About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
As a member of Financial Aid Services staff, reporting to the Assistant Director/Athletic Aid Coordinator, this position performs administrative functions related to the processing of financial aid and athletic scholarships, graduate fellowship awards and other departmental scholarships. Additionally, the person in this role will process awards for winter financial aid and monitor cost of attendance changes. This position performs various duties requiring a high degree of decision making based on standard procedures and knowledge of federal, state and institutional regulations, as well as NCAA rules for student-athletic financial aid.
Essential Functions
- Assists with day-to-day oversight of NCAA Division I Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid), Atlantic 10, Colonial Athletic Association, Hockey East, state, federal and university rules and regulations. Maintain compliance for distribution of aid to student-athletes.
- Monitors student athlete Cost of Attendance accuracy with the student billing system and financial aid modules.
- Collects and reviews Outside Scholarship donor documentation. Collaborate with Athletics Compliance Office to determine student eligibility.
- Assists with financial aid processing for graduate non-working fellowships and departmental scholarship processing.
- Reconciles Academic Works software for Financial Aid scholarship awards.
- Assists in processing of Winter Financial Aid awards and eligibility evaluation.
- Monitors Cost of Attendance changes for populations including residency changes and housing status.
- Assists with the distribution of outgoing mail from the office and returned mail.
- Provides financial aid information to students, parents, and others, in person, over the phone, through electronic communications, and through outreach activities.
- Works with production management team to test system upgrades, enhancements and annual student packaging and budgeting systems for accuracy.
- Recommends and develops procedural guidelines and protocol, with approval of supervisor, to meet both the administration and customer needs.
- Contributes to creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as directed to meet Awarding Unit, Financial Aid Services/Enrollment Management, and University goals and objectives.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- High School diploma or equivalent required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of programs, including email, Excel, and Word required.
- Excellent written and oral skills required.
- Ability to make decisions in accordance with Federal, state and University regulations.
- Attention to detail and ability to work accurately with complex numeric formulas, names, numbers, and codes.
- Ability to work autonomously using professional judgment to make decisions.
- Ability to deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive information.
- Ability to multi-task and effectively respond to customer service staff inquires.
- Ability to work with diverse student body and staff.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Expertise with an integrated student administrative software system (PeopleSoft preferred).
- Knowledge of state and federal financial aid regulations, and awarding guidelines.
- Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics, Compliance Assistance software and NCAA rules and regulations.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- M-F, 8:30am-5pm
- 37.5 hours per week.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the University Staff Association, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University Staff Association collective bargaining agreement, therefore.
Salary Information
Grade 13
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit with your application a resume, cover letter, and three professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.