Financial Aid & Enrollment Specialist
Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Hartford, CT
Full-time, in-person at Hartford location
Posted: 9/2026
Category: Student Affairs/Student Services
Introduction:
Are you interested in using your skills to make a meaningful difference in the world? Join
Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU), a historic, fully accredited university founded in 1834. Our beautiful and
distinctive campus is located in Hartford's historic West End.
HIU is dedicated to deepening faith, encouraging respect across
differences, and advancing peace through research, religious studies, and interreligious dialogue. Our students graduate and become builders
of stronger international communities, chaplains, scholars and ethical leaders in government, education, and congregations.
At HIU,
you'll join a supportive team of changemakers committed to creating a more peaceful and just world. We value diversity in all its forms and
foster a culture of hospitality, inclusion, and belonging.
Most importantly, HIU offers a mission-driven culture where people are
welcoming, supportive, and love what they do.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive medical plan options, including a
health
savings account, along with dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage - Generous paid time off for vacation,
sick, and
personal days - Numerous paid holidays throughout the year
- Paid winter break from December 24 through January
1 - Paid
summer break during the week of July 4, in addition to PTO and holidays - Retirement contributions of up to 10% of base
salary to a
403(b) plan, including a 2% employee and employer match after one year of employment - Wellness-related
events - Annual Years of
Service Luncheon for staff - One paid Community Work Day each year to volunteer in the
community - Paid time off on Election Day
to vote - Education fee waiver to audit or enroll in one HIU course per
semester - Optional remote work one day per week on
Fridays - A welcoming, collaborative workplace where your contributions
support HIU's mission of peace, justice, and
understanding
With financial aid
as the primary focus, the Enrollment
Specialist serves as a cross-functional support for the Enrollment Management team, supporting
admissions, recruitment, and registrar
functions. The Enrollment Specialist should have an understanding of HIU's enrollment and budget
model and assist us in awarding financial
aid in a way that balances meeting student needs with meeting our net tuition revenue, discount
rates, and enrollment goals. The Enrollment
Specialist helps bridge institutional silos and embodies the school's mission in student
interactions. Responsible for all aspects of
student aid and scholarships, including institutional aid and the Federal Student Aid Program
(Title IV) for a small student body. With
support from the Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Management and the Chief Business Officer,
helps to develop larger student
enrollment strategies as part of student aid and institutional policies.
This role is essential to
creating a seamless,
student-centered enrollment experience, ensuring that prospective and current students are supported holistically-from
inquiry through
registration and persistence. The position may also support international student processes, including SEVIS compliance, as
needed.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Award Processing
- Responsible for eligibility and need
analysis and
the awarding of student financial aid, including the awarding, verification, and loan default management follow-up for all
Title IV
recipients. Manages all aspects of the Federal Direct Loan and Federal Work Study Programs (FWS) including, but not limited to,
loan
origination, reconciliation, compliance and disbursement preparation.
- Responsible for the awarding and packaging of
institutional
aid.
- Prepares the Student Status Confirmation Report (SSCR), FISAP, and other
essential
reports as necessary. - Responsible for certification, reporting, and coordinating benefits for all VA eligible
students. - Coordinates Title IV packaging with institutional aid and/or Veterans benefits when necessary.
- Updates, when
necessary, the institution's ECAR, PPA, and all federal records pertaining to financial aid and FWS policies. Keeps policies and procedures
manual, school catalogue and Student Handbook updated. Builds and maintains annual cost of attendance budgets. Coordinates with proper
departments for annual compliance audit and annual VA compliance audit. - Works with the Business Office on all reconciliation
reports, when necessary. - Ensures current compliance for federal consumer information for annual catalogue and
website. - Coordinates and informs necessary departments of all federal updates and compliance adherence on institutional
policies.
- Counsels and communicates with prospective and current students to assist them
with
their financial aid questions and applications including, advising students about their options, about impact of government
regulations,
etc. and budget/financial planning. - Collaborates to develop and implement a process for awarding international aid based
on
documented need. - Assists students in identifying/applying for external sources of aid.
- Works with Admissions Office to
communicate with prospective and incoming students on financial aid opportunities. - Collaborates with University leadership to
develop financial aid best practices and strategies. - Manages the Cohort Default Rate by communicating with delinquent students,
through phone, email, and certified mail about loan repayment. - Collaborates to develop and implement strategic financial aid
approaches to maximize student yield.
- Cross-trains across
admissions,
recruitment, and registrar functions to ensure continuity of operations. - Provides backup support across enrollment
offices during
peak periods or staff changes. - Participates in process improvement initiatives to enhance student experience and
operational
efficiency. - Contributes to a collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
Specific cross-training and
responsibilities may include:
Admissions & Recruitment
- Provides information about programs, admissions requirements,
and application processes, support application processing, document collection, and applicant file completion for prospects and
applicants. - Supports recruitment efforts including virtual and in-person events, at conferences, partner organizations, and
community
events. Intermittent travel is required.
- Assists with orientation, course
registration,
enrollment verification, and student record maintenance. - Supports transcript processing, degree audits, and
graduation clearance
activities, and maintains accurate data in student information systems and CRM platforms.
Operations
- Strategizes to address enrollment barriers and coordinate with financial aid, business office, and academic departments.
International Student Support (as applicable)
- Assists with international applicant processing and
documentation. - Supports SEVIS-related tasks, including I-20 preparation and record maintenance.
- Collaborates with Primary
Designated School
Official (PDSO) or serve as a DSO (if qualified)
As is expected of all
employees, provide backup
support for the University's major events/general activities, both during and outside, normal work hours, as
needed.
Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree (required) or master's degree (desired).
- 3-5 years'
experience in higher education administration and financial aid. - Experience with web-based student database management software;
knowledge of Populi is preferred. - Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in
writing; keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines; must have excellent planning and
organizational skills. - Maintain student, faculty, and staff confidentiality for sensitive information.
- Must be able to
relate to a wide range of individuals across diverse backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary range - $70,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training.
To
apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to humanresources@hartfordinternational.edu. Typically, only candidates who are
selected for interviews will be contacted.

