Student Services Specialist - Financial Aid

FIRST REVIEW JULY 23, 2026 - OPEN UNTIL FILLED

ESTIMATED STARTING SALARY

$4,399 TO $4,948 PER MONTH

$52,785 TO $59,376 PER YEAR

FULL SALARY RANGE LISTED BELOW

$4,399 TO $6,261 PER MONTH

$52,785 TO $75,130 PER YEAR

12 MONTHS / 40 HOURS PER WEEK POSITION

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT A COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

***TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE***

Under the direction of an administrator or manager, performs specialized and technical duties and responsibilities in support of Financial Aid programs and services available to new and returning students; receives, reviews, analyzes, verifies, and ensures financial aid applications are accurate, complete, and in compliance with established policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; performs a needs analysis, determines eligibility, and packages awards in accordance with District, federal, state, and local policies and procedures. College of the Siskiyous seeks applicants who possess the skills and qualities necessary to provide exceptional support to our diverse student body. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that reflects the richness of our community. If you share our commitment to social and racial justice and are passionate about creating a more equitable educational experience, we encourage you to apply. The Student Services Specialist, Financial Aid is distinguished from the Student Services Specialists who have disciplined focuses in various programs other than Financial Aid. The Student Services Specialist, Financial Aid serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for Financial Aid programs and services; the incumbent provides specialized and technical assistance to faculty, administration, managers, staff, and students with Financial Aid programs, services, and additional resources available. The Student Services Specialist can fulfill all other Student Services Specialist, Financial Aid duties but will be assigned primarily to specialize on Federal Work Study, Scholarships, Inceptia In-House Verification, Emails, Appeals Review, and to serve on the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Accesses and utilizes sensitive government web-based systems, databases, informational resources, and National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAASFAA) resources to troubleshoot and resolve issues; consults and collaborates with external organizations and/or agencies, as needed. * Extracts, gathers, records, analyzes, and processes statistical data to deliver financial aid services to students. * Assists students, faculty, counselors, parents, and staff with questions and concerns through a variety of communication modalities such as email, telephone, and in person. * Advises, informs, and guides students and parents regarding Financial Aid program eligibility and responsibilities; interprets and explains Financial Aid application policies, procedures, and funding availability from various programs and resources. * Schedules and provides individual appointments with students to assist and advise students related to special requirements, needs, assessments, and eligibility verification. * Performs needs analyses for a variety of programs such as the California College Promise Grant (CCPG), Cal Grants, and federal student aid programs. * Receives, reviews, collects, and processes Financial Aid documents required for student financial aid application files; evaluates required documentation to determine award packages in accordance with established guidelines; interprets and applies federal, state, and institutional regulations to determine and certify student eligibility; facilitates the delivery of funds; ensures completeness and accuracy of application materials in accordance with federal regulations. * Utilizes third‑party service interfaces and/or databases to track application verification statuses and download reports; updates and verifies data in the Student Information System (SIS). * Acts as a primary facilitator and point of contact for state and/or federal aid programs, including but not limited to GI Bill, Direct Loan, Pell, Work Study, and Cal Grant, etc.* Partners with district and college management and supervisors to facilitate and place approved students to participate in the Federal Work Study Program. * Assists the School Certifying Official in a backup capacity; reports enrollment to Veteran’s Affairs for GI Bill beneficiaries. * Participates in developing and implementation of procedures for new financial aid sources and assigned programs. Documents a variety of processes and procedures related to Financial Aid programs, including but not limited to final withdrawal date(s), financial aid return calculations, electronic SIS disbursements, credit freezes, and R2T4s; identifies and escalates issues and/or problems to management, as needed. * Prepares and generates standard, ad‑hoc, and mandated reports related to the area of assignment, including but not limited to government audits, student account reconciliation, and program compliance reports; creates, prepares, updates, and maintains documents, files, and filing systems related to the area of assignment. * Coordinates and conducts financial aid and/or student loan workshops on and off campus; provides support to outreach programs with college staff, community organizations, and local high schools. * Provides administrative support related to accounting functions for the department including but not limited to the preparation and submission of purchase orders, invoices for payment related to supplies and/or services, and other budgetary functions as needed. Attends and participates in meetings, conferences, and workshops to develop, update, and maintain knowledge and competencies related to financial aid regulations and compliance related to the area of assignment. Assists with training and providing work direction to subordinate classified staff, student workers, student assistants, and short‑term, temporary staff. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

Associate Degree with coursework in administration, business administration or related discipline. Two (2) years of experience working with community college students in an educational environment. Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related discipline. Experience working with financial aid in a higher education setting.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

May be required to possess, or demonstrate an ability to obtain a valid driver license if driving is required as an essential responsibility of the position. May be required to travel for various off‑site meetings, trainings, conferences, workshops, and/or events in support of the overall objective of the position.

KNOWLEDGE OF

District and college policies, procedures, rules, and regulations related to the area of assignment. Current federal and state financial aid regulations and guidelines. California Education Code as it related to the area of assignment. Organizational operations, policies, and objectives. General functions, policies, rules, and regulations of a community college. Applicable codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and laws. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Record‑keeping, record and file retrieval, filing, file‑sharing, and filing systems methods and techniques. Effective communication, both verbally and in writing. Operation and use of personal computers, computer software applications, programs, and databases; computer hardware and peripheral equipment. Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Mathematical calculations. Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

ABILITY TO

Independently perform the essential responsibilities of the position. Interpret and apply federal and state regulations pertaining to the financial aid process and student eligibility. Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, procedures, precedents, and policies related to the area of assignment. Review, research, and analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations. Work effectively with under‑represented students and students with disabilities. Plan, coordinate, organize, and prioritize workload to meet timelines. Update and maintain knowledge and competencies related to the area of assignment. Participate and complete training courses related to the area of assignment. Exercise professional judgment and discretion to adjust aid in government systems under prescribed and approved guidelines of the administrator or manager. Update and maintain knowledge and competencies related to software applications and programs related to the area of assignment. Coordinate flow of communications and information as needed. Gather and extract data to generate and prepare comprehensive reports related to the area of assignment. Compose effective correspondence. Type or input data at an acceptable rate of speed. Answer telephones and greet the public courteously. Maintain a variety of records, logs, and files. Operate and utilize a computer to input and/or extract data, maintain automated records, and generate computerized reports. Computer software programs and applications, computer hardware, and peripheral equipment. Work independently with little direction. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Determine appropriate action within clearly defined guidelines. Perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy as required by the area of assignment. Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, faculty, staff, and the public. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others during the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this classification, employees are regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time; talk or hear in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, operate personal computers and other standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms; bend at the waist, kneel or crouch to file materials. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to distinguish basic shades and colors and the ability to adjust focus. Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this classification, incumbents are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data information, and documents; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work under changing intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks; and interact with District administration, management, staff, students, vendors, the public, elected officials, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or disruptive. The work environment described here in a representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this classification. Incumbents in this classification may encounter frequent interruptions by college personnel, students, and the public. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; noise levels may vary depending on activities of the office, division, or department. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

College of the Siskiyous (Siskiyous) acknowledges and condemns the history of colonization of the Indigenous Tribes who originally inhabited the land on which our institution stands. We acknowledge their continued existence and wisdom regarding this place and area. It is our mission and vision to foster a community that is inclusive, responsive and supportive of all of its members equitably. It is important for our students and staff to understand the history of our area, acknowledge the past, collaborate with our communities, and facilitate course work which empowers our students with the tools to lead with respect. All members of the College community are responsible for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which differences are embraced, sharing is encouraged, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. We will continually assess our progress to ensure that diversity initiatives disrupt and eliminate harmful policies within our college community. Siskiyous welcomes and embraces students and employees from all backgrounds including, but not limited to: ability or disability, age, ancestry, body type or size, citizenship or immigration status, economic status, educational status, employment status, ethnicity, food or housing insecurity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, incarceration experience, language, marital or partner status, military or veteran status, national origin, neuro‑diversity, physical or mental health status, political affiliation, race or racial identity, religion, reproductive status, sex, and/or sexual orientation. The College strives to ensure that its diversity initiatives are anti‑racist and inclusive. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate oppressive policies within our College community.

SELECTION PROCESS

After the preliminary screening, selected candidates will be invited to the campus for an initial interview with the Search Committee. Video conference interviews (in lieu of an in‑person initial interview) will be offered. Candidates to be interviewed will be selected from applicants who most closely meet the minimum and desired qualifications. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. The Search Committee will recommend finalists to the Superintendent/President for a final interview. The district reserves the right to re‑advertise the position or to delay indefinitely filling of the position if it is deemed that applicants for the position do not constitute an adequate applicant pool or if funding is not available.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employees must satisfy all the pre‑employment requirements prior to appointment that include, but are not limited to, tuberculosis clearance (EC 87408.6), fingerprint processing, and verification of their legal right to work in the United States. A pre‑employment physical examination may be required. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application or interview process must notify the Human Resources Office in advance. College of the Siskiyous is an equal opportunity employer. The policy of the District is to encourage applications from ethnic and racial minorities, women, persons with disabilities and Vietnam‑era veterans. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, color, sex or gender, gender identity, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, medical conditions, status as a Vietnam‑era veteran, ancestry or political or organizational affiliation. College of the Siskiyous is accredited by the Accrediting commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. #J-18808-Ljbffr College-of-the-Siskiyou