Assistant Director, Financial Aid

Assistant Director, Financial Aid

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Posting Details

 
I. JOB OVERVIEW 

Job Description Summary:  | Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) is the 11th oldest medical school in the country and the first in the nation’s capital. Since its establishment, the school has been at the forefront of medical education, and has grown to include highly-ranked programs in the health and biomedical sciences. With dozens of top-tier residency programs, SMHS is a competitive and esteemed destination for medical school graduates across the country. Find out more here: http://smhs.gwu.edu/

The Assistant Director, Financial Aid position provides advice, counsel, and exceptional service in processing complex financial aid requests in accordance with university and federal guidelines. The core responsibilities of this role are to work closely with management to support the team, to evaluate and analyze financial information submitted by applicants to determine eligibility for assistance and to determine the appropriate award for scholarships, and grants, to address initial escalations, and to counsel and advise applicants and parents about available financial aid opportunities and debt management.

This position will also lead some technical aspects of the financial aid programs and provide reporting to management, will collaborate with management to implement short- and long-term goals, and will process and package requests for financial aid. This position may also investigate complex financial aid/loan discrepancies and student accounts for accuracy, evaluate students’ academic performance to ensure satisfactory academic progress, and respond to inquiries and research and resolve problems. Often this role serves as an escalation point for complex issues/concerns, providing operational coaching with less senior members and often works with leadership to evaluate policies, implement changes, as well as forecasting projections.

The position works closely with the Health Sciences Student Affairs leadership as the manager of aid programs for SMHS Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant and Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med programs. The incumbent will primarily provide financial aid and debt management services to these populations, but will also serve as a secondary counselor to the medical doctorate student population.

Position Duties: Analyze and Determine Eligibility for Financial Aid Packaging. Exercises professional judgement in performing needs analysis, verification, and eligibility confirmations when approving/evaluating financial aid awards, and provides input on financial aid appeals. Manages the escalation of packaging problems and appeals Investigates discrepancies in student application and accounts for accuracy and responds to inquiries to resolve problems. Counsels and advises students, parents and staff on financial matters and escalates issues as needed to leadership. Evaluates student performance to monitor federal loan compliance with regard to student satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Counsels students and documents their understanding of SAP requirements. Manages Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant and Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program financial aid and special projects as needed. Maintains expertise in all areas of financial aid to ensure the office can plan and react positively to changing federal, state and institutional policies that affect student financial assistance. Incumbent is required to participate in state, regional and/or national associations as a contributing member. Collaborates with management on short and long term goals as well as evaluating policies, implementing changes, forecasts projections. Provides coaching to less senior staff members. Manages some technical aspects of the FAMS programs and reports to management.

Performs other work related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:  | Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:  |
Preferred Qualifications:  | The ability to verify and assess student eligibility for financial and to make evaluative judgments, to know federal/state laws and regulations, as well as institutional policies regarding financial aid for students The ability to investigate/analyze information in order to draw conclusions, and strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community, are other attributes required of the position Advanced degree preferred 2+ years in federal financial aid Preferred experience working with graduate students in person and virtually 2 years working with Ellucian financial aid products (colleague/banner financial aid) preferred Experience in team and data management is highly desirable
Hiring Range  | $51,455.52 - $84,850.51
GW Staff Approach to Pay  | How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

 
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

 II. JOB DETAILS 

Campus Location:  | Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department:  | School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)
Family  | Enrollment Services
Sub-Family  | Financial Aid
Stream  | Individual Contributor
Level  | Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time:  | Full-Time
Hours Per Week:  | 40
Work Schedule:  | Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site?  | Yes
Employee Onsite Status  | Hybrid
Telework:  | Yes
Required Background Check:  | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:  | Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only?  | No
Posting Number:  | S013984
Job Open Date:  | 12/22/2025
Job Close Date:  |
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:  |
Background Screening  | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:  | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Posting Specific Questions

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2013 H Street, NW, 3rd Floor
 Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: askhrmd@gwu.edu
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