Financial Aid Counselor - Trainee

Position Summary

Under direct supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor Trainee will be trained to provide daily support and contact with financial aid and scholarship applicants and parents regarding financial aid/scholarship eligibility requirements, satisfactory academic progress, personal budgeting techniques, and resolution of family financial circumstances which could preclude attendance at the university. Using established guidelines, review system-generated need analyses/awards to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

This role will assess students' current and potential financial and academic circumstances and will be trained to make appropriate recommendations. This role will also assist various program coordinators with responsibilities as needed (e.g., NSLDS, File Review, QC Report, Scholarships, Satisfactory Academic Progress). This position will support the financial aid needs of students at the San Diego, Imperial Valley, and Global Campuses.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position anticipated to end on June 30, 2025, with the possibility of reappointment. This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) supports students attending SDSU at all of the university’s campuses - San Diego, Imperial Valley, and Global Campus. FAO determines student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and private/institutional scholarship funds according to applicable statutes, regulations, and requirements, and coordinates the administration of these funds with numerous external sources. The responsibilities are carried out by a highly trained staff using an innovative, state-of-the-art data processing system and an efficient and effective organizational structure. The Office's broad range of responsibilities includes awarding over $300 million of financial aid and scholarship funds coordinated and administered by the university, counseling students and parents about availability and eligibility criteria for all aid programs, coordinating reporting responsibilities with all funding sources, and managing aid delivery in a timely and accurate manner.

The management team (the Director, one Associate Director, and three Assistant Directors) oversees all functions of the office, in consultation with the Vice President and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Administration determines policy, approves procedures, manages the financial aid and scholarship funds and operating budget, collaborates with other university personnel, and provides a progressive and dynamic environment for staff to accomplish specified objectives. The financial aid and scholarship counseling and program administration staff (comprised of Student Services Professionals I, II, and III) administers assigned aid programs, scholarships and office functions, maintains applicant and award information in the financial aid and scholarship databases, retaining paper records only where required, evaluates all aspects of a student’s eligibility including the exercise of professional judgment, and verifies initial and continued eligibility for various aid programs.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity

The Division facilitates the academic and career success, personal growth and well-being of all students, and works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

• Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;
• Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff and alumni of all backgrounds;
• Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;
• Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces; and
• Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

For more information regarding the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, click here.

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. Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown below may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to provide good customer service and communicate effectively.
• Must be able to collaborate within a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt quickly while being open to feedback.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $3,952 per month.

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.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $3,952- $4,834 per month.

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on June 4, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by June 3, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

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.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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 SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Eurick Hilario at echilario@sdsu.edu.