Assistant Director

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Financial Aid at University of Southern California is seeking an Assistant Director to join our team. The role performs need assessments for students requesting financial aid and provides counseling and guidance on packaging options.

You will review applications for accuracy, maintain documentation, interpret policies, stay current with regulations, and assist with audits and training. The position includes document processing, need analysis, aid coordination, loans, and outreach

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required for consideration.
• Experience with financial aid packaging and need analysis is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal/state regulations governing financial aid is essential.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Perform need assessments and determine packaging options for students.
• Review applications for consistency and certify accuracy of information.
• Maintain thorough file documentation and interpret financial aid policies.
• Assist with audits, trainings, and policy development in the Knowledgebase.
• Engage in outreach activities and participate in on-/off-campus events.

Skills

Financial analysis

Counseling

Need analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SIS system

FAFSA data

CSS Profile

Job description

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Assistant Director to join our team! The Assistant Director performs need assessments for students requesting financial aid. Provides counseling and assistance in matters pertaining to financial aid packaging. Conducts need analysis to determine student financial aid packaging options based on individual case circumstances. Reviews student applications for consistency and completeness, verifies accuracy of student and family reported information, and certifies applications. Maintains accurate and thorough file documentation.

Provides interpretation of financial aid policies and assists in problem-solving. The selected candidate will be expected to maintain currency on financial aid packages, state and federal regulations related to financial aid, and University policies and procedures.

• Document Processing
  • Determine when documents were submitted to the Financial Aid Office (FAO)
  • Understand how documents are received and processed

• Need Analysis and Verification
  • Understand information provided on FAFSA, CSS PROFILE federal income tax returns and W2s, and USC forms
  • Become proficient at processing both Tier 1 and Tier 2 files
  • Review Special Circumstances letters/information presented by families
  • Process Tier 1 Budget, Late, Housing and Computer appeals

• Aid Coordination
  • Analyze the cost of attendance and budget for a student
  • Differentiate between types of aid used to create a financial aid package
  • Add awards to a student's package as directed by a manager

• Loans
  • Identify the different loan programs on SIS
  • Originate Stafford and PLUS loans
  • Troubleshoot issues regarding disbursement of loan funds
  • Assist with SAP or R2T4 as directed by a manager

• Outreach
  • Participate on phone contact shifts
  • Attend FAO events as needed (both on and off campus)

• Compliance and Training
  • Use the FSA Handbook, Dear Colleague Letters, NASFAA resources, etc. to research federal regulations
  • Identify student and program eligibility issues
  • Assist with audits and self-assessments as needed
  • Draft policies and procedures for the Knowledgebase

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Values.

The hourly range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

#LI-AW1

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 0 - 6 months

Minimum Field of Expertise: Financial analysis and evaluation

Job ID REQ20178518

Posted Date 07/30/2026