Financial Aid Specialist – Financial Aid

Classification Title: Student Services Professional II

Classification Salary Range: $4,610 - $6,556 per month

The final salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

About the Department/Position:

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Specialist will act as a liaison to the Toro Welcome and Information Center to provide financial aid services to students, customers, and other constituents. The incumbent advises and counsels customers regarding all types of aid programs, application processing, eligibility requirements and other activities associated with navigating the financial aid process. Additional responsibilities include financial aid processing, awarding, and revising aid packages, exercising professional judgment, as well as supporting outreach activities. The specialist provides support for basic admissions and records questions that arise during student interaction on the financial aid process and collaborates with other EM One Stop team members to support Service Excellence. Incumbent has a dotted line reporting to the Executive Director, Admissions and Recruitment as it relates to customer service for non-financial aid Enrollment Management areas.

May work occasional evenings or Saturdays.

Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advising & Counseling and Outreach: Facilitate student success by providing a broad range of student and family-facing financial aid services.
• Counsel and assist prospective, continuing, and re-entering students on all aspects of financial aid, including the availability of various financial aid programs; Satisfactory Academic Progress standards; application processes – including establishing, maintaining, and regaining aid eligibility.
• Review files and forms for completeness and accuracy; evaluate students according to established regulations, policies, and procedures to determine financial need and program eligibility for a variety of Federal, State, and Institutional programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration, or a job-related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.
• Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas required; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to carry out moderately complex assignments without detailed instructions and apply effective problem-solving skills demonstrating sound judgment.
• Advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required
• Use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Knowledge and understanding of current financial aid need analysis methodology and federal and state financial aid program guidelines.
• Reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations
• Recognize multicultural, multisexed and multi‑aged value systems and work accordingly.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts; and rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions, and programs of the campus to which assigned.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.
• Knowledge of financial aid regulations, practices, and resources.
• Knowledge of online student information systems.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and apply financial aid & academic policies and procedures.
• Exhibited strong background in customer service and student centric solutions.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct presentations to groups of varying sizes.
• Ability to handle information in a confidential and professional manner.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team and to multi-task in a fast-paced, diverse environment with students, faculty, and staff.
• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Work effectively with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

General Information:

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position is considered a `mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California
• The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption if eligible. Any candidate advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. Questions about the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy may be sent to hrm@csudh.edu.
• The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. You can access a full description of our benefits here.

Closing Statement

California State University, Dominguez Hills, is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources Office at (310) 243-3771.

California State University Dominguez Hills is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.