Financial Aid and Admissions Officer

Company Description

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.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth

C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Independently perform a variety of financial aid activities including reviewing and evaluating financial information submitted by applicants to determine aid award in accordance with established federal and university standards and guidelines.

• Serve as a member of the College Financial Aid and Admissions Committees, with primary responsibility for counseling students (typically, about 450) and their families regarding financial aid issues.
• Evaluate financial aid applications for both returning and newly admitted students, using federal and institutional guidelines and methodologies.
• Provide a high level of customer service to students and families as part of the Officer of the Day team, answering general phone and email correspondence at least once per week.
• Participate in the Financial Aid Committee, which responds to request for reconsiderations of aid awards; serve as assigned students’ representative to the committee.
• Assist in the formulation of policy and procedures, as well as a variety of projects and programs.

• Read and evaluate admissions applications from assigned geographical regions (approximately, 850). Apply discretion and independent judgment in deciding which qualified students should be presented to the Admissions Committee for possible admission.
• Provide information about Harvard College and its admissions process through information sessions or other events on campus or virtually. Travel may be undertaken independently or as joint travel with other institutions.
• Handle communications with prospective students, applicants, parents, secondary school administrators, and the public.
• Conduct interviews of prospective and current applicants.
• Develop and nurture relationships with alumni/ae interviewers.
• May chair an admissions subcommittee and/or serve as a liaison to an athletics team.

• Must be able to work nights/weekends and travel as needed.
• Work is typically performed in an office setting, but may be hybrid, as directed by FAS.
• Admissions committee members are expected to have reliable internet access.
• This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Any remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (such as CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, NJ, RI, and VT).

• Work will require sitting, near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), including ability to make presentations to large groups of students, parents, and alumni.
• Demonstrated commitment to high level of customer service.
• Ability to work well under pressure, strong time management and organizational skills, demonstrated initiative, strong…