Job: Director of Financial Aid

Jobing Description

Readvertised 1/17/12

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the nation enrolling 1825 students who represent 45 states and more than 67 countries on a beautiful 713 acre campus in central Maine. Colby seeks candidates for a:

DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID

Colby College seeks applications and nominations for a Director of Financial Aid. Reporting to the Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Director of Financial Aid is responsible for financial aid policy and planning for all undergraduates (numbering 1815; 40% aided) and for counseling and processing financial aid applications for the new first-year class each year. The distinctive structure of this position provides an outstanding opportunity for a financial aid professional who is interested both in strategic planning and budget development and who values interacting with prospective students and their parents during the application process.

Colby College has an aggressive and generous financial aid program, spending more than 27 million each year to support outstanding students from all socioeconomic backgrounds access the College. Financial aid at Colby is need-based only, and students who are offered admission have their financial need met fully by grant aid and campus employment. Although many aided students choose to borrow student loans to assist with paying the family contribution, loans are not a part of the student s financial aid award.

The Director of Financial Aid works closely with the Office of Student Financial Services whose staff is responsible for processing the financial aid applications for all returning students, as well as all loan processing, student employment, and interaction with federal processing systems. Among the Director s specific responsibilities are: participate in the preparation and management of the aid budget in conjunction with the offices of Financial Planning and Student Financial Services; need analysis, review and counseling for prospective students and their families; communication of financial aid policy and data (including educating the admissions staff, preparing annual communications materials for prospective students and their families, and preparing reports for various constituencies); monitoring Federal and other regulatory agencies policies; preparation and analysis of financial aid data to support yield projections, and other duties as assigned. Within the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid the Director is supported by an Associate Dean and a highly skilled operations staff person whose responsibilities are split between financial aid and admissions.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in student financial aid and will be knowledgeable about Federal financial aid policies and issues. Experience with the College Scholarship Service Profile and the use of institutional methodology is strongly preferred, as is experience with the Jenzabar system. The successful candidate will be an outstanding communicator, able to write and speak clearly about a complex process, and will be skilled in detailed financial analysis. The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities is essential, as are flexibility, attention to detail, and a service orientation. A Bachelor s degree is required as well as a minimum of 7 years experience in student financial aid or a related field.

Interested candidates may apply electronically by clicking the "Apply Now" button below or please submit your letter of application, resume and the names and telephone numbers of three references to: