Senior Assistant Director for Study Abroad

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid works to ensure that qualified students have the opportunity to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill regardless of their ability to pay. The office serves students at all levels, including graduate and professional school students and coordinates all student financial support for the campus. The office assists in the recruitment, retention and success of students while maximizing available funds, exercising good stewardship of those funds, and performing related research, analysis and program evaluation in support of long-range enrollment and campus goals. In addition, the office provides academic and co-circular support services for scholarships, provides financial literacy and educational tools, and partners with faculty and other student success areas across campus to provide excellent service to low- and middle-income students and other scholarship recipients. The work of the office is public in nature and closely scrutinized by students and their families, lawmakers, faculty and staff at the University, and by the media (local, regional, and national).

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) seeks a collaborative, student-centered, and detail-oriented individual for the position of Senior Assistant Director. This is a full-time, permanent EHRA Non-Faculty position that will report to the appropriate leadership within the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. This role will support both the financial aid needs of students participating in study abroad programs and a caseload of students on-campus. This position requires a high level of collaboration between OSSA, Study Abroad, and other campus partners. 

This position’s responsibilities include: providing financial aid counseling to current and prospective students participating in study abroad, as well as a standard caseload of students via phone, via email, and via virtual platforms; providing assistance regarding the application and aid disbursement process; reviewing financial aid application data, FAFSA data, and other applications for financial assistance; applying federal and state administrative rules and regulations, and institutional guidelines to determine eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships; committing funds on behalf of the University by making financial aid award decisions; acting as a liaison to the Study Abroad Office, and acting as a liaison to other University offices including the Cashier’s Office and the Registrar’s office. 

The person in this position will also collaborate with partners in OSSA, Enrollment, and Study Abroad to ensure financial aid and scholarship policies are in line with the mission and goals of the Division of Enrollment as well as federal regulations. The individual will support the stewardship of Study Abroad scholarships, including working with Study Abroad and other University departments that provide funding for global opportunities. The position will also contribute to the overall financial aid and communications strategy for aid recipients studying abroad through collaborations with the Senior Associate Director for Communications and Student Success and other Processing and Student Success colleagues within the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities associated with the delivery and/or management of student support functions, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and at least 1 year of relevant experience in substitution.

Three to five years of experience with federal and state regulations and loan programs and experience counseling students is required. Demonstrated ability to perform work with accuracy and attention to detail; strong customer service and collaborative work skills; outstanding written and verbal communication; exceptional organizational and time-management skills, and a strong work ethic.

Experience working with financial aid systems is strongly preferred.