About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: At MCLA, we're here for all, and focused on each of our students.
Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 132-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu Job Description: GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Assistant Director exercises substantial independent judgment while operating under the strategic direction of the Executive Director. The Assistant Director manages all institutional loan programs (federal, private, and state) and serves as an administrative officer within the SFS office. The Assistant Director oversees Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), assists with appeals and Special Circumstance professional judgment evaluations, provides oversight of institutional scholarship programs, and conducts financial aid file reviews upon request by the Executive Director. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Executive Director of Student Financial Services SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Student Financial Services Clerks and Student Work-Study Employees DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES: EDConnect & Data Systems File Exchanges: Execute daily import and export file exchanges between EDConnect and Banner. Monitor and troubleshoot routine batch transmission issues, origination flags, and record errors. Comprehensive Loan Program Management: Direct and manage the origination, certification, processing, and disbursement of all Federal Direct Student Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent/Graduate PLUS), private/alternative student loans, and state loan programs (including VSAC and out-of-state loan processing). Interface with COD, lender portals, and ELM; manage loan revisions, cancellations, transfer student default/grant overpayment checks via NSLDS, and exit counseling compliance summaries. Return of Title IV Funds: Calculate and process Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) for withdrawn students in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policies. Coordinate with Student Accounts to ensure timely return of funds and student notification. Packaging: Package and repackage student financial aid awards in accordance with federal, state, and institutional requirements. Scholarship Program Oversight: Provide supervisory oversight of the SFS Operations Clerk's administration of institutional and donor-funded scholarship programs, including award processing, eligibility review, scholarship committee coordination, annual renewals, and reconciliation of scholarship funds. Enrollment Support: Collaborate with Admissions, Enrollment Management, Student Success, and Academic Affairs to support recruitment, retention, persistence, and affordability initiatives. Professional Judgment & Special Circumstances: On an ad hoc basis, review Special Circumstance appeals, income adjustments, and dependency overrides using professional judgment in strict accordance with federal Title IV regulations and institutional standards, referring unprecedented policy cases to the Executive Director. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Administration: Monitor academic progress for all aid applicants in accordance with federal regulations and college policy. Manage the formal SAP appeal process, coordinate appeal committees, collaborate with academic affairs on academic warning/attendance data, and counsel students on aid restoration. Verification Processing & C-Code Clearance: Process standard federal/institutional verification files and clear C-code ISIR flags (e.g., citizenship, Selective Service, NSLDS flags). Collect required tax forms and household documentation to clear files for aid disbursement. Office Supervision & Operational Coordination: Assist in the direct day-to-day office workflow and supervise, evaluate, and mentor SFS staff and student work-study employees under the oversight of the Executive Director. Coordinate activity between Financial Aid and Student Accounts. Reconciliations: Under the oversight of the Executive Director, oversee program reconciliations for institutional, state, and federal aid programs. Assist the Executive Director with statistical/financial reporting, audit preparation, policy enforcement, and annual publication updates. Advanced Counseling & Events: Provide elevated financial aid and billing counseling for complex student cases, study abroad/consortium agreements, and special populations. Present at Admissions open houses, financial aid nights, and orientation events. Requirements: QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required and Master's degree preferred. 5+ years of progressive experience in higher education financial aid administration, with specific experience in federal Direct Loan management and professional staff supervision. Experience administering scholarships. Experience with SAP and Professional Judgment. Experience in public higher education preferred. Technical Expertise: Proficiency with Student Information Systems (Ellucian Banner preferred), Department of Education portals (COD, NSLDS), scholarship management software (AwardSpring), and Microsoft Office Suite. Core Competencies: In-depth understanding of Title IV regulations and professional judgment guidelines; regulatory interpretation; strong analytical and quantitative skills; project management; data analysis; conflict resolution; exceptional interpersonal communication; presentation and public speaking. Additional Information: This is a full time, permanent, benefited position within the APA bargaining union. Salary for this position is $100,000-$110,000 per year. Employee Benefits: Health Insurance: MCLA offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately. Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution. Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities. Paid Time off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits. Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. Lucas Morrill Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 Telephone: (413) 662-5103 Titleix@mcla.edu U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights 33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424 Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172 OCR.Boston@ed.gov Application Instructions: Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, online application and 3 professional references. Candidates should electronically submit an application materials by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.
