Assistant Director - Law (Financial Aid)

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Associate Director for Office Service & Scholarships, the Assistant Director - Law provides program management and administrative coordination for all financial aid services at the School of Law. This position oversees the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs, ensuring compliance with regulations and University policies. The Assistant Director serves as the primary resource for students, faculty, and staff on financial aid matters, offering expert guidance and exceptional customer service. Key responsibilities include analyzing financial need, determining financial aid offers, monitoring budgets, and maintaining accurate records. The role also leads operational workflows, develops strategies to improve service delivery, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders. Additional duties include counseling students on financial literacy, preparing consumer information and promotional materials, and supporting initiatives that enhance student success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Plans and implements financial aid services and activities for the School of Law; interprets and ensures compliance with State statutes, university policy, and federal regulations; works with other offices, including Admissions, Bursar/Business Office, and Registrar, to ensure accurate and timely exchange of information and awards between school information systems.
2. Serves as an authoritative resource to the school and external offices and staff; provides excellent customer service to students, parents, and the public on matters related to program policies, procedures, and activities. Responds to questions and investigates problems e.g., aid/loan disbursements or eligibility. Requests documentation and additional information as needed.
3. Oversees the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and appeals process related to SAP.
4. Reviews financial aid and scholarship applications; analyzes financial need and determines financial aid offer based on standardized procedures, annual allocations, fluctuating applicant pool, and current regulations, including deposit fee deferrals and exceptions.
5. Revises student aid offers according to individual “need”, eligibility, cost of attendance, and available funds; resolves discrepancies pertaining to over-awards, residency or enrollment changes, loan eligibility issues, or other special circumstances.
6. Creates student cost of attendance budgets based on Federal Regulations and the University's best practices.
7. Oversees financial aid data for the school, including updating and verifying student information and assuring the accuracy of data and records. Documents and communicates business needs related to information systems and processes; participates in testing.
8. Performs office management duties for the Program; directs the workflow; coordinates and monitors the processing of necessary paperwork and maintenance of records and filing system to ensure the effective delivery of services for the School of Law, students. Improves work methods and systems to foster a streamlined approach to solving student issues and improve the level of services that are provided.
9. Determines average student award amounts for packaging and determines work-study award allocations for eligible students; monitors expenditures and prepares reports as necessary.
10. Counsel students and families regarding the availability of aid, application procedures, University policies regarding recipients, Federal and State regulations, the process of needs analysis, and necessary documentation.
11. Investigates and resolves complex problems independently or collaborates with Storrs-based support teams, including issues related to citizenship status, visa issues, veteran/military status, system queries, special requests, etc.
12. Makes budget recommendations and monitors approved budget and expenditures.
13. Provides access to individual counseling and group orientation to students with regard to financial literacy and the development of overall strategies for budgeting during the academic year and other related matters.
14. Participates in the planning of policies and procedures and implementation strategies for the student information system.
15. Prepares consumer information and promotional materials, forms, and public relations presentations in collaboration with Storrs and adherence to UConn branding standards; delivers training and presentations for financial services as needed.
16. Engage in public relations and promotional activities for the Financial Aid Office; implement recruiting and promotional strategies within the area of responsibility; participate in securing funding for the Program.
17. Coordinates and monitors the day-to-day administration