Office Assistant at Princeton University – Princeton, New Jersey

Department Undergraduate Financial Aid
Category Administrative Support
Job Type Full-Time

Overview

The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid (UFA) at Princeton University is a unit within the Office of the Dean of the College (ODOC). The undergraduate financial aid program supports and advances Princeton’s commitment to ensuring that students from all economic backgrounds can afford to attend. The office awards aid to over 4,000 students annually with a scholarship budget of over 325M in FY26. The Office Assistant position provides customer service support for current and prospective applicants, assists with file preparation for the application review process, and provides processing support to the counseling and compliance teams.

Responsibilities

• As the first point of contact in the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid (UFA) the office assistant serves as the primary public face of the office. Responsibilities in this role include responding to and directing walk-in traffic, answering phones, monitoring and responding to office email inquiries for both prospective and current students, making student/parent/prospective appointments as needed, troubleshooting and responding to inquiries and communicating technical or other issues impacting students and families while navigating the financial aid process.
• This position manages requests to create financial aid histories for students and alumni applying to graduate programs, compiles information needed for employment verification requests, and also assists with student employment customer service functions including backup support for student employment I-9 process.
• Reviews confidential student and financial information to prep over 5000 files for counselor review. This process includes determining completion of the financial aid application by reviewing tax documents to determine missing information and reaching out to students for additional information as needed. In addition, review of financial aid documents submitted as needed as part of federal aid verification. Assists as a secondary for file assignments for need analysis and other supplemental review, sibling enrollment and outside scholarship processing
• Assists senior counseling staff with projects as needed including support for scholarship assignments, file notations, address changes, study abroad letters and others as assigned. This position assists the compliance team in troubleshooting issues with mismatches in FAFSA applications, collecting reviewing and certifying verification documents submitted by students for accuracy.
• Coordinates the Director and Deputy Director's schedules as needed and prepares meeting materials, presentations and follow-up documents to assist in accomplishing the unit’s objectives. Communicates, handles correspondence, and reply as appropriate to phone, paper, or electronic inquiries on behalf of the Director and Deputy Director. This position performs other tasks as assigned including assisting the Director and Deputy Director with special projects, such as preparing materials to the specifications of external departments (i.e) the Office of Audit and Compliance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Five or more years of experience in a similar role
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral
• Highly organized with efficient, consistent, and accurate work habits
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Knowledge of Google Drive, Docs, Forms, and Sheets
• Higher education experience preferred

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours
36.25

Eligible for Overtime
Yes

Benefits Eligible
Yes

Probationary Period
90 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
No

Physical Capacity Exam Required
No

Valid Drivers License Required
No

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Salary Range
$55,000 to $61,000