Financial Aid Counselor

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals be recognized for the work you do, and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. If this sounds like you, you have come to the right place. Learn more: https://www.csun.edu/about-csun.

About Financial Aid and Scholarships:

For information about the CSUN Financial Aid and Scholarships Department, visit our website at: https://www.csun.edu/financialaid  

Major Duties

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Student Relations and Financial Literacy, the Financial Aid Counselor will serve as a member of the counseling unit of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department. The incumbent is responsible for independent student advisement and finalization of approximately $300 million annual awards of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

• Provides quality customer service to prospective, and continuing students regarding Financial Aid eligibility; interacts in a professional manner with students and parents in challenging situations to help them resolve financial issues relating to Financial Aid eligibility and monetary awards.
• Analyzes federal Financial Aid applications to determine a student's financial need; prepares and awards Financial Aid packages, and performs all duties related to the Financial Aid process.
• Ensures compliance with federal regulations, state law, CSU Executive Orders, and institutional policies, communicates with campus offices and departments, and participates in campus and community outreach activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*NOTE: To view the full position description copy and paste this link into your browser:  https://mycsun.box.com/s/c4ecg5jxev56w2m7knexcff2c291rwju

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a job-related field. 
• Equivalent to 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 professional experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures, and activities of the program to which assigned; working knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management; working knowledge of research and interview techniques; and working knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• In-depth knowledge of regulations in interpreting and administering Federal Title IV, state, and university Financial Aid programs to ensure compliance required
• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Ability and specialized skills to: interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
• Advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural, multi-sexed, 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.
• Ability to 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 programs or service areas Services Office.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• The university offers an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, retirement & savings, tuition waiver, and more.
• Classification: Student Services Professional II / 3082  / Grade: 1
• The anticipated HIRING RATE: $4610 per month, dependent upon qualifications and experience. The salary range for this classification is: $4610 - $6556 per month.
• HOURS: Full Time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday; may include evenings and weekends.  
• REG: This is a Regular position with a one-year probationary period. 
• The position is currently hybrid (2 days in office, 3 days remote); however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• Applications received through December 13, 2023 will be considered in the initial review and the review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be 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.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, covered military and veteran status, and disability. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Recruitment Services at 818-677-2101.