Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

Posting #: 5715

Position Status: Full-time regular

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Administrator, Office of Financial Aid

Position Title & Department:

Financial Aid Counselor; Office of Financial Aid

Posting #
5715

Department Description:The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) is responsible for the awarding of Federal, State, and Institutional financial aid to Undergraduate and Graduate students at the University of San Diego. The OFA is also responsible for maintaining Federal, State, and Institutional compliance to ensure proper delivery of financial aid. This includes scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. The OFA determines student eligibility using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CA Dream Act Application, and the USD Dream Act Application. 76% of USD students receive some type of financial aid.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

• Provide support for all Veteran and Active Duty students, Undocumented Students, & Torero Renaissance Scholars
• Coordinate Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Counsel students (and parents as needed) who have complicated situations
• Provide excellent customer service
• Perform Form Review and Analysis functions, awarding, and re-evaluations
• Attend state/federal training workshops and conferences for Financial Aid as needed
• Views webinars as needed

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Coordinator

• Point of contact for all Veteran and Active Duty students. Work with the Epstein Family Military Center (EFMC) to coordinate VA benefits with financial aid package.
• Work closely with the Provost's Office and Veterans Center to manage the VA/Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program, including updating the Terms and Conditions of Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program for both undergraduate and graduate students.
• Create an UG & GR worksheet which serves as an audit trail and is updated annually for internal use in calculating the amount of Yellow Ribbon Scholarship funding to award to a student each semester and coordinate VA/YR with other financial aid.
• Award and revise, as required, each undergraduate student recipient of the VA Chapter 33, Chapter 33Y and Chapter 31 VR&E.
• Liaison with Navy ROTC, Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC to award all ROTC Scholarships and appropriate Room & Board Grants and coordinate with other financial aid per federal regulations and USD policies.
• Point of contact for all Undocumented students. Download California Dream Act Application data (CAL ISIRs) from CSAC, l load ISIR data from USD Dream Act apps and package financial aid. Work with Admissions team in identifying undocumented students and clarifying status as needed. Tracking the selection of 10 USD Room & Board Grants, Preparing Offers of Financial Aid for all CADAA and USD Dream Act applicants every academic year.
• Point of contact for Torero Renaissance Scholars. Represent Office of Financial Aid on the Torero Renaissance Scholars Program.
• Conduct Satisfactory Academic Progress Review for all students; notify affected students; monitor responses and, using professional judgment, review appeals.

Application and File Processing

• Determine student financial aid eligibility based on Federal Methodology and USD Guidelines by participating in ANA/INAS processes.
• Determine & revise students' Financial Aid Award using USD, federal, and state guidelines
• Adhere to guidelines; however, identify and recommend exceptions for professional judgment consideration as needed
• Perform re-evaluations of Financial Aid Awards

Applicant Advising

• Ensure that students/parents receive excellent customer service by providing accurate and prompt information, and serve as part of the FAST shift rotation, and COD Cases rotation
• Counsel students (and parents as needed) who have complicated situations on financial aid/personal matters with sensitivity to emotional contexts
• Act as liaison with other USD offices with regard to students' concerns. Ex: Torero Hub, EFMC, Deans Offices, TCCs, SSS and others as needed.

Other

• Represent USD by creating and making Financial Aid presentations at various campus events especially the annual Transfer Orientation for the EFMC.
• Serve as integral part of financial aid team in formulating and implementing OFA policies and procedures for office management and modifications to packaging and processing guidelines
• Attend state/federal training workshops and state/regional conferences relevant to financial aid; Also view webinars, as needed

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Ability and availability to work additional hours at peak processing times
• Ability to make difficult and critical decisions
• Ability to make independent decisions
• Ability to assist emotionally sensitive students and parents with financial aid issues

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement : Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.


Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2 years full time experience in financial aid
• Knowledge of need analysis and student aid
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Title IV regulations, VA benefits, and Yellow Ribbon processes & guidelines
• Word processing skills
• Excel skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Banner

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Familiarity with ED Connect and COD software
• Extensive knowledge of USD policies and procedures
• High degree of mathematical accuracy
• Ability to function as an effective team member
• Maintain diplomacy in difficult situations
• Effective organizational skills
• Ability to make independent decisions
• Ability to adjust to a changing environment
• Mastery of need analysis and student aid policies and regulations
• Capacity to listen and respond to students with knowledge and understanding
• Public Speaking Skills

Posting Salary:
$5,859-5,983 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additional Details:
Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note : External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit

Advertised: September 10, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close:


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