THIS IS AN INTERNAL POSTING FOR CURRENT UMASS DARTMOUTH EMPLOYEES ONLY.

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Associate Director of Financial Aid (Law)           

DIVISION: Academic and Student Affairs

DEPARTMENT: Financial Aid Law School

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 14

SCHEDULE: Monday to Thursday, two days 9 am-5 pm, two days 10 am-6:30 pm; Fridays 9 am-4 pm.

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT                                                                   

REPORTS TO: Assistant Dean of Students, Law School; will take some functional direction from the Director of Financial Aid.

SUPERVISES: N/A

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: Performs Financial Aid administrative duties; provides financial aid counseling; performs financial aid application evaluation and awarding; provides financial aid and outreach services to law students; performs related work as required.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As part of the professional staff team, initiates, develops, evaluates, discusses and recommends office policies and procedures used in the administration of federal, state, and campus-based programs. Responsible for all financial aid activities for both prospective and admitted law students, including the following elements:
  • advises on processes, special circumstances and appeals, and appropriate individual options.
  • develops and updates Law School financial aid applications and annual cost of attendance budgets.
  • reviews aid applications for accuracy, including in-depth evaluation (federal and/or institutional verification) of various financial documents (e.g. federal tax returns, mortgage statements, real estate and business asset information). Composes correspondence/forms and follows-up on matters needing clarification.
  • formulates initial and subsequent financial aid awards for eligible students, based on need analysis.
  • reviews and acts upon students’ and families’ request for consideration of special circumstances, appeals, and re-evaluations using independent professional judgment.
  • reviews students for satisfactory academic progress and administers appeals process.
  • oversees and performs return of Title VI funds processes.
• Process financial aid, provide information, outreach, and assistance to law students, including individual and group sessions with prospective law students, 1L financial aid reviews, exit repayment, leave of absence, and withdrawal process, and bar stipend reviews.
• Respond to financial aid-related veterans benefit questions.
• Provide leadership in managing fiscal activities related to law students and analyzing information coming in on student FAFSA data.
• Provide reporting as needed related to law student fiscal demographics, including American Bar Association and US News reports.
• May assume administrative responsibility of the Office in the absence of the Director and Associate Director.
• Collaborate and maintain a working relationship with other university offices, other campuses, and off-campus agencies and individuals relating to student financial aid, and serve as needed on law school committees.
• Provide regulatory research services by utilizing documents, websites, technical encyclopedia, etc.
• Utilize manual and computerized information systems in operational activities, including university, federal, and state processing systems. Develops criteria for various reports. Reviews reports for accuracy of information provided and utilizes reports for numerous projects and activities crucial to financial aid processing.
• Coordinate and conduct aid information activities, including orientation, prospective student events, and other presentations and events on- and off-campus.
• Perform other financial aid operational, informational, and project activities as required by the supervisor.
• Provide supervisory coverage as needed for the law school enrollment center.
• Will cross-train with the main campus registrar, bursar, and recruitment functions so he/she can answer basic questions and provide student support in the law school enrollment center.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree.
• EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated experience administering financial aid programs and systems.
• OTHER: Occasional evening/weekend hours as projects dictate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with financial aid computer system applications.
• Experience in an academic financial aid office.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated proficiency with, and knowledge of, complex federal, state and institutional student aid regulations and policies, including Federal Methodology and Needs Analysis.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency with applications software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency with computerized electronic financial aid systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain proper contacts with financial aid sources (organizations and individuals).
• Ability to counsel and gain confidence of students.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively with others.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of records.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well in writing and orally, including public speaking engagements.
• Customer service skills.

NOTE: Other job-related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organizational needs.

SALARY:  $71,337.00 to $$89,171.00

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal ESU applicants is June 29, 2026.

The review of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Applicants must be current UMass Dartmouth employees. External applicants will not be considered.

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