Financial Aid Counselor

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 and be recognized for the work you do, and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

CSUN's Tseng College provides advanced professional education to undergraduate, graduate, international and midcareer students. With more than $34 million in revenue, the College is a leading provider of professional degrees, certificates, and custom-designed programs. Known for its premier support services, the College employs an administrative staff of more than 65 full-time employees and over 25 part-time student administrative support assistants.

The College is nationally recognized for providing programs with formats, delivery modes and locations that address the needs and constraints facing working professionals and their organizations. It works closely with businesses, communities, agencies, and international partners to design and deliver programs that meet unique organizational needs and goals.

Major Duties

Under the general direction of the Associate Director, Extended Learning Financial Aid Services, the Financial Aid Counselor will serve as a member of the Financial Aid Unit of the Tseng College of Extended Learning at CSUN, which is responsible for independent student advisement and finalization of approximately $20 million annual awards of grants, loans, and scholarships.

• Responsible for evaluating and packaging financial aid for graduate/undergraduate programs assigned.
• Provides information and guidance and makes sure financial aid is coordinated appropriately and timely to best serve students and help meet graduate and undergraduate program goals.
• 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.

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 the professional experience.
• Additional specialized and relevant experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience working with part-time students in non-standard term programs is preferred.

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.
• Thorough knowledge of financial aid regulations, practices, and options is required. Knowledge of federal and state regulations is preferred.
• 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.
• Strong computer skills are required. Must have experience in working with a large database system preferably in a higher education context (such as Oracle data systems); experience with PeopleSoft is a plus; thorough knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office suite or equivalent.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Ability to compose and edit complex correspondence and reports. Ability to describe and communicate complex ideas and programs.
• Must have strong interviewing skills, good judgment, and thorough knowledge of federal, state, Chancellor's Office, and institutional policies and regulations. Knowledge of CSUN policies and procedures, alternative funding sources, NCAA financial aid restrictions, quality assurance policies, and other relevant information.
• Knowledge of different application forms and supporting documents, deadlines and cycles, criteria of off-campus agencies such as, fee waiver and admission requirements, an understanding of tax forms, various citizenship and DHS documents, and special expertise in the requirement for financial aid for the part-time student in programs with non- standard term formats.
• Knowledge of the needs analysis, eligibility criteria for various funding sources, "satisfactory academic progress" regulations and policies as they apply to the part-time student in programs with non-traditional formats, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, effective use of financial aid and billing/receivable systems technology, the Tseng College policies and processes for fee payment, and effective and detailed document analysis.
• 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 program 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 / 1
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $5083 - $5429 per month, dependent upon qualifications and experience. The salary range for this classification is: $5083 - $7228 per month.
• HOURS: Full Time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday; may include evenings and weekends.
• This is a Regular position with a one-year probationary period.
• The position is currently hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote); however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• Applications received through August 27, 2026, will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until 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 the 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 outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• Per 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.
• California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN online application. To apply and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link:
• 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.