1487 Financial Aid Specialist

City College of San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional Days Off with Pay

RHCTF contribution

Job summary

City College of San Francisco seeks a Financial Aid Specialist (Permanent-Exempt) to assist students with federal, state, and institutional aid applications, verification, and eligibility determinations at the Ocean Campus. The role requires office presence, with potential off-site locations and varied shifts.

The ideal candidate will manage document verification, aid disbursements, and compliance with federal/state regulations while delivering excellent student service.

Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Developmental Psychology, Counseling, Social and Behavioral Sciences or related field from an accredited college or university; AND ;
• One year of verifiable work experience in federal and state financial aid programs, advising, evaluating eligibility, and awarding students.
• Substitution: Work experience in a financial aid program may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of financial aid materials may be required.

Responsibilities

• Acts as liaison to business office, Admissions and Records, Counseling Department and faculties for communicating financial aid information.
• Assists with retention support for student success and outreach activities.
• Conducts trainings, webinars, and conferences for updates on financial aid regulations.
• Manages front counter processes and handles student inquiries about financial aid.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Public speaking

Financial aid knowledge

Banner System experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Banner System

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Filing Deadline: Friday November 13, 2026
POSITION RE-POSTED FOR BROADER APPLICANT POOL! PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT RE-APPLY!
Employees who are current, Permanent-Exempt, Full Time, Full Year 260 days in Class 1487 Financial Aid Specialist with City College of San Francisco qualifies to be considered as an internal transfer candidate. Internal Transfer applicants must submit an application according to the application procedure identified above AND indicate on the letter of interest that they are applying as an internal transfer candidate.

Salary Steps 1-5
$ 39.3000– $ 47.4489 /hourly
$ 81,744 – $98,694 /annually,
The position’s salary placement shall be at the entrance salary step, except as otherwise provided in the SEIU Local 1021 collective bargaining agreement.

Appointment Type: Classified - Permanent-Exempt

Full Time

Hours/Week: 40

Appointment Schedule: Full Fiscal Year (260 Days)

Campus: Ocean Campus

Position Description

Once (1) Permanent- Exempt, Full Time, Full Year 260 days position. Permanent-Exempt. Exempt employees are considered “at will” and serve at the discretion of the appointing officer. NOTE : THIS POSITION IS NOT A REMOTE WORK POSITION AND REQUIRES AN OFFICE PRESENCE.

Under general supervision of the Financial Aid Supervisor or designee, the primary responsibilities for 1487 Financial Aid Specialist includes assisting students and families with financial aid options and processing federal, state and institutional financial aid applications in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations. The incumbent will perform multifaceted and specialized financial aid functions in the initial phase of assisting students with the financial aid process, verification, and eligibility determination. Perform specialized financial aid document verification, data entry, document scanning, and needs analysis work for the Financial Aid Office. Collect, assess, and verify completion of documents necessary for students to complete their financial aid file. Duties include but are not limited to: conducting presentations on or off campus, resolving financial aid questions, helping students resolve discrepancies, processing financial aid awards, reconciling reports and submitting financial aid data to various federal and state agencies.

NOTE : Although, this position will be assigned to the Ocean Campus, it may require working at various off-site financial aid office locations, various shifts – mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.

Job Duties

1. Acts as liaison to the business office, Admissions and Records office, Counseling Department and faculties for the purpose of communicating financial aid information and resolving discrepancies.
2. Assists with retention support (e.g. with students ( ALERT ); workshops, meetings, explanation of EOPS responsibility contract, etc.) for the purpose of providing understanding and opportunity for student success.
3. Attends a variety of trainings and conferences (in and out of state), and webinars (e.g. federal regulation conferences, state conferences, staff meetings, etc.) for the purpose of communicating and receiving important information and updates regarding or involving financial aid.
4. Communicates with staff, students, other CCSF Departments, community agencies for the purpose of providing information or guidance and assisting with all CCSF financial aid processes.
5. Conducts confidential interviews with students, parents, potential students regarding the financial aid process (e.g. eligibility, disbursement options, SAP standards, Title IV funds, web grants, etc.) for the purpose of advising, counseling and assisting students/parents with completing federal and state financial aid applications.
6. Determines student eligibility for financial aid (e.g. state and federal grants, work study program, FAFSA , etc.) for the purpose of providing optimal opportunities for students while ensuring compliance with Federal, State and College policies, regulations, guidelines, rules and laws.
7. Determines dependency override (e.g. students experiencing extenuating/unusual life circumstances, etc.) for the purpose of re-evaluating necessary changes in financial aid for student needs.
8. Facilitates a variety of outreach activities (e.g. financial aid orientation workshops at CCSF and other college campus, a variety of veteran eligibility processes, etc.) for the purpose of communicating important information to students regarding financial aid.
9. Maintains financial aid records in department categorical/federal program funding and funding for students (e.g. student disbursements, necessary student information collected, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and privacy of student financial records in accordance with regulations.
10. Manages front counter processes (e.g. reviewing financial aid applications, collecting, assessing forms; maintaining and organizing publications and bulletin boards, answering student inquiries, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring accurate and complete communication for all front counter visitors.
11. Monitors student records for a variety of issues (e.g. overpayment, exceeding eligibility limits, status changes, SAP , etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of reported information, availability of funds, and compliance with established financial guidelines and program policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
12. Operates financial aid software applications (e.g. updates, data input troubleshooting, state and federal online systems, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring efficient operations in compliance with related regulations.
13. Processes and oversees federal/state financial aid program processes (e.g. grants, loans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that disbursements are made in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
14. Resolves financial aid process discrepancies, conflicting information, and verification for the purpose of ensuring students receive up-to-date information and full benefits of financial aid.
15. Serves as a resource (e.g. outside agencies, other colleges, other CCSF Departments, etc.) for the purpose of serving as resource, explaining processes to other employees and student workers in the department, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements.
16. Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Developmental Psychology, Counseling, Social and Behavioral Sciences or related field from an accredited college or university; AND ;
• One (1) year of verifiable work experience in federal and state financial aid programs, advising, evaluating eligibility, and awarding students. Experience must have included preparing and maintaining a wide variety of documents and reports, public contact, checking and reviewing documents for completeness, and performing mathematical computations.
• Substitution: Work experience in a financial aid program as described in #2 above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Note: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of financial aid materials may be required.
• College Work Study and Student Lab Aide experience with the District will be considered/applied as qualifying experience per an agreement made between the District and SEIU . This agreement will allow District students to take advantage of employment opportunities.

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong interpresonal communication skills.
• Public speaking experience.
• Knowledge of federal and state student financial aid programs and application process.
• Knowledge of federal and state student financial aid regulations.
• Direct experience with financial aid packaging, verification procedures, and student aid eligibility guidelines.
• Four years of financial aid experience preferably from higher education institution.
• Experience in serving students from economically disadvantage backgrounds.
• Two years of Banner System experience.

Benefits & Perks

1. Additional Days Off with Pay. As stipulated in the appropriate bargaining agreements and board resolutions, classified employees working full year (260 days/year) work schedules are granted, as paid days off, the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, as well as an additional five (5) paid days off during spring break. Eligible school-term-only ( STO ) employees who are not scheduled to work the designated days between Christmas and New Year’s Day shall be granted three (3) paid days off to be scheduled by mutual agreements between the employee and supervisor. Eligible school-term-only ( STO ) employees who are not scheduled to work the days designated as Spring Break will not be paid for these days off.

2. New employees hired on or after October 1, 2013, will contribute 2% of salary to the San Francisco Retiree Health Care Trust Fund ( RHCTF ).

ADA Statement

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in this hiring process should contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail] to make the necessary arrangements. Please be aware that verification of a covered disability under the ADA may be required.

Selection Procedure/Conditions of Employment

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine applicants’ qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the City College of San Francisco to provide all persons with equal employment and educational opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, gender, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, disability or AIDS / HIV status, medical conditions, gender identity, or status as a Vietnam-Era veteran. These categories specifically include status as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning person in any District program or activity. For further information, contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail] .

Posting Number: CS00391P

Job Open Date: 08/20/2026

Job Close Date: 11/13/2026

Contact: Jennifer Huynh

Contact Phone/Extension: .

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Supplemental Questions

• * Do you possess a combination of education and experience equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in Development Psychology, Counseling, Social and Behavioral Sciences or a related field from an accredited college or university?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How many years of full-time verifiable work experience do you possess in federal and state financial aid programs, advising, evaluating eligibility, and awarding students. Experience must have included preparing and maintaining a wide variety of documents and reports, public contact, checking and reviewing documents for completeness, and performing mathematical computations?
  • I have none of this experience.
  • I have less than one year (less than 2000 hours) of this experience.
  • I have at least one year (minimum 2000 hours) but less than two years (less than 4000 hours) of this experience.
  • I have at least two years (minimum 4000 hours) but less than three years (less than 6000 hours) of this experience.
  • I have at least three years (minimum 6000 hours) but less than four years (less than 8000 hours of this experience.
  • I have at least four years (8000 hours) but less than four years of this experience.
  • I have at least five years (10000 hours) or more of this experience.
• * Do you possess strong interpersonal and communication skills?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you possess excellent writing and editing skills as well as public speaking skills?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have general knowledge of federal and state student financial aid programs and application process?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you possess the knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have direct experience with financial aid packaging, verification procedures, and student aid eligibility guidelines?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least four years of financial aid experience preferably from higher education institution?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience in serving students from economically disadvantage backgrounds?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least two years of experience using the Banner System?
  • Yes
  • No

[phone] or e-mail at [e-mail]