The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is an integral part of the Office of Financial Aid within the Enrollment Division at Rice University, a highly selective research institution located in the Heart of Houston, Texas. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for the administration of all sources of student financial aid in a manner strategically driven to meet the enrollment goals of Rice University. The office is also responsible for ensuring that students and families are informed about the financial assistance available to them, including information on all federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs.

The assistant director will be responsible for projects or initiatives that have a defined scope, moderate levels of complexity and external visibility, and require autonomous (independent) execution. As part of a team, the Assistant Director will administer the University's financial aid programs and policies for undergraduate and/or graduate students. The assistant director is also responsible for communicating these policies to students' families, Rice colleagues, high school educators, and the general public. The ability to counsel and communicate complex financial information to students and their families is essential.

The assistant director will be building skills to learn the work of the enrollment division at a highly selective institution. Familiarity with institutional methodology, and 100% verification, as well as knowledge of Rice University and/or experience in a higher education environment, is desired.

Depending on location, the possibility of a remote or hybrid work environment may be considered.

Essential Functions

• Assists with analysis of applications and completing need analysis for a high volume of financial aid applications
• Reviews detailed financial documents, including tax returns, for accuracy of reported financial information
• Helps determine student awards based on computed financial need and other factors, adjust budget and package based on special circumstances
• Reviews a wide variety of reports to identify changes or conflicting data in financial systems
• Supports the aid processing for effective allocation of federal, state, and institutional resources in financial aid packages by verifying, completing needs analysis, and packaging undergraduate and graduate students
• Provides information pertaining to financial aid application procedures and opportunities to prospective / admitted/ deposited students, as well as one-on-one counseling of students regarding financial aid procedures and opportunities
• Aids students to facilitate solutions and resolve complex issues regarding their financial aid package, verification, satisfactory progress, or other financial aid concerns
• Creates and presents financial aid presentations, both on and off-campus
• Performs all other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3 years of experience
• Type of experience: successful experience in higher education financial aid and a successful track record of working with diverse student populations in a positive manner.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, and staff
• Expertise in counseling and working with students individually, ability to provide excellent customer service in difficult situations
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage time and workflow, and manage multiple, concurrent high-priority projects in a time-pressured environment
• Demonstrated analytical and quantitative skills, good judgment

Three to five years of significantly progressive and successful experience in a higher education financial aid office. Rice financial aid experience.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies