Assistant Director of Financial Aid

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard Medical School's mission is to nurture a diverse, inclusive community dedicated to alleviating suffering and improving health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching and learning, discovery and scholarship, and service and leadership.

You’ll be at the heart of biomedical discovery, education, and innovation, working alongside world‑renowned faculty and a community dedicated to improving human health. This is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of medicine.

The Financial Aid Office at Harvard Medical School provides comprehensive financial counseling and support to more than 650 M.D. students, as well as students enrolled in HMS master’s programs. The office administers a $42 million M.D. financial aid program designed to reduce financial barriers to an HMS education. Funding is derived from a combination of institutional, federal, and private sources. More than $20 million in institutional need‑based scholarship funding is awarded annually to HMS students, along with over $2 million in institutional need‑based loan funds.

Eligibility for institutional aid requires a thorough assessment of both student and parental financial resources. In addition, the office supports approximately 275 master’s students through the administration of federal financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Office is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service while fostering a positive, supportive, and team‑oriented work environment. The Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in delivering a student‑centered, service‑driven financial aid experience.

This position oversees frontline operations, enhances customer engagement strategies, and ensures that all interactions with students and families are clear, supportive, and compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Assistant Director partners across campus to improve access, communication, and the overall financial aid experience, recognizing that effective service is critical to student recruitment, retention, and success. The role also involves developing and delivering presentations and educational sessions for M.D. and master’s students on topics such as loan repayment, entrance counseling, financial literacy, and programming for events including Accepted Student Preview Days.

• Manages a caseload of M.D. and master’s students, with responsibilities that include need analysis, financial aid packaging, and debt counseling.
• Performs initial screening of financial aid application materials. Maintains databases. Triages financial aid questions from applicants and current students. Serves as information source, responds to email inquiries, and prepares correspondence. Handles sensitive and confidential applicant information.
• Prepares quarterly and end‑of‑year reports for Director of Financial Aid concerning financial status of the department. Ensures the effective management of account spending.
• Oversees Financial Aid Office budget/fiscal operations, which includes purchasing and inventory tracking of office supplies and equipment.
• Supports the coordination and execution of operational initiatives and special projects within the Financial Aid Office, including managing scheduling and prioritization of meetings and engagements.
• Represents Harvard Medical School at university‑wide Financial Aid Administrators monthly meetings. Collaborates with colleagues around the University to ensure efficient operations.
• Collaborates closely with Director to develop and maintain debt management and financial literacy education initiatives for HMS students. Participates in developing University‑wide financial education initiatives.
• Within all areas of responsibility, assists the Director in ensuring that the Office of Financial Aid operates as part of a dynamic and interdependent…