Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid and the daily supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid (FA) Counselor performs a variety of basic and complex student services work characterized by advising, technical and administrative duties in support of the students applying Financial Aid.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Using appropriate Federal, State, and Institutional standards, evaluates information provided by financial aid applicants to determine eligibility for specific types of assistance. Explains the financial aid award cycle, answers questions related to the financial aid award process, and communicates to students and parents. Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions. Recommends and implements guidelines to support the functions of the overall Financial Aid Office.
• Provides support to other counselors and the Lead Counselor as needed by determining the importance of each task and completes functions according to established deadlines and changing priorities.
• Independently provides financial aid counseling to prospective, current, and alumni students and families through email, telephone, and in-person appointments. Maintains a positive, effective working environment between the Financial Aid office and other on-campus departments. Plans, counsels, and uses professional judgment and effective decision-making to ensure that the student population is processed efficiently and effectively. Provides telephone and front counter reception.
• Independently develops and conducts financial aid presentations in individual and group settings to on-campus and off-campus constituents throughout the year, including weekends.

Other functions:

Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

Working knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior; procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management. General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.

Ability 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; 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; and, 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.

Minimum qualifications:

Education: 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. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience: Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master's degree in a job related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Preferred qualifications:

Bilingual in Spanish. Experience with electronic transfer of data, and other automated systems involved in a financial aid office. Experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. Experience in a Financial Aid Office in a comparable four-year institution. Second language proficiency.

Technical fluency with Oracle/PeopleSoft, CSU Common Management System or equivalent information system; Microsoft Office Professional; Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, Forms, etc.); 25Live; intranet drives; and internet browsers.

Special conditions of employment & position designations:

• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).
• The person holding this position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order EO 1095, EO 1096, and EO 1097 as a condition of employment.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards.
• This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education's Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California's Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The position is required to participate in training at the direction of the Clery Director and must also promptly report allegations of reportable crimes according to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, its accompanying regulations; the California State Education Code, Chapter 15.5, of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, Section 67380; and the California State University system-wide policy, Code EO 1107.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with responsibility for the care, safety and security of people (including children and minors), animals and CSU property.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

Physical environment:

Office environment with standard equipment and tasks. The position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time. May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.

Benefits/Perks:

CSUMB offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, dental and vision plans; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. For more information, visit the Employee Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable housing near main campus. The allocation of housing is subject to several factors, including availability, eligibility criteria, and specific program guidelines. For more information, visit:

Application procedure:

To receive full consideration, applicants must complete and submit the required online application by the priority screening date listed on the Careers at CSUMB website. Applications received after this date may be reviewed at the University's discretion. All submitted materials become the property of CSUMB and will not be returned.

CSUMB is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or emailing View email address on click.appcast.io

All employees must be eligible for employment in the U.S.

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.

General information:

CSUMB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States and is an E-Verify employer. In compliance with federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, you can view the notice of availability and access the Cal State University, Monterey Bay annual security and fire safety reports at

CSUMB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

Equal opportunity employer:

CSUMB is an Equal Opportunity employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information