Assistant Director of Financial Aid

PCN: 258

Position Overview:

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is critical to providing support, advice, and customer service to our families, students, and colleagues. This position will be responsible for the day to day counseling and guidance offered to a specific caseload of students and families.

Primary Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise prospective and current full and part-time students/families on the availability of financial aid.

• Manage a caseload of students, including adjustments of financial aid based on eligibility.

• Manage a program(s) or area of additional responsibility.

• Review, award, and revise federal and institutional financial aid in compliance with respective policies and procedures subject to federal, state, and institutional audit.

• Perform verification procedures; request and interpret supporting documentation (ie, tax returns, tax transcripts, government agency information); analyze accuracy of data provided.

• Review/evaluate general, Professional Judgment, and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals, make corrections when necessary, and determine eligibility for institution, state, and federal aid.

• Access federal systems such as FSA Partners, FSA Partner Portal for FAFSA corrections, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) and analyze federal financial aid history using the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

• Work closely with other departments, such as Admissions, Registrar, Billing, Academic Success Center, etc. to streamline processes and improve the student experience.

• Conduct financial aid sessions and trainings as needed, represent student financial services at Open Houses, Welcome Days and other on-campus related events.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A strong commitment to customer service.

• Bachelor’s degree required with two years or more of financial aid experience in a higher education setting.

• Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV, Massachusetts state, and institutional regulations and procedures to ensure compliance.

• Experience with federal financial aid data systems including NSLDS, FSA Partners, and COD.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Experience with financial aid software systems, PowerFAIDS preferred.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational and problem- solving skills.

• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed at various times throughout the year.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume or CV

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

Work Location

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.  

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.