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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Summary
This position will manage, direct, develop and administer the financial aid and scholarship programs for the U-M School of Information (UMSI) with full supervisory, budgetary, planning and program authority, as approved by the central UM Office of Financial Aid. Responsibilities focus on ensuring financial aid and admission processes work together to recruit the highest quality students to all UMSI degree programs, undergraduate, residential masters, online masters, and doctoral, counseling prospective and current students regarding financial aid and scholarship programs, and ensuring that appropriate staff members and teams are informed of financial aid issues, trends, legislation and regulations.
This role can be hybrid but does require on-site work due to the leadership and collaboration needed. Flexible work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent upon the business needs of the school and/or university requirements.
This position reports to the Senior Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions at UMSI and the Senior Associate Director in the central Office of Financial Aid.
Who We Are
The School of Information (UMSI) is a progressive, interdisciplinary professional school offering five academic programs including an undergraduate degree, three masters degrees, and a PhD. Our mission is to create and share knowledge so that people will use information with technology to build a better world. UMSI is a growing school, with innovative and fast-changing curriculum, requiring adept student services that can evolve with the school changes. The successful candidate will thrive in an open, fast-paced and collaborative work environment, and have a desire to work with our talented and diverse students, faculty, and staff population. For more details about the School of Information and our programs, please see our website.
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students' experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members, and up to 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units: the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to diverse and inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
Student Financials Management and Leadership
- Autonomously exercise professional judgment to resolve complex, unusual and mitigating circ*mstances, and amend aid eligibility.
- Manage a multitude of financial aid programs and authorize aid for which the student is eligible, ensuring compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, and laws. This includes developing budgets, administering aid, and reporting on a variety of special programs.
- Coordinate, track, and process UMSI student financial aid applications and transactions, serving as lead for funding within UMSI; collaborating with relevant internal and external partners. Work alongside Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid team to contribute toward creation and implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies and tactics related to financial aid.
Scholarship and Fellowship Administration
- Identify and evaluate new financial aid and scholarship programs (internal and external) to ensure compliance, in conjunction with OFA; manage communication, selection, and tracking.
- Post, track, and review scholarship award disbursem*nts; conduct regular audits. Develop and maintain a comprehensive scholarship tracking database
- Manage the matching process for donor/endowed funds, including collaboration with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) for annual review of new and ongoing accounts.
- Process scholarship/fellowship awards, including management of award entry, conditions forms, and reporting; run reports to ensure successful disbursem*nt and tracking; participate in benefits processing for fellowship students; coordinate the award processing of a range of grants available to UMSI students.
- Work alongside academic success to determine and implement policies regarding scholarship conditions. Review scholarship petitions and exceptions on case by case basis.
Reporting, Documentation, and Administration
- Maintain knowledge of financial aid policies, practices, and implications for UMSI students with populations including: graduate, undergraduate, doctoral, online and residential, international students, transfer students.
- Create and maintain reports, including annual summaries, of current and encumbered scholarship awards.
- Create and maintain all UMSI financial aid process documents, forms, and policies; review, make recommendations, and update as needed. Develop and manage awarding methodology, policy and procedure documentation, process innovation, and staff updates/training as needed.
- Collaborate closely with partner offices such as DAR, the UMSI Finance Office, UMSI student facing offices, and the U-M Office of Financial Aid regarding initiatives, updates in policy, and student financial operations. Support and contribute to projects working cross-functionally with these teams.
- Participate in website administration and update as needed; emphasis on making recommendations based on best practice for transparency and clarity related to tuition, financial aid, and funding opportunities.
Financial Aid Counseling
- Provide counseling and serve as an advisor related to financial aid programs, policies, and procedures to incoming and current students; communicate resources.
- Coordinate efforts and streamline communications across relevant UMSI units such as academic success, academic advising.
- Collaborate with recruitment and admissions on efforts to promote grant and scholarship opportunities to prospective and current students.
- Serve as a resource for financial aid questions for the broader UMSI Community.
Additional Related Projects
- Provide relevant data related to I-20 budgets to the UMSI I-20 team; serve as support for I-20 processing as needed.
- Help promote financial aid opportunities to students including participation in systems creation for this purpose. Identify and implement opportunities for streamlining and managing workflows through system management and development.
- Other projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.
- Three years of experience working in financial aid at a four-year college or university.
- Excellent computer skills and experience with web-based systems, word processing, databases, and basic spreadsheets. Including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google collaboration tools and database management.
- Strong student/customer service experience and excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work well within a team as well as independently; ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
- Demonstrated project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail. Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information. Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines. Ability to consistently meet deadlines with ability to work effectively in a high-stress and fast-paced environment.
- Ability to contribute to a positive work community; ability to approach work with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind; demonstrated ability to treat others with respect, dignity and in a manner where individuals feel they belong; proven ability to successfully interact with a diverse group of people.
Desired Qualifications*
- Training, certification, or Masters degree in higher education or related field.
- Experience with fast-paced and innovative higher educational environments managing volume and complexity.
- Experience with data reporting in various query tools, such as Business Objects.
- Knowledge of University and School of Information programs, including familiarity with UMSI's policies, programs and core values.
- Knowledge and use of Oracle system for financial aid management and eligibility determinations.
Additional Information
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process maybegin as early as the eighth day after posting.Thisopening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
As someone deeply immersed in the field of higher education administration and financial aid management, I bring years of hands-on experience and expertise to the table. My involvement spans various aspects of financial aid administration, scholarship management, and student counseling, aligning closely with the intricacies outlined in the position description provided.
Let me break down the core components highlighted in the article:
Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs Management
The role primarily entails managing, directing, and administering financial aid and scholarship programs for the U-M School of Information (UMSI). This involves:
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Leadership and Supervision: Overseeing financial aid processes, including supervisory, budgetary, planning, and programmatic responsibilities.
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Recruitment and Admissions Support: Collaborating with recruitment and admissions teams to ensure seamless integration of financial aid processes into student recruitment efforts.
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Policy Compliance and Reporting: Ensuring compliance with financial aid policies, legislation, and regulations while also maintaining accurate documentation and reporting procedures.
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Scholarship and Fellowship Administration: Managing the entire lifecycle of scholarships and fellowships, including identification, evaluation, disbursem*nt, and tracking.
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Financial Aid Counseling: Providing guidance and advising services to prospective and current students regarding financial aid programs, policies, and procedures.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders, including academic success units, development offices, and central financial aid offices.
Qualifications and Requirements
The position mandates a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, coupled with at least three years of relevant experience in financial aid administration within a higher education setting. Additionally, the ideal candidate should possess:
- Proficiency in computer applications and web-based systems, including Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, essential for effective collaboration and student counseling.
- Demonstrated project management abilities, including the capacity to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
Desired Qualifications
While not mandatory, the following qualifications are desirable for the role:
- Advanced training or certification in higher education administration.
- Familiarity with complex data reporting tools and financial aid management systems, such as Oracle.
- Experience in fast-paced educational environments with a focus on innovation and adaptability.
Additional Information
The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous time off, retirement plans, healthcare coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
In summary, the position requires a dynamic individual capable of navigating the complexities of financial aid administration within a rapidly evolving academic landscape. From managing diverse student populations to fostering inclusive environments, the role demands a blend of strategic vision, operational agility, and unwavering commitment to student success.
