Financial Aid Counselor

About the role

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships supports the campus goals to recruit, retain, and provide a first-in-class education to the most talented students, regardless of background. This role involves applying a broad understanding of student aid program practices and policies to determine appropriate allocation of financial aid awards, providing individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues, and analyzing regulations.

Responsibilities

• Determine appropriate allocation of financial aid awards based on policies and regulations.
• Authorize exceptions to financial aid allocations as needed.
• Provide individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues in an accurate, timely, professional, and courteous manner.
• Explain and interpret government and university rules and regulations concerning all areas of student financial assistance.
• Analyze regulations and participate in the development of UCI Financial Aid Office policy and procedures for administering financial aid from federal, state, university, and outside sources.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid.
• Specialized knowledge of particular programs.
• Working knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Ability to interpret policies and develop procedures to ensure compliance.
• Problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Judgment and decision-making ability.
• Ability to calculate financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Strong customer service orientation skills.
• Strong ability to assess processes and implement improvements.
• Strong proficiency with standard office software as well as internet and email applications.
• Experience using complex databases.
• Ability to define specifications for database programming.
• Strong presentation skills across multiple delivery methods for a diverse array of audiences and audience sizes.
• Ability to address complex issues and provide suggestions and solutions.
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of information and records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 5-10 years Financial aid awarding and counseling experience preferred.
• Experience using Student Financial Planning and/or Student Billing Systems.
• Knowledge of Institutional Need Analysis System (INAS).

Skills

• Working knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid.
• Specialized knowledge of particular programs.
• Working knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Ability to interpret policies and develop procedures to ensure compliance.
• Problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Judgment and decision-making ability.
• Ability to calculate financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Strong customer service orientation skills.
• Strong ability to assess processes and implement improvements.
• Strong proficiency with standard office software as well as internet and email applications.
• Experience using complex databases.
• Ability to define specifications for database programming.
• Strong presentation skills across multiple delivery methods for a diverse array of audiences and audience sizes.
• Ability to address complex issues and provide suggestions and solutions.
• Ability to maintain security and confidentiality of information and records.

Benefits

The University of California offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a variety of discounts and perks. For more information, please visit this page.

Pay

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $65,700.00 - $65,700.00 (Annual).

Schedule

Occasional/seasonal nights and weekends may be required.

Conditions of Employment

• Background Check and Live Scan.
• Employment Misconduct.
• Legal Right to work in the United States.
• Vaccination Policies.
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy.
• Drug Free Environment.
• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.