Financial Aid Technician

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Technician performs a variety of complex and technical duties involved in providing financial assistance for students, including the verification of eligibility and the awarding of aid. The Technician also serves as a comprehensive point of contact in Financial Aid - providing accurate direction and guidance to students, their families and staff in all aspects of the financial aid process - identifying those who need to meet with a financial aid counselor or administrator to resolve more complex issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advising and general customer service to prospective, newly admitted, and current students and parents regarding various aspects of the financial aid process, including application steps, student eligibility, educational costs, types of financial aid available, and loan activities, while tailoring the information to the needs, situation, and level of background of each customer.
• Assist in determining and evaluating student financial aid eligibility by performing verification of individual student application data, reviewing and confirming general student eligibility criteria (i.e., citizenship, selective service, NSLDS, etc. database matches), and performing / calculating need analysis.
• Provide specialized processing and customer support specific to assigned financial aid program(s), assist with information dissemination and training of students and staff on various aspects of assigned program – under direction of the program lead.
• Provide processing and technical assistance to support the administration of general financial aid programs and functions, which includes monitoring and re-evaluating continued student eligibility, making and revising financial aid awards, processing reports, and other activities during various stages of the financial aid cycle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge and experience with technology, including equipment (computers, scanners, etc.) and software applications (MS Office, student systems). The ability and motivation to acquire and apply new knowledge and implement new software application. Ability to exercise sound judgment and to maintain confidentiality of student records.

The Financial Aid Technician has a key role in electronically processing a high volume of financial aid records daily, including loans, grants, and scholarships. The technician performs advanced work related to award revisions, resolving data discrepancies, and adjustments to aid packages in order to coordinate various types of aid. The technician has responsibility for analyzing and determining the accuracy and completeness of all incoming information, including - but not limited to - federal tax documents, INS documentation, Independent Certification documents, Selective Service and Veteran documentation, etc. The use of technology, analytical skills, and attention to accuracy is vital to the success of the Technician and the Financial Aid Office as errors may result in significant liability for students as well as the institution.

In-depth knowledge and understanding of current financial aid needs analysis methodology and federal and state financial aid program guidelines. Knowledge of financial aid regulations, practices, and resources. Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate financial aid and academic policies and procedures. Financial Aid Technician is responsible for communicating and processing many components of the financial aid life-cycle for a financial aid applicant. The technician must possess a strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures to accurately guide students through financial aid, scholarship, and loan processes.

Federal law is reauthorized every 5 to 6 years with regulatory changes and new legislation inserted within those spans. State aid can change annually with each session of the legislature. Institutional costs and processes may change even more often in response to improvements and limitations to technology, approval and revisions of budget priorities, and structural organizations. Every technician must participate in ongoing training to ensure they remain aware of these changes and the affects on student awards at the University. The technician must successfully utilize competent and increasingly complex computer system skills to meet their job requirements. Specific assigned programs may be complex and require specialized training or skills.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to determine customer needs and resolve issues (or refer to counselor, etc. for resolution). Demonstrated ability to conduct presentations to groups of varying sizes. Experience representing a department / organization as knowledgeable and authoritative while remaining supportive, calm and professional even under highly charged circumstances. Ability to handle information in a confidential and professional manner. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information and convey disappointing information.

The Technician contributes to a student-centered service culture and provides exceptional service and outreach to support the success of CSULB students. The Technician provides basic advising and serves as an comprehensive initial point of contact in Financial Aid. The initial preparation provided by this position reduces the number of students who must see a counselor and / or better prepares those who do for a more productive meeting.

The Financial Aid Technician must act professionally when encountering upset students whose award package, or disbursement of funds, has been delayed or denied. They must be able to deal effectively with the dejection that some students feel when confronted with limited resources to make their educational dreams come true as well as parents and students who may become adversarial in attempts to improve their treatment or expedite the processing of their application and / or forms. The Technician is knowledgeable of the various financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations, and must respond to difficult inquiries while remaining supportive, calm, and professional even under highly charged circumstances.

Our service structure calls upon technicians to explain, sometimes to defend, decisions made by other technicians and / or counselors. Because of the shared workload and working styles of a large group of individuals, successful technicians must be excellent communicators, good negotiators, team players, and excellent colleagues who share the goals and the hard work necessary to achieve them. Ability to handle multiple tasks with short deadlines. Ability to demonstrate excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to recognize and follow through on priorities in a timely manner

Financial Aid Technicians work under continuous pressure to meet various deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail and accuracy. Errors may result in significant liability for students as well as the institution. Technicians must be able to work flexibly with diverse constituencies and possess the ability to manage multiple competing priorities, while providing outstanding customer service. Ensures operational integrity and continuity by maintaining detailed descriptions of responsibilities, ranging from daily tasks to strategic activities and outcomes, and makes them available to supervisor.

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

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 Personnel Technician, Financial Aid

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 $4,262 - $4,415 per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.

CSU Classification Salary Range : The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $4,262 - $5,998 per month.

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.

Benefits

Excellent benefits through CalPERS (health, vision, dental), tuition fee waiver, generous vacation and sick leave, and 14 paid holidays each year.

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.

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