Financial Aid & Enrollment Specialist

Full-time, in-person at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace
Posted: 8/2026
Category: Student Affairs/Student Services

Introduction:
Interested in using your skills to make a real difference in the world? Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU), founded in 1834, has a mission like no other organization. We are a historic, fully accredited, university with an ample endowment that engages in research, religious studies, and interreligious dialogue to deepen beliefs, respect differences, and help bring peace to our communities and the world. Our students become spiritual care-givers, ethical voices within governmental and educational spaces, and international community builders.
Consider joining a supportive team of changemakers who are committed to a more peaceful and just world. HIU values diversity of all kinds and is committed to fostering an educational environment that promotes a culture of hospitality and inclusivity. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, Connecticut, our beautiful and unique campus recently expanded to support strategic initiatives.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive package of medical plan options including a health savings account, dental, vision, disability coverage, and life insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) for vacation, sick, and personal days, as well as numerous paid holidays each year.
• Paid Winter break (December 24-January 1) and Summer break (the week of July 4) each year, on top of PTO and holidays.
• Retirement plan that contributes up to 10% of base salary into a 403b plan, including 2% employee and employer match (after one year of employment).
• Yearly reimbursement for goods and services to promote overall wellness and a healthy work culture.
• Annual Years of Service Luncheon for staff.
• Paid Community Work Day each year to volunteer in the community.
• Paid time off on Election Day in order to vote.
• Education fee waiver to audit or enroll in courses at HIU (one per semester).
• One day a week available to work from home, if desired (Fridays).
• Mission-driven culture where people are welcoming, supportive, and love what they do.

Job Summary and Qualifications:

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 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 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 including, but not limited to, loan origination, reconciliation, compliance and disbursement preparation.
• Responsible for the awarding and packaging of institutional aid.

Compliance Reporting 

• 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.

Financial Aid Advising

• Counsels and communicates with prospective and current students to assist them with their financial aid questions and applications.
• 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.

Cross-Training & Institutional Collaboration

• 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.

Registrar & Student Onboarding

• Assists with orientation, course registration, enrollment verification, and student record maintenance.
• Supports transcript processing, degree audits, and graduation clearance activities, and maintain accurate data in student information systems and CRM platforms.

Enrollment 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) 

Other Duties as assigned 
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.

Hartford International University for Religion and Peace is an 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.