Financial Aid Specialist (2 Positions)

The position may require the ability to work evening, weekends and holidays if needed at multiple locations.

DEFINITION

 

Under direction of the assigned administrator, be responsible for the timely and accurate processing of federal, state and institutional financial aid applications and the dissemination of related program information to the Cuesta community, including students, parents, faculty, and the community-at-large.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

This position is distinguished from other specialists in the Student Service Support series in that incumbents are expected to have a full knowledge of all the regulations and guidelines regarding financial aid, the ability to perform verification, technical knowledge of assigned programs and the ability to exercise professional judgment in accordance with the Department of Education’s rules and guidelines.  

 

Financial Aid Specialist position may follow a hybrid schedule working an in-office and remote schedule.

 

Incumbents in this position support Guided Pathways framework, student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by ensuring state and federal compliance are met and encouraging student success through the Financial Aid process.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

 Additional information about the college can be found at 
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
 The college planning documents can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
 Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
 We offer comprehensive benefit options.  Information about benefits can be found at
 https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist students and prospective students with their applications for financial aid; advise and counsel student applicants and recipients in all phase of financial aid; assess individual academic, financial and personal circumstances; determine impact of needs analysis; explain program regulations, requirements and institutional policies; assure accuracy and completeness of applications;

• Perform any and all clerical work related to financial aid administration;
• Perform eligibility determination, verification, and awarding for any federal, state, or local financial aid program;
• Prepare needs analysis and package of financial aid applicants; interpret regulations, policies and procedures to determine appropriate award allocation; establish student budgets and determine program eligibility; modify awards, budgets and need analysis to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines;
• Ability to use professional judgment (as defined by the Department of Education) when directed;

• Serve as a reviewer for scholarship applications and appeals;
• Plan and monitor specific projects and activities, ensuring they are completed by established deadlines and in compliance;
• Identify and research potential problems and make recommendations for action; 
• Collaborate with other relevant parties as necessary to update the student information system to make necessary changes to financial aid processing as a result of new regulations, policies, procedures, and/or aid years;
• Participate in the annual program planning process, including staff meetings and retreats;
• Maintain current knowledge of all laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures related to financial aid programs and analyze policies and procedures to ensure compliance;
• Correspond with Cuesta College personnel, students, parents, and various outside agencies to resolve conflicts of information and any other concerns related to financial aid;
• Responsible for assigned financial aid programs or activities (e.g. Direct Loans, Federal Work-Study, outside scholarships, state grant programs, Pell, etc.)
• Coordinate activities of assigned state and federal financial aid programs; monitor annual funding to assure adequate funds are available for awarding;
• Assist with the preparation of various financial aid reports;
• Conduct outreach and in-reach activities at local high schools, community functions, and on-campus events;
• Perform a variety of technical accounting duties in the review, evaluation, maintenance, reconciliation and adjustment of assigned financial aid programs;
• Correspond with fiscal services staff to reconcile reports, resolve discrepancies between awards and disbursements and determine financial aid overpayments;
• Ensure accuracy of student and financial data in all transactions involving the student information system or any other software used by the department;  
• Serve as a financial aid representative on committees or workgroups as necessary; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education:

Preferred:

• Associate’s degree;

 

Experience:

Required:

• Two years of experience working with financial aid programs;
• Education may be substituted for experience on the basis of one year of education for two years of experience;

 

Preferred:

• Bilingual (Spanish)

 

Knowledge of:

• Title IV federal and state financial aid programs;
• Computer systems used in financial aid processing and record keeping;
• General accounting principles;
• Public speaking methods;
• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary;
• District policies and procedures; and

 

Ability to: 

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; 
• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities; 
• Understand, interpret, communicate and apply laws, regulations, and procedures concerning financial aid programs;
• Work in a high-volume environment with recurrent deadlines and frequent interruptions;
• Evaluate financial needs of students;
• Plan and organize work, meet schedules and timelines;
• Work independently with little direction and effectively with frequent interruptions. 

 

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter as well as text and data on computer monitors;
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email; 
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds; and
• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

 

License and Certificates (current within the last year)

Required:

Valid driver’s license and eligible to obtain California driver’s license upon hire.The position may require the ability to work evening, weekends and holidays if needed at multiple locations.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
 Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred. 

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume;
3. Reference List (see further instructions below);
4. Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

 
Diversity Statement Instructions:  Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.
 
Reference List Instructions:   Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.
 
Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position.  LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
 
SALARY SCHEDULE
Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College’s bargaining agreement, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases. For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

• Salary Schedule Range: $4,905 - $5,962 per month.
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,905 - $5,408 per month.

 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.
 
San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.  Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
 
In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety.  This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years.   You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices:  on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours.  You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act
 
Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.htmlSelected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Thursday, June 24, 2024.