Financial Aid Specialist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Financial Aid Specialist

Req ID: 67405BR

School or Unit: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Description: Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid, Interfaculty Programs, the Financial Aid Specialist serves as a senior support position responsible for coordinating work across the Harvard Griffin GSAS Financial Aid Office. This staff role works independently and with minimal supervision to manage, document, train, and perform a wide range of changing complex and confidential administrative, financial, and clerical duties in support of Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid operations.

Position Description

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Financial Aid Team Lead

• Primary liaison for Harvard GSAS Financial Aid Office with students, applicants, the GSAS academic degree programs, and administrative offices, both within Harvard and externally.
• Team leader for all aspects of customer service to prospective, admitted, and current students for GSAS financial aid policy and procedures.
• Responsible for creating and administering a fair and equitable term bill payment agreement process to be used by all staff working with students struggling with outstanding term bill balances.

Financial Aid Management

• Provides centralized Federal aid processing and centralized private loan processing for all FAO's, which includes understanding and coordinating the submission of required materials, and following all applicable Federal title IV aid rules, regulations and overall compliance mandates.
• Manages, disburses, and reconciles all HGSE-UAW awards.
• Serves as a primary liaison to academic centers with responsibility for both tracking and disbursing all center aid for Harvard Griffin GSAS students.
• Assists with the annual NIH-NSF Survey
• Coordinates processes for Emergency Hardships and the Presidential/Ashford Scholars selections.
• Administers summer school language tuition waiver program.

Staff Training

• Oversees the on-boarding and on-going training of all new staff assistants on financial processes critical to the delivery of aid to students.
• Works across the entire department to gradually build a culture of effective cross training for staff with the goal of creating a more fluid and flexible support model.
• Continually develops, enhances, and maintains a comprehensive training manual for all core processes, procedures, and functions performed by Harvard Griffin GSAS staff assistants.

Additional Duties and Projects

• Supports the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid with critical projects as needed.
• Key website content contributor, working with FAOs to update and improve department website.
• Performs all other related duties as needed in consultation with department managers.

Basic Qualifications

Five or more years of related experience. Education beyond high school may count toward experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including intermediate Excel skills.
• Working knowledge of basic financial aid administration processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyze financial data for accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills, as the role requires regular collaboration across a complex organization and the ability to develop strong working relations within the department and the university.
• Knowledge of PowerFAIDS helpful.

Additional Information

Please submit a cover letter at time of application.

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship now or in the future for this staff position.

All formal offers will be issued by FAS Human Resources.

About Us

Harvard Griffin GSAS is where scholarship and innovation meet, where ideas are challenged and theories developed, where new knowledge is created, and where scholars emerge. The mission of Harvard Griffin GSAS is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community, and to shape them into visionary scholars, innovative educators, and creative leaders.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 403040 Coordinator II

Job Function: General Administration

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Salary Grade: 055

Department: Harvard Griffin GSAS


Union: 55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity


Commitment to Equity Diversity Inclusion and Belonging: Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EOE Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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