Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Bard College is seeking a Financial Aid Assistant Director to join its Student Financial Services Office. This is a full-time, exempt, 12 months per year position based on the Bard College campus in Annandale-on-Hudson and involves some travel. This position reports to the Bard College Director of Student Financial Services.

The successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion. The Financial Aid Assistant Director will share responsibility for Bard College financial aid, broadly speaking, while also holding primary responsibility for financial aid functions in support of specific Bard degree programs, most notably the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI)—which currently operates seven college-in-prison sites, three Microcolleges, and the BardBac program on the Bard College campus in Annandale-on-Hudson—and Bard College Berlin.

A private institution serving the public interest, Bard College is committed to critical inquiry, civic engagement, and the expansion of educational access. Formed in 1999 to address the mass incarceration crisis, the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) defies expectations of who college is for and where it might lead. One of the most rigorous and effective college-in-prison programs in the country, BPI is now extending its radical intervention in educational inequity outside of prison through the Bard Microcolleges and BardBac.

The position of Assistant Director will assist in all functions related to financial aid, working closely with the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the BPI Director of Budget and Financial Aid and the Director of Student Financial Services. The individual must be a dynamic, highly-skilled financial aid professional.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise students about financial aid eligibility and application procedures for state and federal aid programs
• Serve as a primary point of contact for incoming and continuing students and alums of the BardBac, Bard Microcolleges, and Bard College Berlin
• Contribute to the efficient and effective operation of Student Financial Services by assisting with the day-to-day office activities
• Collect and analyze financial data of students to determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, state and institutional guidelines
• Review financial aid applications to ensure students are eligible for federal, state and institutional funding
• Remain current with ever-changing regulations, and maintain compliance with all regulations impacting all types of financial aid
• Oversee development of additional resources for students seeking to rehabilitate defaulted loans and reestablish financial aid eligibility
• Prepare reports as required
• Systematize processes with program staff to ensure consistency and coordination across all BPI campuses and Bard College Berlin
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Please note that this position includes roughly four site visits to BPI correctional facilities and four site visits to Microcollege locations each year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible financial aid experience in a financial aid office
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace; knowledge of Ellucian Banner strongly preferred
• Experience with administering the NYS TAP program and/or the federal Direct Loan program is highly desired
• Exceptional attention to detail and excellent communication and customer service skills required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and work in standard office environment
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds and carry boxes of books and course materials
• Must be able to work occasional weekends and evenings, as needed

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/152276.

Compensation: $60,000 - $65,0000

This salary range reflects the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Benefits Overview

We are pleased to offer our full-time employees an excellent benefit package which includes; multiple health insurance options; TIAA retirement plans; generous vacation, sick, and personal time; and more. To learn more about employee benefits and eligibility at Bard College, please visit https://www.bard.edu/humanresources/benefits/.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.