Assistant Director, Professional Programs

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION:

Develop financial aid packages for prospective and current students and exercise discretion in the review of confidential information. Train new counselors on packaging procedures. Assists with the processing of SAP Appeals. Provide directions, as needed, to the Systems Management Team and Student Finance regarding correct tuition set-ups. Manage the financial aid process for all online and on-campus Professional Programs and provide reporting strategies to keep up with the fluid nature of the program. Develop communication and presentation strategies for financial wellness group debt management sessions. Oversee the annual loan debt project and generate loan debt reports, by academic program, for data analysis. Provide thorough and nuanced counseling to students, alumni and counselors. Assist the Senior Associate Director of Graduate and Professional Programs, Executive Director of Financial Aid, Deputy Director of Financial Aid, and Office of Financial Aid Management Team as needed.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The position reports to the Associate Director of Operations and Customer Service for Graduate and Professional Programs and has internal and external contact with students, faculty, staff, student advocates, and representatives of government agencies, community organizations, legislative representatives, scholarship organizations, foundations, and the public. This is an on-campus position.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Analyze FAFSA (federal) data for graduate students to determine federal aid eligibility under federal methodology, by assisting the Associate Director of Operations and Customer Service and the Associate Director of Graduate and Professional Programs in implementing and interpreting federal regulations and academic programs' terms of enrollment. Exercise discretion in determining when it may be appropriate to invoke authority to use professional, independent judgment to deviate from federal methodology, on a case-by-case basis, and when needed, to advise academic programs if institutional funding, in conjunction with federal aid, results is an over-award, or if the institutional funding type is inappropriate for the enrollment status. Use judgment when to implement and release federal funding holds. Monitor enrollment during drop/add; adjust aid budgets and financial aid, accordingly, to avoid over-awards. Failure to award federal funds correctly could lead to the loss of institutional participation in the Federal Financial Aid Programs or fines from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Manage the financial aid process for graduate programs; keep pace with program growth and student progression between the full-time and part-time status; provide critical information about student issues and systems/IT problems with the Financial Aid Management team and senior leadership.
• Develop/enhance annual/quarterly federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reports for federally mandated SAP reviews, working with the University Office of the Registrar, The Professional Schools/Colleges and academic program Directors/Chairs/Deans or Associate D