Online Programs Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor

Job Summary

The Online Programs Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor performs functions under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Financial Aid Counseling but works independently to provide a variety of coordinating and advising services in support of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. The incumbent performs functions related to the functional and technical financial aid programs, the Financial Aid application processes and awarding cycles, as well as student and parent counseling. The incumbent will maintain a high level of knowledge regarding Financial Aid programs that attracts, retains, and enrolls academically qualified, culturally diverse, and socially conscious populations of undergraduate and graduate students. As a representative for San Jose State University, the incumbent maintains a high level of expertise in Financial Aid requirements, processes, and regulations to facilitate quality customer service and financial aid advising in supporting students' decision to apply and attend SJSU. The incumbent will collect accurate financial aid documentation and perform verification in order to award aid to our online student population. The incumbent will be responsible to provide financial aid counseling for prospective and continuing students. The Online Programs Coordinator and Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for serving as the point of contact for SJSU Online Enrollment Counselors and for the evaluation and verification of aid prospective and applicant online learners.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the online Programs supported by the Financial Aid Office (SJSU Online, and Accelerated Programs with a special session fee structure)
• Verification and award coordination of financial aid awarded for students enrolled in SJSU Online program
• Liaison with on and off campus personnel in administering the various programs. Work closely with the Bursar's Office to ensure the timely disbursement and transmittal of financial aid for the special programs
• Ensures the effective Financial Aid communication process to prospective students and their families, and supports the yield process and activities for admitted students
• Maintains knowledge of financial aid programs, including Pell, Federal, Cal Grant, and Federal Work Study (FWS). Keeps current and interprets federal and scholarship eligibility criteria and office practices
• Communicates effectively with students regarding their on-line checklist items and their individual status in the Financial Aid application. Explains the applicant process award cycle and answers questions related to Financial Aid and Scholarship award process at San Jose State University and communicates to students and parents
• Assists students at the front counter answering questions during drop-in hours and provides phone coverage. Explains to students and parents the various documents, such as tax transcripts and verification forms that may be requested by FASO to complete the application process

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Ability to interact with a variety of internal partners from Academic and Student Affairs to the Office of the President
• Knowledge of methods, procedures, practices and activities of the program area
• Ability to interpret and apply university policies, rules, and regulations regarding financial aid
• Ability to interpret and explain policies to various staff members and students
• General knowledge of individual counseling techniques, and working knowledge of student services programs to which immediately assigned
• Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports
• Knowledge of software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database management
• General knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques
• Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews; ability to acquire and apply knowledge of financial aid requirements
• Ability to analyze and evaluate financial documents, and acquire and apply knowledge of Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Ability to be sensitive and responsive to student needs and ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Ability to perform accurately in a detail-oriented environment and handle multiple work priorities, organize and plan work and projects
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. A master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Five years (5) of in-house financial aid experience - from application to disbursement - FAFSA completion, awarding students, revising awards, and understanding of Return to Title IV (R2T4) and its effect on the online population
• Two (2) years of experience working with special populations outside of the regular financial aid process
• Two (2) years of student counseling experience relaying information to students and families on their financial aid eligibility
• Two (2) years of experience of presenting to students/families through in-person or virtual means
• Experience with online document retrieval system (On-Base) and running queries from PeopleSoft

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,025/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,025/month - $7,159/month

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: March 22, 2024 through April 8, 2024. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).