Job Summary
The Financial Aid Counselor/Program Coordinator performs a variety of processing and specialized financial aid functions to facilitate administration of financial aid programs and delivery of funds to students in support of access and student success. This role involves determining eligibility, awarding aid, facilitating problem-solving with students and parents, and exercising professional judgment regarding student aid eligibility. The counselor provides leadership and program oversight in an assigned specialty area, adjudicates appeals, and trains other staff. Additionally, the role delivers equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive services that enhance campus life, using a student-centered and equity-minded approach across all communication—whether in-person, by phone, or in writing.
Key Responsibilities
- Counseling and Outreach: Promote an environment of collaboration and service excellence by providing a broad range of student and family-facing financial aid services, including counseling and outreach activities.
- Processing, Evaluation, Program Oversight: Provide leadership; program management; and serve as liaison for a programmatic area of specialization. Facilitate access and student success through a multitude of processing activities; providing decision-making support in complex situations; evaluating special circumstances; and exercising professional judgment.
- Knowledge and Continual Learning: Remain current with constantly evolving financial aid regulations (federal, state, institutional) and emerging trends and best practices in delivering service excellence. Contribute to the overall success of the Financial Aid Office and Enrollment Services through ad-hoc assignments.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
The successful Financial Aid Counselor/Program Coordinator will possess in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, policies, regulations, needs-analysis methodologies, practices, and resources, along with proficiency in online student information systems. They must demonstrate the ability to interpret, analyze, and apply financial aid and academic policies and procedures while effectively tracking regulatory changes, institutional costs, and award impacts. Excellent customer service skills are essential, including treating students, faculty, and staff with dignity, respect, empathy, and professionalism; conducting presentations; maintaining confidentiality; and clearly communicating technical or difficult information in high-pressure situations. The role also demands strong time management and organizational abilities to juggle multiple short-deadline tasks, maintain data and documentation integrity, and support dynamic teamwork.
Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student, and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."
Education and Experience
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration, or a job-related field and two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas required.
Physical Summary
- Sedentary work - Involves mainly sitting. Walking and standing are minimal. Lifting is limited to lightweight objects. (10 pounds or less).
Department
Enrollment Services - Financial Aid
Classification
Student Services Professional II (3082, 1)
Compensation
Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.
Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $5,083 - $5,250 per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.
CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $5,083 - $7,228 per month.
Benefits
Excellent benefits through CalPERS (health, vision, dental), tuition fee waiver, generous vacation and sick leave, and 14 paid holidays each year.
Time Base
1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.
Duration of Appointment
This is a temporary position for one year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.
Application Procedures
Click Apply Now to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.
PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY. It is important that all sections of the on-line application are filled out completely and accurately. Please include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Additional Information
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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.
CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.
Equal Employment Statement
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Accommodations
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu.
Out of State Employment Policy
California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.
As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.