Assistant Director of Financial Aid

About Bay Path University:

When Bay Path opened its doors to students in 1897, it had a very clear goal: to provide a practical, affordable, and career-oriented education to prepare students to not only meet the needs of companies, organizations, and communities but to also thrive in their professions, identify and realize their dreams, and make a lasting difference in the world. From the beginning, Bay Path prided itself on being entrepreneurial, constantly pushing the boundaries of the academic experience to fit the student...to start them on the road of success. That spirit and philosophy is best reflected in our shared vision, "At Bay Path, every learner's dreams of a better career, a richer life, and a brighter future will be realized."

Recognizing that our learners come first, we know it is equally important that we develop, cultivate, and sustain a culture that binds us together as a community. As part of the University's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, we draw upon our eight Core Values-beliefs that provide the internal framework and a moral compass for how we work and interact with each other.

Bay Path University, an independent and not-for-profit institution, was named Among Fastest Growing Baccalaureate Colleges and Graduate Programs by The Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac, and is a member of the Women's College Coalition. With a main campus in Longmeadow, MA, and a satellite location in East Longmeadow, MA, Bay Path offers undergraduate, graduate (for women and men) degrees, and professional certificates.

For 125 years, we have been committed to preparing our students to navigate a constantly changing world. Whether it is one of our innovative academic programs, groundbreaking online learning platform, or We Empower Learners and Leaders initiative, we educate our students in ways that will help them to grow, learn to adapt, and always to flourish. Be part of the change. Be Bay Path.

We invite you to visit our website at www.baypath.edu where you can learn more about Bay Path University.


Job Description:

Supervisor: Executive Director of
Student Financial Services with a dotted
line to Cambridge College Vice
President for Finance and
Administration
Position Code: ADFA
Status: FT
Hours: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours weekly 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, nights and weekends as needed, (2 hybrid
days to be determined)
Job Location: Boston/Longmeadow
Exempt (Yes/No): Yes

JOB SUMMARY:

This full-time permanent, mid-level administrative position reports to the Executive Director of Student Financial Services with a dotted line to the Cambridge College Vice President for Finance and Administration. The primary responsibilities are managing and facilitating the origination, maintenance and disbursement of the federal Pell Grant, Direct Loan, monthly reconciliations, refunding of payments, and ensuring the programs comply with federal regulations. A working knowledge of PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar, EdConnect, COD, NSLDS, and other Department of Education software tools is required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as Cambridge College interim Primary Point Destination Administrator for federal financial aid systems under the supervision of the Executive Director of Student Financial Services.
• Process Cambridge College Direct Loan Programs (including subsidized, unsubsidized and PLUS loans) and Pell Grants from to origination through disbursement, as well as awarding.
• Parent and Graduate PLUS loans and TEACH Grant utilizing the Common Origination & Disbursement Systems (COD).
• Perform monthly reconciliation for the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Pell Grant Programs.
• Maintain procedures for Direct Loan and Pell Grant Programs including disbursement disclosure notifications.
• Responsible for compliance regulations for Direct Loan and Pell Programs.
• Manages SULA, LEU, POP and MMR reporting with financial aid counselors.
• Certify and disburse all private loans on ELM.
• Provides supervision Financial Aid Administrators for day to day functions.
• Monitor SAP each semester.
• Perform calculations to identify, package, and manage need-based scholarships for eligible students.
• Process Return of Title IV funds calculations under supervision of the Executive Director of Student Financial Services.
• Some nights or weekends as required during key times of the year.
• Attend trainings as required.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned by the University.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend regional and national conferences relevant to job requirements and federal regulations as needed.
• Provide assistance as needed with advising, counseling, and educating students, prospective students, and their respective family members as it relates to their financial eligibility.
• Work with Bursar/Student Accounts Office as needed regarding Title IV disbursements and refunds.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Yes.


Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred or a combination of education and 3-4 years direct financial aid experience.
• Minimum three years direct experience with federal methodology, awarding federal and institutional aid, verification, C-flags, cost of attendance budgets and Title IV funding.
• Spanish speaking preferred
• PowerFAIDS, Jenzabar and Microsoft Excel experience required.
• Ability to perform work with frequent deadlines and extreme external pressure to complete assignments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive, helping attitude.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues from across the University and to work cooperatively as a member of the financial aid team.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with a variety of academic calendars and multiple fiscal years.
• Thoroughness, accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Ability to set priorities and work independently and with a minimum of supervision.
• Experience effectively managing projects and/or systems in support of business functions. A thorough understanding of the financial aid process is required.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written formats as well as to create and maintain positive, productive working relationships with both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Possess the ability to troubleshoot and solve technical challenges across multiple software and operating systems.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Knowledge of higher education computer systems and software applications.
• Must have ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion.
• A passionate commitment to the mission of the University.
• Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and within FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
• All new employees must complete the FERPA, Anti-Harassment, and any other required online trainings within 15 days of employment.
• Should be committed to a culture of diversity, equity, respect and inclusion; demonstrated ability to build working relationships with people having a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences different from ones' own.
• General knowledge of the University's mission, purpose and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.

Additional Information:

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bay Path University is a diverse community devoted to proactively nurturing a campus-wide culture that promotes and ensures equity, respect, inclusion and safety for all members regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, socio-economic background, or physical ability. We are one University that opens our hearts and minds to conversations, to learning and to creating a community that is welcoming of all. Regardless of position, it is expected that each employee will embrace this commitment and demonstrate an attitude of respect toward and acceptance of all members of our community.


Application Instructions:

Applicants for this position should attach a cover letter, resume / curriculum vitae, and any other relevant information pertaining to this position and your candidacy. Please apply online. Faxes and emails will not be accepted.

Bay Path University is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and learning in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, women and all underrepresented backgrounds. An Equal Opportunity Employer, Bay Path University is committed to fostering diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff.

Bay Path University is a smoke and tobacco-free community.

All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory background checking.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position please email us at HR@baypath.edu or call 413-565-1157.