and group financial aid counseling, including delivering presentations to students and stakeholders.

* Strong analytical, documentation, and reporting skills, including preparing administrative and compliance reports suitable for audit and accreditation review.

* Excellent communication skills to effectively counsel students and address student concerns.

* Direct experience with federal Title IV programs preferred.

* Knowledge of SCT Banner preferred.

* Ability to travel between campuses as needed.

EEO Statement…