Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Job Summary

Financial Aid Counselors provide students with the information they need to navigate the financial aid process, present FA information at workshops on and off campus, review financial aid appeals, and using various reports, assess student aid eligibility changes and make revisions to financial aid awards accordingly.

Department Summary

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office consists of a team of dedicated professionals who work together to provide students with the information they need to navigate the financial aid application process as well as complete all of the necessary reviews and adjustments to aid packages to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional policies and laws.

Key Qualifications

• Counsel students and families regarding all aspects of the financial aid process including eligibility criteria, the application cycle, deadlines, and how financial aid is applied to university charges
• Facilitate student success by counseling students on related financial literacy topics such as personal budget management, loan repayment, and other guidance which may affect student academic performance and continued eligibility for assistance.
• Through an extensive list of weekly, monthly and quarterly reports, complete timely review of student records to confirm financial aid eligibility and revise financial aid awards, ensuring that all aid (loans, grants, scholarships and work-study) is properly awarded within federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Serve as a liaison and subject area expert for one or more specialized financial aid programs.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field.
• A master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.
• Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $55,320 - $60,420 annually

Classification Range: $55,320 - $76,380 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.