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, with a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About The College

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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Unit of the Tseng College of Extended Learning at CSUN, responsible for independent student advisement and finalization of approximately $20 million annual awards of grants, loans, and scholarships.
• Evaluate and package financial aid for assigned graduate/undergraduate programs.
• Provide information and guidance to ensure financial aid is coordinated appropriately and timely to best serve students and help meet program goals.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, state law, CSU Executive Orders, and institutional policies.
• Communicate with campus offices and departments, and participate in campus and community outreach activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.

Skills

• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures, and activities of the program to which assigned; methods and problems of organizational and program management; research and interview techniques; and principles of individual and group behavior.
• Thorough knowledge of financial aid regulations, practices, and options; federal and state regulations is preferred.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze, and evaluate data.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with large database systems (preferably in a higher education context, such as Oracle or PeopleSoft) and Microsoft Office suite or equivalent.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to compose and edit complex correspondence and reports.
• 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, supporting documents, deadlines, criteria of off-campus agencies, tax forms, citizenship and DHS documents, and special expertise in financial aid for part-time students in non-standard term formats.
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters; recognize multicultural, multi-sexed, and multi-aged value systems; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, administrators, student organizations, and public/private agencies.
• Ability to rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions, and programs of the campus.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement and savings plans
• Tuition waiver

Pay

The anticipated hiring range is $5,083 - $5,429 per month, dependent upon qualifications and experience. The salary range for this classification is $5,083 - $7,228 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time; 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday; may include evenings and weekends
• Regular position with a one-year probationary period
• Currently hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote); subject to change based on student and/or operational needs

Applications received through August 27, 2026, will be considered in the initial review and review will continue until the position is filled.