Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Office

Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Office

Department Summary: Bridgewater State University is an inclusive community dedicated to the lifelong success of all students, focused on the continuous improvement of its people, and responsible for leading innovation that benefits Southeastern Massachusetts, the commonwealth, and the world. Bridgewater’s accessible environment of teaching and learning stimulates critical thinking, pursuit of new knowledge, and deeper understanding, the cultivation of meaningful and diverse interpersonal relationships, and fostering an appreciation for global engagement, all aimed at transforming lives and improving the human condition.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in our institutional values
, which ensure that all students are supported and succeed.

The missions of the Financial Aid office are to assist students and families in navigating the world of Higher Education and the costs associated with obtaining a degree. Successful candidates will be staff members that can work with their colleagues to help meet the mission of the Financial Aid office in serving and supporting our racially and ethnically diverse campus community.

The Staff Assistant is a member of the Financial Aid Department residing within the Office of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Staff Assistant reports to the Director of Financial Aid and has the primary responsibility of being the first point of contact for the front support staff. The Financial Aid Advisor can provide an understanding of registration, billing, and financial aid policies and procedures, as well as the ability to explain policies and procedures to current students, prospective students, and families.

In addition, the Staff Assistant, Financial Aid Advisor will be responsible for ensuring smooth daily operations, effective administration, and clear communications. The Staff Assistant must work closely with the Director of Financial Aid to ensure compliance is always maintained.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Director of Financial Aid
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Support Staff – AFSCME Union and Financial Aid Work-study Students

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm

(Full Time, exempt APA position and is subject to the terms of that union agreement.)

Position Type: APA Professional

• Aids students and families with loans, grants, scholarships and the financial aid application process, and reviews applications to assure accurate and complete information.
• Delivers exemplary customer service to prospective and continuing students and families in planning and coordinating the funding of their education.
• Maintain a current working knowledge of the financial planning processes of financial aid, billing and payment options and VA Benefits, as well as Housing, Admissions, Academic Advising and Registrar processes and how they relate to the students’ finances to advise fully and accurately.
• Interprets, implements, and maintains up-to-date knowledge of Federal and State guidelines governing financial aid programs
• Assist with preparing Institutional, Federal and MA State Audit reporting requirements. Coordinate progress reports and monthly reporting
• Utilizing workshops, individual appointments, web tools, email, social media, and telephone to disseminate accurate and clear information while counseling, advising, and directly supporting students and their families with financial and related processes. Events may include weekends.
• Collaborate with other offices and departments to provide appropriate resources to students, represent Financial Aid at various programs on and off campus, and serve on college committees as appropriate
• Draft and edit correspondences, publication support, including proofreading policies, daily communications, website content management, submitting and promoting events, and managing financial literacy programming and events. Events may include weekends.
• Assist the Director and collaborate with other departments in developing strategies that support the goals and objectives of the department, division, and college in enrollment, retention, student satisfaction, and other related…