Financial Aid Officer

• Harvard Job Function:
  Faculty & Student Services
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 056
• Department:
  Admissions and Financial Aid
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt

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.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

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.

Job Summary: 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.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the College Financial Aid Committee, with primary responsibility for counseling students (typically, about 450) and their families regarding financial aid issues.
• Calculate financial aid awards for entering and returning students; evaluate financial need 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.
• Participate in the Financial Aid Committee, which responds to requests for reconsiderations of aid awards; serve as assigned students’ representative to the Committee.
• Facilitate the external scholarships and grants process (outside awards), including eligibility and payments; provide guidance and training to colleagues on how to manage these in the context of financial aid awarding, especially in peak times.
• Assess and improve related processes and training to expand office knowledge and provide more efficient customer service.
• Assist in the formulation of policy and procedures, as well as a variety of projects and programs.

Working Conditions:

• Night/weekend work and travel may be required.
• Work is typically performed in an office setting, but may be hybrid, as directed by FAS.
• This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. All remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, and VT).

Physical Requirements:

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

Basic Qualifications
(required):

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills
(preferred):

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Demonstrated commitment to high level of customer service.
• Ability to work well under pressure, strong time management and organizational skills, demonstrated initiative, strong attention to detail, and ability to keep information confidential.
• Problem solving skills, including ability to develop and analyze…