What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Specialist (Student Financial Services) - Riverside City College position at Riverside Community College District?
BASIC FUNCTION
Provides specialized support to students who are applying for financial aid; works with students and internal financial aid staff to facilitate student access to education related grants, loans, waivers, and scholarships; accepts, reviews, researches, and processes financial aid requests; verifies and determines the accuracy and validity of financial aid related applications and documents; assists in the grant and loan disbursement process.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned area supervisor. May provide lead direction to temporary staff and/or student workers.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification in Financial Aid series is responsible for performing the full range of technical duties by conducting financial aid counseling for students and processing financial aid requests, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the department.
Provides specialized support to students who are applying for financial aid; works with students and internal financial aid staff to facilitate student access to education related grants, loans, waivers, and scholarships; accepts, reviews, researches, and processes financial aid requests; verifies and determines the accuracy and validity of financial aid related applications and documents; assists in the grant and loan disbursement process.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned area supervisor. May provide lead direction to temporary staff and/or student workers.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification in Financial Aid series is responsible for performing the full range of technical duties by conducting financial aid counseling for students and processing financial aid requests, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the department.
Education:
Education and Experience:
Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience supporting a financial aid program in an educational institution; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
Completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience supporting a financial aid program in an educational institution; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
Experience:
Knowledge of:
1. Multiple sources of financial aid and the processes through which they are available.
2. General financial aid intake guidelines.
3. Principles and practices of eligibility determination.
4. Financial aid guidelines and application processes.
5. Methods and techniques of interviewing students and eliciting relevant information.
6. Mathematical principles.
7. Business and office administrative practices and procedures.
8. College registration and matriculation processes and services.
9. Diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
10. Methods and techniques of processing financial aid documents and forms.
11. Methods and techniques of compiling and generating reports.
12. Grant and loan funding principles and practices, including those related to disbursement such as checks and direct deposit.
13. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
14. Principles and practices of recordkeeping.
15. Methods and techniques of developing program information and materials.
Ability to:
1. Interpret and apply a wide variety of changing federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures.
2. Work tactfully and efficiently with a diverse population of students and their families.
3. Make accurate mathematical computations.
4. Evaluate student documentation to ensure proper and accurate completion.
5. Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
6. Be thorough, organized, consistent, and accurate in processing diverse and complex financial aid files.
7. Provide technical support to grant and loan funding processes and recordkeeping.
8. Appropriately answer financial aid questions, maintain confidentiality, and be discreet with student information.
9. Collaborate with various student services and academic departments.
10. Exercise independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
11. Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. 12. Communicate effectively in the course of performing work tasks.
13. Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
14. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff, and the community.
15. Provide efficient, high-level customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and District personnel.
1. Multiple sources of financial aid and the processes through which they are available.
2. General financial aid intake guidelines.
3. Principles and practices of eligibility determination.
4. Financial aid guidelines and application processes.
5. Methods and techniques of interviewing students and eliciting relevant information.
6. Mathematical principles.
7. Business and office administrative practices and procedures.
8. College registration and matriculation processes and services.
9. Diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
10. Methods and techniques of processing financial aid documents and forms.
11. Methods and techniques of compiling and generating reports.
12. Grant and loan funding principles and practices, including those related to disbursement such as checks and direct deposit.
13. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
14. Principles and practices of recordkeeping.
15. Methods and techniques of developing program information and materials.
Ability to:
1. Interpret and apply a wide variety of changing federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures.
2. Work tactfully and efficiently with a diverse population of students and their families.
3. Make accurate mathematical computations.
4. Evaluate student documentation to ensure proper and accurate completion.
5. Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
6. Be thorough, organized, consistent, and accurate in processing diverse and complex financial aid files.
7. Provide technical support to grant and loan funding processes and recordkeeping.
8. Appropriately answer financial aid questions, maintain confidentiality, and be discreet with student information.
9. Collaborate with various student services and academic departments.
10. Exercise independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
11. Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. 12. Communicate effectively in the course of performing work tasks.
13. Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
14. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff, and the community.
15. Provide efficient, high-level customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and District personnel.
Licenses/Certifications:
Licenses and Certifications:
None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This classification primarily works in an office and standing in and walking between work areas is occasionally required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Employees in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds.
The essential functions of this classification must be performed by the incumbents with or without reasonable accommodations.
None.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This classification primarily works in an office and standing in and walking between work areas is occasionally required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Employees in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds.
The essential functions of this classification must be performed by the incumbents with or without reasonable accommodations.
Other:
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset individuals in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset individuals in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities:
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Accepts, processes, researches, and completes all financial aid requests, including grants and loans, in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; verifies and determines the accuracy and validity of financial aid related documents required for the process; resolves conflicting information issues; and packages up applications for final review, award, and approval by others.
2. Advises and informs a diverse population of students and their families, in person and virtually, on financial assistance programs, options, and responsibilities; explains federal, state, and institutional Communicate effectively in the course of performing work tasks.
13. Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
14. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff, and the community.
15. Provide efficient, high-level customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and District personnel.funding sources and eligibility criteria; assists with the application procedure; explains policies to students, parents and other campus constituents; responds to phone calls, emails, and written requests in a timely and accurate manner.
3. Serves as an initial point of contact for students with special or unusual circumstances; conducts interviews to evaluate the best approach for moving forward with financial aid requests.
4. Provides counseling to students on the manner of integrating their financial concerns relative to personal and/or academic problems in a sensitive, confidential manner.
5. Reviews California College Promise Grant (CCPG) applications and tuition waivers for eligibility to ensure accurate data input and assists with end of year reports to the State; determines eligibility and administers waiver awards; ensures compliance with changing legislation; audits CCPG applications and tuition waivers to ensure data is accurate; maintains spreadsheets and files documents; develops annual applications; updates annual policies and procedures; and verifies veteran eligibility utilizing documents received through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
6. May process and award various special program grants, scholarships, and waivers as assigned; maintains records for financial aid recipients and records data for periodic and/or annual reporting and grant reconciliation; and awards special program funds via various payment types.
7. Educates students on accurate disbursement of funds based on enrollment status and financial aid eligibility; composes and creates informational literature, marketing materials, and communications to students and sends departmental forms and informational flyers; images and archives documents in scanning database. 8. Assists students with their financial aid preferences, including account creation through disbursement provider; communicates issues and requests to disbursement provider when necessary and advises students on issues regarding their accounts and disbursements.
9. Collaborates with various student services and academic departments; assists with financial aid educational workshops within the District and for various high schools in the District's service area; participates in education and training on financial aid regulations and procedures; keeps abreast of changes in regulations through participation in conferences, workshops, and training seminars.
10. Participates in District-provided in-service training programs.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned; specific duties not listed does not exclude them for this classification if the work is similar or related.
1. Accepts, processes, researches, and completes all financial aid requests, including grants and loans, in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; verifies and determines the accuracy and validity of financial aid related documents required for the process; resolves conflicting information issues; and packages up applications for final review, award, and approval by others.
2. Advises and informs a diverse population of students and their families, in person and virtually, on financial assistance programs, options, and responsibilities; explains federal, state, and institutional Communicate effectively in the course of performing work tasks.
13. Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
14. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socio-economic, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff, and the community.
15. Provide efficient, high-level customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and District personnel.funding sources and eligibility criteria; assists with the application procedure; explains policies to students, parents and other campus constituents; responds to phone calls, emails, and written requests in a timely and accurate manner.
3. Serves as an initial point of contact for students with special or unusual circumstances; conducts interviews to evaluate the best approach for moving forward with financial aid requests.
4. Provides counseling to students on the manner of integrating their financial concerns relative to personal and/or academic problems in a sensitive, confidential manner.
5. Reviews California College Promise Grant (CCPG) applications and tuition waivers for eligibility to ensure accurate data input and assists with end of year reports to the State; determines eligibility and administers waiver awards; ensures compliance with changing legislation; audits CCPG applications and tuition waivers to ensure data is accurate; maintains spreadsheets and files documents; develops annual applications; updates annual policies and procedures; and verifies veteran eligibility utilizing documents received through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
6. May process and award various special program grants, scholarships, and waivers as assigned; maintains records for financial aid recipients and records data for periodic and/or annual reporting and grant reconciliation; and awards special program funds via various payment types.
7. Educates students on accurate disbursement of funds based on enrollment status and financial aid eligibility; composes and creates informational literature, marketing materials, and communications to students and sends departmental forms and informational flyers; images and archives documents in scanning database. 8. Assists students with their financial aid preferences, including account creation through disbursement provider; communicates issues and requests to disbursement provider when necessary and advises students on issues regarding their accounts and disbursements.
9. Collaborates with various student services and academic departments; assists with financial aid educational workshops within the District and for various high schools in the District's service area; participates in education and training on financial aid regulations and procedures; keeps abreast of changes in regulations through participation in conferences, workshops, and training seminars.
10. Participates in District-provided in-service training programs.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned; specific duties not listed does not exclude them for this classification if the work is similar or related.
Duties and Responsibilities - Continued:
Duties and Responsibilities: - Continued
Conditions of Employment:
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
SALARY: Salary grades consist of nine steps. A new employee is normally placed on Step 1 of the grade. Changes in step placement take place on the first day of the first month following the anniversary date of attaining permanent classified employee status until the maximum of the grade is reached.
HOLIDAYS: There are 13 holidays observed each year. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months.
VACATION: Employees are granted 12 days of vacation per year through the first five years of service to the District; 15 days after completion of five continuous years of service to the District; 20 days after completion of ten continuous years of service to the District; and 22 days after completion of 15 continuous years of service to the District. This computation is based on full-time, twelve-month employment. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months.
SICK LEAVE: One day of sick leave for each month of service is granted. This is based on full-time, twelve-month
employment. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve
months. There is no limit to the number of days of sick leave which may be accrued.
FRINGE BENEFITS: The college provides a health and welfare benefit package for employees and legal qualifying dependents. Those employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months will receive a pro-rata share of the benefit package. The dollar value of the package is a subject of negotiation between the District and the Bargaining Unit. Employees working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for this benefit package.
The work location and assignment within a job classification is determined by the District and may be subject to change.
All offers of employment will be contingent upon the availability of funds and approval by the Board of Trustees.
The Riverside Community College District is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the need to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. For more information, contact (951) 222-8039.
The Riverside Community College District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (1) of Section 422.6 of the California Penal Code, or any other status protected by law. This holds true for all District employment opportunities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX Officer/Section 504/ADA Coordinator. Harassment of any employee/student with regard to ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (1) of Section 422.6 of the California Penal Code, or any other status protected by law, is strictly prohibited. The Title IX Officer, Section 504/ADA Coordinator for the District is Dr. Lorraine Jones 3801 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone Number is: (951) 222-8039.
SALARY: Salary grades consist of nine steps. A new employee is normally placed on Step 1 of the grade. Changes in step placement take place on the first day of the first month following the anniversary date of attaining permanent classified employee status until the maximum of the grade is reached.
HOLIDAYS: There are 13 holidays observed each year. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months.
VACATION: Employees are granted 12 days of vacation per year through the first five years of service to the District; 15 days after completion of five continuous years of service to the District; 20 days after completion of ten continuous years of service to the District; and 22 days after completion of 15 continuous years of service to the District. This computation is based on full-time, twelve-month employment. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months.
SICK LEAVE: One day of sick leave for each month of service is granted. This is based on full-time, twelve-month
employment. A pro-rata reduction will be made for employees working less than full-time and less than twelve
months. There is no limit to the number of days of sick leave which may be accrued.
FRINGE BENEFITS: The college provides a health and welfare benefit package for employees and legal qualifying dependents. Those employees working less than full-time and less than twelve months will receive a pro-rata share of the benefit package. The dollar value of the package is a subject of negotiation between the District and the Bargaining Unit. Employees working less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for this benefit package.
The work location and assignment within a job classification is determined by the District and may be subject to change.
All offers of employment will be contingent upon the availability of funds and approval by the Board of Trustees.
The Riverside Community College District is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the need to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. For more information, contact (951) 222-8039.
The Riverside Community College District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (1) of Section 422.6 of the California Penal Code, or any other status protected by law. This holds true for all District employment opportunities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX Officer/Section 504/ADA Coordinator. Harassment of any employee/student with regard to ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (1) of Section 422.6 of the California Penal Code, or any other status protected by law, is strictly prohibited. The Title IX Officer, Section 504/ADA Coordinator for the District is Dr. Lorraine Jones 3801 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501. Telephone Number is: (951) 222-8039.
Work Hours/Work Days for Classified and Hourly Positions Only:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Tuesday 9:30am-6:00pm, Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm
Required Applicant Documents:
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Cover Letter
Other Document:
Optional Applicant Documents:
Letter of Recommendation 1
Associate or Equivalent Transcript
Bachelors or Equivalent Transcript
Masters or Equivalent Transcript
Associate or Equivalent Transcript
Bachelors or Equivalent Transcript
Masters or Equivalent Transcript
Other Document:
Effective Employment Date:
Anticipated Start Date: January 2026
Application Deadline:
11-05-2026
Special Comments:
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IMPORTANT NOTICES:
Only electronic, on-line applications are accepted. All supporting materials, required or optional, must also be in electronic formats and attached to the electronic, on-line application when applying. Supporting materials are only accepted as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or Microsoft Word files and must be less than 2 MB in size.
An application will not be considered complete unless all Required Documents are electronically attached to the application by the Application Deadline date. An incomplete file may subject the candidate to disqualification.
Paper applications and supporting materials WILL NOT be accepted!
Letters of reference must be non-confidential and submitted electronically when applying on-line.
Interested candidates must apply by the deadline listed above by 8:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
The Riverside Community College District does not require testing at the initial application filing period. As you progress through the selection process, you may be required to perform a job-related test based on the needs of the work area for which you are being considered.
The District will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicant should contact Human Resources and Employee Relations at (951) 222-8595 for assistance.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
Application Types Accepted:
Classified/Management/Confidential Application