Financial Aid Coordinator

Description 

Minerva University is a non-profit, U.S.-accredited institution of higher education that prepares students to become innovators and global leaders in various disciplines. In June 2024, Minerva was ranked #1 most innovative university in the world for the third year in a row by World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI), an organization whose partners include the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. We have reinvented higher education at every level, from how we equalize access to talented students from around the world, how we leverage the possibilities of global immersion, and how we teach. We are well known for our undergraduate program where students live together in residence halls, traveling to different cities around the world over their four years of study. We teach using a web-based platform that supports real-time, synchronous seminars (ranging from 15-19 students) with high levels of student-faculty interaction. All Minerva classes are seminars, not lecture courses, and use active learning to help students learn to think critically and creatively as well as to communicate and interact effectively with others. The majority of our students are undergraduates pursuing four-year degrees. Minerva offers a Master of Science in Decision Analysis, as well as other programming for professional learners, which we are actively looking to scale over the upcoming few years.

The Role

The Financial Aid Coordinator will work closely with prospective and admitted students to effectively communicate Minerva University’s financial aid processes, process incoming student financial aid applications, and offer financial aid counseling to incoming students and their families. Minerva University offers need-based financial aid to admitted students, regardless of citizenship. The university does not work with federal financial aid funds authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. 

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as primary contact for incoming students, families, and counselors in regards to financial aid
• Designs and hosts informational workshops and presentations on Minerva University’s financial aid offerings
• Coordinates and informs the communication of financial aid processes and deadlines via email campaigns, individual communications, and the website
• Conducts individual consultation and counseling sessions with incoming students
• Reviews and processes all new student financial aid applications
• Makes recommendations for a students’ eligibility for financial aid including work study opportunities, loans, and/or scholarship
• Analyzes and evaluates financial responsibilities of students and their families
• Finalizes and awards financial aid packages
• Maintains and records student financial documents 
• Recommends improvements to current system and processes
• Assists in maintaining Minerva’s financial aid data for timely and accurate submission of required federal, state and local reports
• Works with the University’s academic teams and administration to plan, develop, and test financial tools to improve scenario planning and analysis

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• 2-3 years of experience in a customer service role or similar required; experience in US university admissions or financial aid and with a majority international population preferred
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Demonstrated ability to connect authentically and professionally with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds at varying levels - high school students, parents, organization leads, government officials 
• Strong sense of personal accountability and follow through
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a globally distributed team and customer base
• Demonstrated experience presenting complex information both in large and small group settings
• Experience with financial systems, data query, and data visualization tools preferred
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to make data-driven decisions required
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, including Pivot tables and VLOOKUPS required
• Demonstrated experience moving work forward in a remote environment and with a high degree of independence
• Passionate about improving higher education and excited about reimagining the university experience
• Availability to work extended hours and some weekends as needed

This is a remote role that reports to the Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment, and works in close collaboration with the Finance and Operations team. 

Minerva University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law.

Compensation

$55,000 - $65,000

The position is exempt and comes with benefits if 75% FTE or above.

To Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit a CV and cover letter.