Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University.
We invite you to join William Paterson University: a wonderful community to learn, work, grow, and thrive.
Spanning more than 400 wooded acres in suburban Wayne, New Jersey – just 20 miles from New York City – our campus is one of the most diverse in the nation and it ranks in the top 4 percent of colleges for social mobility: a measure of how well we graduate economically disadvantaged students into good-paying jobs.
Your work as a member of our team is important to our students and to the progress of our University. What you do here matters, and we value every contribution.
William Paterson University invites applications for WP Online Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Correspond with prospective, new, and continuing WP Online students (undergraduate & graduate), as well as other departmental personnel in regard to financial aid processes and available programs.
- Counsel students and parents regarding application procedures, eligibility requirements, cost of attendance, and management of available financial aid opportunities – loans, grants, etc.
- Prepare and present financial aid and budgetary workshops to students. Serve as the subject matter expert to team/staff including day to day support and assistance with issues related to financial aid that are escalated and/or cannot be resolved.
- Ensure problems are resolved in an efficient and effective manner, work collaboratively and effectively with team/staff to meet customer expectations in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Monitor satisfactory academic progress of students receiving financial aid. Process student aid application and package awards.
- Verify, assess and review student eligibility for financial aid and complete revisions and adjustments to awards within established parameters and in accordance with federal legislation, state statutes, and institutional guidelines.
- Prepare reports as requested by WPONL director and financial aid senior management.
- Collaborate with the Office of Financial Aid regarding student aid needs analysis, verify financial data and other criteria to confirm student aid eligibility for federal, state, and alternative financial aid award packaging.
- Demonstrate a firm understanding in government and private resources for funding a college education. Interpret, implement, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of Federal and State guidelines governing financial aid programs.
- Comply with current regulations of all federal, state, private and university programs.
- Evaluate unusual/mitigating circumstances documentation or appeal information provided by students and/or parents; exercise professional judgment by making adjustments or revisions to cost, contributions, need or dependency status as exceptions to documented processes/policies.
- Work with Office of Financial Aid to assist with new/improved electronic processing systems. Use various systems in the Office of Financial Aid to record, track and analyze student questions, and engagements.
- Analyze various system generated reports to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal, state and institutional guidelines; notify students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend situations.
- Attend weekly strategic meetings with Academic Affairs’ staff to resolve student roadblocks, promote student success, and support continual program development.
- Work closely with key Enrollment Management offices to connect and facilitate students’ smooth matriculation as well as acclimation to WP Online.
- Participate in professional student financial assistance associations.
- Act as liaison with various internal departments as appropriate.
- Perform other duties as assigned that are appropriate for the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Master’s degree preferred with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience.
- Financial aid counseling experience and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of federal regulations for administering student financial aid programs, financial aid need analysis, and processes.
- Knowledge of federal Title IV and state financial aid programs and regulations. Ability to use good judgment and make sound decisions.
- Proficient in Banner Student Information System, needs analysis, and federal/state financial aid programs.
- Ability to work well with a diverse community and groups.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Work well under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
- Must be able to work flexible hours, to include evenings and weekends, during peak registration times and/or to meet the needs of a demanding office.
Personal traits and attributes:
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written and oral format.
- Able to chart a clear vision of future objectives and capable of prioritizing work to achieve stated and agreed upon goals.
- Able to hold confidential information with discretion.
- Demonstrated ability to build networks and collaborative relationships in a complex environment with competing needs and wants.
Invitation to apply:
Interested candidates will be prompted to complete an application and submit a cover letter and resume. General questions related to this application process, please contact talent@wpunj.edu.
WP’s Employee Benefits and Perks:
We support flexible work arrangements and operate with a well-loved summer schedule. From late May through mid-August, our work week is adapted to a four-day schedule with most offices closed on Fridays, affording you more time to do what you love.
To support employees’ continued growth and success, we offer free tuition for you and your dependents to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at William Paterson. We also offer a summer learning and development program that has been nationally recognized for its innovation.
When we think about employee success and financial security, we think long-term. The University provides robust retirement savings plans, as well as an employee assistance program that provides financial counseling among its support services. Generous state-sponsored healthcare benefit plans also support your well-being needs.
William Paterson University’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
William Paterson University celebrates the diversity of our campus and our commitment to learn from each other, and about each other. A commitment to diversity is one of the University’s core values. We work to help create a more inclusive environment and university experience for faculty, students and staff at William Paterson University.
Since 2015, the University has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with more than 30 percent of current students claiming Hispanic heritage.
We are strong proponents of employees growing their careers at William Paterson. More than fifty percent of our roles on campus are filled by promotions from within. We’re not only committed to social mobility for our students, but also for our employees.
We offer a wide range of resources and programs that support diversity and inclusion at William Paterson University, as well as affinity groups, associations and centers including Advancing Women in Education, LGBTQIA+ Mentorship, Center for Latinidad and The Black Cultural Center.
William Paterson University is committed to protecting your privacy and will not sell your personal information.
EEO Statement
William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law.
